Longfields long term wear on dd/trail rig?

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L

Lebowski

10 Year 15 Year
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Mar 7, 2006
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Anyone know what the durability of the Longfield vs OEM birfield setup on a dd that see's highway use (ex. snow storms). We all know the phenomenal strength increase of Longfields, just wondering how much faster would they wear out for us non-competition guys who put on alot of road miles in 4x4.
I did read that Longfields will wear out faster than OEM in that type of use.
 
Lebowski said:
Anyone know what the durability of the Longfield vs OEM birfield setup on a dd that see's highway use (ex. snow storms). We all know the phenomenal strength increase of Longfields, just wondering how much faster would they wear out for us non-competition guys who put on alot of road miles in 4x4.
I did read that Longfields will wear out faster than OEM in that type of use.
Click to expand...

It's news to me that they will wear out faster? Where did you read that?
 
It seems to be a bigger problem with the 80 series Cruisers, because of the full time 4wd... As for us... unlock the hubs whenever you don't need it, but even if the hubs are locked and your t-case is in 2wd, there would probably be minimal wear on the birfs.

From what I've heard, the longs are a softer steel allowing it to bend a little under stress, instead of snapping like the harder stock birfs.....

I can't answer your question from head on, but I do know of many sets of longs that have seen severe duty for many years and are still rockin'!
 
Even if they do break or wear out wont longfield replace them for free? I have never heard of longs wearing out or even breaking under some extreme cricumstances. just my .02 though
 
I emailed Bobby and he did say they would wear faster - but hard to say how much more. I was just making a friendly enquiry for curiousity sake. I do plan on getting some 30 spline Longfield's for my dd/trail truck.
 
the birfields are only replaced if they fail.. not the axle or the lock out stripping the ends off the birf.
the balls are smaller, to make the bell thicker. so yes they will wear faster.. but come on, stockers last up wards of 300,000 miles.
I have them and am not the least worried about wear. if they break. bobby will replace them. that is it.

for even a DD... do you think DD and trails that your truck will wear them out..??
 
Unless Im missing something the only time a birf moves is in turning (locked hub or not) so how could it wear faster I guess the loading and unloading... I guess that makes sense. So the issue seems to be the smaller bearings not the material, right? I know cryoed ring gears shouldnt be on the drive axle...

I hope cromo is up to high speed constant use otherwise my chromo t-case out put is gonna be pissed
 
4rnr said:
Unless Im missing something the only time a birf moves is in turning (locked hub or not) so how could it wear faster I guess the loading and unloading... I guess that makes sense. So the issue seems to be the smaller bearings not the material, right? I know cryoed ring gears shouldnt be on the drive axle...

I hope cromo is up to high speed constant use otherwise my chromo t-case out put is gonna be pissed
Click to expand...
Yes the smaller bearings...to make a thicker birf wall for those hard rocks:D
 
4rnr said:
Unless Im missing something the only time a birf moves is in turning (locked hub or not) so how could it wear faster I guess the loading and unloading... I guess that makes sense. So the issue seems to be the smaller bearings not the material, right? I know cryoed ring gears shouldnt be on the drive axle...

I hope cromo is up to high speed constant use otherwise my chromo t-case out put is gonna be pissed
Click to expand...

there is a small amount of movement all the time.
even unlocked, in two wheel drive the drag of the grease and oil will turn them. Nothing is ever in perfect alignment, so there is a bit of wobble with the shaft turning even going straight. remember tow in, caster and camber.
it is that tiny small wear area that breaks them, under force, moving the ball up and out of it's happy little home.

the forces on those little balls is incredible. I have duals with soon to be 4.7s in the rear. 36 inch tires. I am shocked that they work at all.
100hp with around 200 to one gearing. Man that is alot of crush force. now you put it at an angle.

maybe one of you math guys can figure it out.

we have the 30 splines, I do still carry spares. but I am not really worried about them breaking or wearing out.
I use grease and just a bit of 80/90, yeh it seeps past the seals a little bit, but I know that they are getting lube. That is not drying out while the knuckle is full of grease. I only use about 1/3 of cup of the oil, just enough so the grease is a bit liquid.
 
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