If all Spoon does is balance the shafts, I don't see how the process could actually strengthen them. Spoon would have to remove material to balance things out, and wouldn't that actually make them a bit weaker?

As for cryo treatment - I've heard good things about that on rotors, of course, but that's iron. You'd have to talk to the cryo companies about their observations on - well, what the heck are the axels made out of, anyway? Steel, I assume. What effect does cryo treatment have on the torsional strength of steel?

 

Race teams use it for engine components as well.

Lance

 

You need a good ol'fashion blacksmith. J/K. I suppose most machine shops could hook ya up. Do some callin.

 

I don't think the Spoon treatment will really help you, Wes, unfortunately. Once the axles have been formed, most of their physical properties have been determined, including fracture point. Maybe heat tempering would help - I really don't remember my materials course all that well.

One thing that I would recommend, however, is having the axles blueprinted to determine whether there are any material flaws or not.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Wesmaster
[B]For those that don't already know, I snapped my back left axle shaft:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=17158

I've been discussing the Spoon axles with a guy from spoon-sports.com, who is a distributor - not the real company.

 

Heat tempering will make the metal harder but also more brittle, not what you want to do.

I wouldn't spoon it if they are only balancing it, it wouldn't do you much good. You can always find people to take your money.


Hugh

 

I haven't seen it yet, but they told me it was just flat out in the middle of the shaft.

Wesmaster

 

Hi, Wes. I've been following your story. I'm not a mechanical engineer but I think that it may have broke due to repeated stress. In other word, axle might have been already twisted due to repeated hard launches previously. It is absolute speculation of mine but if that's the case, your other axle might already be twisted or weaken. If you are sending it to spoon, make sure the other axle is fine. otherwise, it would be waste of money to sending it to them.

If I was in your position, I would consult comtech. If they say spoon is harder axle, I will go for it but if it's not, I don't think its worth it.

I really hope you get your car back soon.

cheers,

 

I asked Comptech about aftermarket axles, all they said was that they expected Kaaz to come out with something "soon"; they were evidently unaware of Spoon's.

FYI, here is the distributors response to asking what the heck they do to the shafts:

[QUOTE]The shafts are balanced by Spoon.

 

Wes:

my vote is for the spoon axle.. no point having a supercharged car you can't enjoy. you'll probably end up spending less in the long run.

did you find out if the spoon balancing actually strengthens the stock axles..?

of coarse after then i'm geussing the weakest link would be the differntial.. but eventually w/ the upgraded parts you'll have a car that can handle the torque of the SC.

i think the axle would still of snapped at 7k or 7.5k rpm if the tires didn't spin.. just because of the amount of torque being put down w/ no where to go.

i don't think you should stress about it on the streets.. that track was really sticky.. anywhere else at 6.5 or 7k rpm your tires will spin.. just my opinion though..