Hot Rods Drilled I beam axle, which would you choose?

I am looking for a chrome drilled I beam axle for my 32. So-Cal, Super Bell. Which would you choose? And why one vs. the other?

Or another brand maybe?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

Have no input other than the fact that I have no issues with my So-Cal Axle.

 

Ford.

 

I like my Super Bell. It's not drilled, but I'm considering one. If memory serves me correctly, I think there was a bad batch of cast axles a year or two ago. Magnum, I think?

 

Ford and a drill bit

 

If between the two, So Cal as it is forged and the Super Bell is cast.

Have you thought about an origonal as previously mentioned?

 

Best axle - Ford
2nd best axle - Chassis Engineering (the only U.S. forge axle being made , I believe)
Anything else, is less than second best.

 

Magnum did have a bad batch of 500 cast axles from China. They were not chromed.

 

Do a search , this has been thrashed to death untold times

 

Call Sid at droppedaxle.com, he's a H.A.M.B. member, get a real Ford axle for the price of a cast China axle.

 

I've sold a lot of Super Bell chromed drilled axles and have had no problems to date. I've also sold several So-Cal drilled chromes with the same result. I used to do CE axles but by the time I had them pre polished then drilled and then finish polished and chromed the handling got to expensive.

 

Henry was on to something:

 

Whether bending or snapping, wouldn't both conditions be catastrophic?

 

Snapping would be a HELL of a lot worse than bending!

 

Which would be worse: a wheel profoundly out of alignment, brakes and steering still attached, or a wheel, and its attendant brake assembly and steering function, completely departing the vehicle?

 

So, closed or open casket funeral? I get what you're trying to say, but every circumstance is different. I think the force to snap an axle would be great. Me, I'd prefer a bent axle over a snapped one, but in the grand scheme of things, the results would probably be the same, catastrophic.

Anyway, we're hijacking the thread with a subject that has been beat to death. The only correct choice is the one each person decides to live with.

 

Ford or nothing for me and any car I will build.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I would imagine it's quite possible one could hit something, bend the axle, and safely navigate the car to a stop, under the right circumstances. Probably wouldn't be my idea of "fun".

 

Let me ask something from a engineering stand point. Don't these i-beam style axles twist and flex? Most probably can't see it, but I swear I have a time or two while being driving. Isn't the twisting ability of a I beam axle preferred with split bones over say a v860 tube axle because it does flex and the v860 cracks? Now ask yourself, do you want a cast axle under your car flexing and twisting?

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Yep.

Nope.

 

I've got a SoCal axle that isn't drilled and along with being Forged it is beefy as all get out. Maybe too beefy for some folks tastes on a fenderless car. I got a deal on it because it had been a "display" unit but never had anything installed on it. By the time I shipped my Model A axle off and had it dropped it and shipped it back I'd have almost twice in it as the one I have and it is going under a car with fenders anyhow.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. The reason for the question is that I have a chrome tube axle, and I love the look of a chrome, drilled I beam. If I were to make a change I would want it to be an informed decision on the different manufacturers out there.

Thanks again,
Glenn

 

I have a drilled so-cal on my 31.Chrome is real good ,appears to be very well made,no problems.

 

Ford. Plenty of HAMBers on here that can hook you up with one. Then get it dropped and drilled. 296V8 did a nice one up for me. Now i have a 33-6 Mor-Drop in my Coupe.

 

Im dropping an A axle for my 28, but Id definatly go with the So Cal or Chassis Engineering forgings. Ive got a cast Magnum which I was going to use but after the failures its getting hung on the wall.

 

I second that...

 

Super Bell cast iron.Ford is forged iron!

 

Have St. Louis cummins make you a custom one

 

you guys are missing his point ...he wants a CHROME drilled I beam axle and wants to know which one is best . obviously if money is no issue . take a 32 heavy axle or any factory FORD beam axle , send it to someone to drop it and make sure caster and camber is set up right ! when they send it back spend a few hours making a mess at the drill press , then send it to someone to polish and chrome it ! then get another job to replenish your savings account !! i'm thinking if money is an issue the so cal axle is way cheaper and from what i have heard it's a good axle!!

jp