HD axle upgrade?

[drivenbydiscovery]

question is, if i'm running a stock setup (i.e. stock wheels and tires) would i benefit at all from upgrading the axles to HD axles? what is the weakest link in the disco's drivetrain? and if i did upgrade the axle, would i be setting myself up to break something else (as in, i would have broken an axle, but instead, i blew out the diff)?

i know this all depends on what type of terrain i would be using it in, so lets say a little of everything (from rocks in moab to sand in mexico, and everything inbetween).

i know this is kind of a vague question ... i am just trying to determine what has the greatest chance of failing offroad. also its 3am and i'm tired of studying pharmacology!

i know i could carry spares with me, but ideally i would like to prevent any problems more than treat them as they arise.

thanks.

dom
97 disco I with "kit"

 

[-OTTO-]

Hello!
If you drive stock wheels and tires no Lift etc you don?t need
HD axel and Diffs.

greets
-OTTO-

 

[drivenbydiscovery]

wow that was fast otto! i'm sorry, i should have mentioned i have a 2 inch lift and warn xd9000i winch. also, the roofrack will be loaded with a spare tire and a couple of jerry cans and kayaks, and the disco will be loaded with gear for 3-4 weeks on the road, and of course people.

over the years i've had my disco, the only thing i have broken while offroading is a CV joint, but it wasn't a critical failure and the only way we knew it was broken is because it was popping around turns. but that was just weekend wheeling type of stuff, now the disco has been retired from daily drive status and i really want to get it into more of an expediton condition, while of course retaining a lot of the stock look (hence no wheel/tire upgrades or crazy lifts or anything ... if i do get stuck, hey, i have a winch).

thanks.

 

[Cherub Rock]

there are several options out there for HD axles... the most common being Salisbury. i think GBR builds axles too (?)

but like Otto said, the Rover axles aren't particularly *weak*... plenty of people throw ARBs in and roll around on 33"s without snapping axles.

if you're stock, like I [was], the weakest point on your drivetrain right now is that damn rotoflex coupling (fancy Rover jargon for your rear driveshaft.) it's rubber and will get torn up quick even in light conditions.

i'd replace that with a ujoint before worrying about your axles.

 

[Cherub Rock]

over the years i've had my disco, the only thing i have broken while offroading is a CV joint, but it wasn't a critical failure and the only way we knew it was broken is because it was popping around turns.
thanks.

Popping? Do you mean clicking on tight turns?

I recently traded my Rover, and it had a clicking (popping?) when you turned it tight. I thought it was bad bushes in the steering linkage...

 

[-OTTO-]

Look at ashcroft-transmisissin.co.uk
Get enough bucks!!!

And pimp up your truck

greets
-OTTO-

 

[-OTTO-]

By the way got a 96 TDI 300.with on road 235/85
and off-road 255/85 and have no probs with Diff. and axel!(Till now!????)

greets
-OTTO-