How much does it cost to repair busted halfshafts?

[Fred97GT]

What's the likelyhood of breaking a halfshaft launching on DRs. My car is making about 440 rwhp and I have a friend with a set of drag radials that will fit. I am trying to find out how dangerous launching on drag radials with the stock IRS is, and how much it would cost in parts if I had to replace a halfshaft.

 

[tom's_03SVT]

depends what RPM you launch at and how much wheel hop you have. you have a better chance for breaking your diff cover. Have you bought a IRS brace yet?

Tom

 

[Fred97GT]

No, the suspension is totally stock. I looked at Steeda and all I found were some poly bushings. Where can I get an IRS brace?

The wheel hop is bad now on Nitto 555s, I have to totally baby it in 1st gear and a good part of 2nd or it will break loose and start to hop.

 

[tom's_03SVT]

billetflow has a nice IRS brace. thats the one i have. the bushins will make little to no difference. you need better shocks and springs for starters maybe some coil overs.

Tom

 

[Fred97GT]

Tom, first off thanks for your advice.

Would you say that the diff cover is more likely to be a problem than the halfshafts? IRS brace seems to be a bit misleading because that makes me think of something more like this:

http://secure-order-area.net/paulsh...ge=524010a&type=&frame=&cart_id=6732232_30918

Does the billetflow piece achieve the same results as the one from Paul's High Performance above, or are they two different things? The only reason I ask is because they're both called IRS braces.

 

[Uncle Meat]

I've seen a bone stock '03 break a half-shaft while still on the stock F1 tires. Then again there are snakes running around with 100+ runs on the stock shafts with DR's and have never broke one! Wheel hop is the common denominator in most of the failures. Prevent wheel hop and your half shafts will live a longer life. There really is no way to predict how long the stock IRS will last though. Much of it depends on your skill with the clutch and your ability to get out of the throttle the millisecond you sense any wheel hop. If you do break a HS your local Ford service center will gladly sell you a new one for around $239.99 which doesn't cover installation of course.

To help combat wheel hop start by getting some better (stickier) rubber than the stock F1's. Next I'd look into MJ's (now Billetflow's) rear girdle support. Not only does this stiffen up the rear which will help alleviate hop, it will also help prevent blowing out the rear diff cover. Read about it -> HERE. The PHP Pinion Support Brace is a good part and will also assist in reducing wheel hop. As mentioned by others poly bushings have showed limited success at reducing hop and most all agree the installation of them is a major PITA.

That's about all you can do to protect the stock half shafts.

U.M.