Tapered vs straight diff axles

[Billbo]

Hi all. I am asking if anyone knows if there is any differences in the two types of axle shafts used in a Borg Warner diffs in early model Valiants. I have seen tapered shape where the shaft taperes from large diameter at the hub end to the smaller diameter at the spline end. And the other type of axle shaft is the same diameter from hub all the way to just before the splines where it is machined down to the spline diameter. The straight shaft looks square as the tapered looks conical. Does anyone know which one would be stronger? They both take the same sealed ball bearing.
Regards
Billy d...

 

[Billbo]

Hi all. I am asking if anyone knows if there is any differences in the two types of axle shafts used in a Borg Warner diffs in early model Valiants. I have seen tapered shape where the shaft taperes from large diameter at the hub end to the smaller diameter at the spline end. And the other type of axle shaft is the same diameter from hub all the way to just before the splines where it is machined down to the spline diameter. The straight shaft looks square as the tapered looks conical. Does anyone know which one would be stronger? They both take the same sealed ball bearing.
Regards
Billy d...

Just reposting this just in case anyone has any info for me on this. I didn't get any replies so I apologise if I am repeating myself.
Regards.
Billy D...

 

[65 Dartman]

You might get an answer over at MoparMarket.com as I doubt any US members have had any experience with the BW axles. Good luck on your search!

 

[nm9stheham]

FWIW... I raced Opels with all of the taper in near to the diff and they could twist the thin portion of the axle between the taper end and the diff splines. That design concentrates the stress in the thin portion of the axle in a short distance, and actually raises the stress level. A longer thin portion of the axle will lower the stress in the thin part.

But that is just general design info. A longer thin part will be less stable and may bow or 'corkscrew' up easier under severe torque, so take the above with a grain of salt. This may be why Opel pushed the axle taper in close to the diff.

On your axles, is the one with the step near to the diff a tapered step or a square step? The latter is obviously more prone to breaking.