I have Strange axles that need 5/8 studs, can it be done without super expensive tooling? Boring the holes is no problem but I'm concerned about tapping.

Steve

What does Strange want to do it?

I inquired about it via e mail and they suggested buying new axles.

Of course they do.You might consider bringing your axles to a machine shop for precision.

If you go to a local machine shop make sure he knows what he will be working on. I specifically asked my machine shop if he could do the race axles and he said yes, he did them all the time. When I picked them up he told me about the tools he tore up trying to do the job. I told him that's explicitly why I asked if he could do the job. He said he did the round track axles all the time but mine were the first drag axles he had worked on. He did a good job and held to his cost estimate and I applaud him for that. I recommend letting the guy inspect the axles before he agrees to do the job.

My good friend is a machinist and he told me cutting the holes wasn't an issue but he did not have a tap he was confidant in to cut the threads. I really don't want to buy a $300 tap to thread 10 holes.

The axles are tough. I did them for Dwight after strange told him the same thing. Carbide tooling and a proper tap it can be done.
I think the tap was around $80

I have Mark Williams axles years ago I broke the 1/2 studs I had, i sent them back to Mark Williams and had them redrill the axles and install 5/8 studs and haven`t had a problem since it wasn't expensive. Perhaps Strange could do it for you

If thet wont do it send them over to Mark Williams
or on of the other axle companies.. dont bother to
try it yourself

I'll do some more research, a friend of mine has done his own axles in the past and he has a tap he claims will do the job. I'll let everyone know how it goes. If I end up needing to get axles I'll be narrowing my rear end another 2".

Tried to machine Strange axles by hand one time, only one time. Many years ago. That job is listed in the Strange catalog as part #A1065 for $80.

Just get the new stuff. If you screw them up they will be a hard sell. Just call it a Merry Christmas to me gift...

I have Strange axles that I bought years ago for my Barracuda. Last year I found I broke 1 stud and bent the other 4 on one axle. As I had did business with Moser before I sent them to them to have the holes re drilled for 5/8 studs. Moser called and said the axle flanges were to hard to drill, they didn't know why. So I called Strange, they said ship them, they could do it. Called Moser, asked if they could ship the axles to Strange to avoid shipping back to me then reshipping to Strange, no problem. Moser called Strange and Strange told them they wouldn't accept them as I didn't have an account with them. I asked why that Strange didn't tell me that when I was talking to them? Moser asked Strange the same question and the guy got nasty . So I called Strange back, got an account set up to send the axles back to them. While I was on the phone I questioned again weather they could re drill / tap the hardened flanges. Answer was yes, continuing with the conversation , why don't you check with the machinist who does the work. He came back with [ As long as they haven't been welded on ] I replied that the bearing retainer ring was tack welded on from them. Then came the screaming. WE DON'T DO AXLES WITH BEARINGS ON THEM, [ Moser does ] YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THEM, IF WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU CUT OFF THE RETAINER WE WON'T DO THEM AT ALL. I didn't say it but F U Strange. Called Moser back and just had them ship them back. Installed new ARP 1/2 studs. Moser took all the dimensions from my axles so if I need another set they WILL get the call.

Part #A1065 says "Axles must be sent in with bearings and studs removed".

Strange says "Do NOT weld on an axle".

They won't touch an axle if either instruction is ignored. Doing anything to an axle that has been welded on, or that has been hacked up when the wedding ring is removed, and then sending it back, is a huge liability when the thing breaks.

Following instructions and sending them back to the guy who made them would have made it easy.

I have brought this up before, if you weld (or just tack) on hardened steel it will more than likely break, in 6 months or so. Depending on the amount of heat, and time, it brittles, and failure is on its way.

The pair of Strange axles that are in my car
right now have about a 1/4 turn of twist in
them.. all right near the splines(within
about a 1/2").. still going strong

I bought the axles, retaining axle plate and bearings installed from Strange. They tack welded the retainers on.

Strange welded the wedding rings???

Yep

No I don't think you should do it yourself. Also from some of the other posts didn't realize the flanges would be so hard. Its easy to drill and tap holes that look straight while your doing it to only find out that they are crooked once the stud is installed. Now add in a hardend flange with the need to use a even stronger tap.??? If you have to ask its probably not a job for you.

But if you feel up to the task, Try one hole first, if that turns out perfect, then proceed to the next.