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Kombi auto axle or custom axle
Subarugears - January 19th, 2013 at 01:27 PM

Need to get some short axles for a project.
I heard that Kombi autos have a short axle on one side - anybody got a measurement of the length of one of those?

If not, anyone had custom Kombi axles done in Australia?

Smiley - January 19th, 2013 at 04:34 PM

There's nothing about the Kombi axles being shorter on here, but it has some good info.
http://www.blindchickenracing.com/How_to/CVJoints_Axles/axles_101.htm 

But it does list the Vanagons as having different axle lengths Left to Right on their automatics. Maybe the Auto Kombis are the same.

I know that the Beetle semiautomatics have longer axles than the normal IRS Beetles.


Smiley :)

mackaymanx - January 19th, 2013 at 06:31 PM

Manual 476

Auto Left 457

Auto Right 505

this overall length.

Subarugears - January 19th, 2013 at 09:04 PM

Bugger, not short enough. Thanks anyway Mackaymanx.
I will have to get some custom ones made.

1303Steve - January 19th, 2013 at 09:08 PM

Hi

Are Beetle axles shorter? Kombi CVs fit with an easy mod

Steve

matberry - January 19th, 2013 at 09:26 PM

Type 3 auto are also unequal length, the short being the shortest stock axle.

Subarugears - January 20th, 2013 at 09:07 AM

Nope I need them to be 320. Custom.
Now I nheed someone to make me a proper set.

HappyDaze - January 20th, 2013 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Subarugears
Nope I need them to be 320. Custom.
Now I nheed someone to make me a proper set.

PM sent.

Subarugears - January 21st, 2013 at 09:11 PM

Got it sorted - HappyDaze put me onto someone local in Sydney who makes axles.
Thanks to all for your input - hopefully these will test out awesome and we'll be able to offer them for sale to the world.

nils - January 22nd, 2013 at 05:11 AM

Sounds like someone hs new products brewing:D

HappyDaze - January 22nd, 2013 at 07:23 AM

Just a little tip re. exposed drive shafts......it's important to protect them from rust and damage. Rust-pitting or stone chips can create stress risers, leading to early failure.

If you polish the shafts, and cover them with electrical heat-shrink tubing, it will help. [Not many colours available though, Lee]. Don't be tempted to go for powder-coating, as the temperatures involved may compromise the temper of the steel.

Subarugears - January 22nd, 2013 at 08:59 AM

Don't you mean 'Export' rattle can spray paint?

HappyDaze - January 22nd, 2013 at 09:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Subarugears
Don't you mean 'Export' rattle can spray paint?

Perfect.......if you don't intend to drive the car.

vwo60 - January 22nd, 2013 at 09:56 AM

swayaway make custom axles
http://www.swayaway.com/Axles.php 

Subarugears - January 22nd, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vwo60
swayaway make custom axles
http://www.swayaway.com/Axles.php 


Yes but they don't bother to respond to emails.
A very quick way not to gain any extra business....

dangerous - January 24th, 2013 at 05:21 AM

In Australia I have used ROMAC, SUPERBOOT and ALBINS to make custom axles.
All have had various degrees of 'desire to help' but
they all build a quality product, so may be worth considering.

vlad01 - January 24th, 2013 at 12:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
Just a little tip re. exposed drive shafts......it's important to protect them from rust and damage. Rust-pitting or stone chips can create stress risers, leading to early failure.

If you polish the shafts, and cover them with electrical heat-shrink tubing, it will help. [Not many colours available though, Lee]. Don't be tempted to go for powder-coating, as the temperatures involved may compromise the temper of the steel.


just a hard chemical resistant epoxy will do.

aren't they normally powder coated anyway?

what temps does powder coating get to?

HappyDaze - January 24th, 2013 at 02:26 PM

Some powder coaters aren't too fussy about temperature control. It can creep over 200 degrees C, for 20 minutes or so.

hellbugged - January 24th, 2013 at 03:27 PM

Good idea on the heat shrink Greg.... It's like an up grade on the ole electrical tape trick :)

Subarugears - January 24th, 2013 at 04:22 PM

I think I'll just chrome them :lol:

HappyDaze - January 24th, 2013 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Subarugears
I think I'll just chrome them :lol:

Tell Dave Mawer that's what you want......if you want a LONG lecture on hydrogen embrittlement, etc, etc.

Subarugears - February 5th, 2013 at 03:12 PM

Dave gave me a lecture about surface finish on these axles.....twas a long phone call...

20bkombi - February 5th, 2013 at 09:58 PM

Ive broken a massive amount of kombi axles and more larger commodore axles and none have broken due to the finish, all broke on a change in diameter along the shaft. These were all used. This is a big call but I don't think the paint finish is a big deal at all, not one broke due to chips in the paint. Not criticising just lots and lots of broken shafts, under the lathe. Haha

vlad01 - February 7th, 2013 at 01:46 PM

how did you break them?

The only drive line part I have ever broken was a pinion bearing and first gear in the same box at the same time.