No. We are a true manufacturer, and sell to our distributors worldwide. Please call toll-free (888) 522-2953 and ask for your nearest distributor. Feel free to E-mail us at Superior Axle
Do we make custom axle shafts?
Here we must define custom. We manufacture axle shafts in production runs, usually 50 or more at a time. Many of our axle shafts are different than stock, larger diameter, more splines, different bolt circle etc. These could be considered "custom". We do not, however make a pair of axle shafts specific to a custom housing or a specific length. We suggest for a pair of custom axle shafts you try Currie Enterprises, or Dutchman Motorsports. Both companies finish an axle blank we make for them to your custom lengths. You get our material and heat treating, but get 2 axles custom finished quickly. The only thing they can not do is "roll" the splines, as the axle blank is already hardened. They must cut the splines.
Why do some brands of gears and axles cost so much less than others?
Well here is the truth some don't want you to know. Many companies are importing bulk generic gears and axles from India, Pakistan, Korea and elsewhere. These products are made from inferior material, heat treated poorly, and are basically not worth the box they're shipped in. In fact, several well known companies are selling a no-name WELDED axle for the Model 20 Jeep. It isn't even forged from a solid piece of steel, but welded together!
What is the proper way to set up gears?
The MOST often asked question! And the toughest answer. I am working on a page / instruction sheet / book that someday will answer this completely but in a user friendly format. Until then...We agree with Dana Spicer, GM and all the major gear manufacturers regarding proper set-up. The GEAR PATTERN, or contact pattern, is the FINAL determination of proper set-up. Whether you use a pinion depth setting tool (I don't like them) or start with the original shim (most high quality gears will set-up within .005 of the factory shim) or grab a shim from experience, you MUST read the contact pattern properly to determine whether you are too deep or too shallow on pinion depth. Stay tuned for an depth page on this subject.
What is the difference between "rolled" splines and "cut" splines?
The best way to make an axle is to forge, machine, spline and THEN heat treat. When done this way, the spline can be rolled, which is a process that cold forms the splines under tons of pressure. This results in superior grain structure as well as involute splines, which are the correct shape for factory side gears. The axle is then heat treated, resulting in splines that are up to 35% STRONGER than cut splines. Some applications require cutting or hobbing splines, 19 spline axles for instance. The best way to handle these situations is to hob the spline before heat treating, resulting in a spline almost as strong as rolled.