Hey all, I have finally decided to get rid of my stocko open centre in my VL and upgrade to some two wheel action. I thought I would go with the mini spool option simply because I didnt have $600 odd to consider and LSD. I have now looked into the mini spool option and I can buy a 25 spline spool for $120. The shop that sells the spool have recommend a shop to install the spool and after I rang this particular shop the guy informed me that he wouldnt worry about the 25 spline. Says they snap axles to easily. He said the way to go would be a 28 spline spool. But in order to do that you obviously need to upgrade your axles and what not. So he quoted me about $600 to get setup properly with the 28 spline. Now I would really like to stick with the 25 spline option purely because of the cost. I can get the spool installed for about $200 so that makes $320 fully installed.I was wondering what you guys who are using 25 spline spools think of this. What sort of experiences have you had with yours?? I am only really going to give it good use when it rains. I am not going to be doing heaps of burnouts in the dry, so any advice you guys can offer me would be greatly appreciated. Regards Dave

28 spline is the turbo and 25 is non turbo i think correct me if im wrong guys Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Yeah LTS JET is correct. Depending on the strain put on the axels, tyre width etc. I wouldnt want to use 25 spline axles with a spool. I know some one who has snapped 3 axles, on different ocasions, and they were 28 spline axles.

Yes 25 spline axels will break sooner or later. 28 spline should be fine.

i have a 25 spline spool done by preston autos and diffs, i treat it right(slow u turns and it hasnt busted yet, 3 months old. With bald tyres i thought it would put more stress on the axles to turn, until i got new tyres and i can hardly notice the spool shudder at all when i turn, now its just a chirp. I was in the same 'boat' as you with the lsd not enough money thing. Nothing beats the burnouts you can do with a spool, anyone with a spool will agree with that. For me,the spool is just to keep my car on the road(single spinner had to go-spiderwheel went in it-) im just saving for the lsd and the spool was a good cheap alternative $300 installed

Thanks guys, some good info there. After reading Brents post I think it is fair to say that I am in a similar boat as him. 3 months use and no problems sounds good to me. Like I said earlier right at the moment I cant justify 600 for an LSD or 28 spline setup. I do however have another question. When eventually the 25 spline axle does break, what can I expect? Is the car still driveable? Or will it require imediate attention? If so what sort of repair bill would you be up for to repair a snapped axle? Regards Dave

well i just fixed my mates 25 spline locker last week.it snapped an axle after about 9 months.easy to fix and axles are cheap unlike 28 spline ones. when it snaps you can still get home cause its still driving the other wheel. just keep a look out for axles and pick them up cheap before you need them and you wont have a problem.i say if your handy with a spanner it wont phase you. if your not then it may piss you off big time Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

i inquired about goin 25 spine with minispool but was told its a waste of cash,... in the next 2 weeks im goin 28 spline - minispool and 4.11 gears from a pintara oh yeah i got a VL 5ltr diff for nothing, I got quoted $440 to get it all installed (PDR Diffs in geelong)

Once again, thanks heaps for the info guys. I have got my car booked in on Friday to have the 25 Spline Mini Spool fitted. All up the total install will cost me $320 so I am pretty happy with that. I will let you all know how it goes. Regards Dave

It's a prick to drive home with one broken axle, and you can't drive home if you snap two 25 spline axles like my mate did on the weekend at the drags launching his car. It went Bang, and both snapped like a peice of pie and we all had to find other ways home. lol. Ive driven extremley hard on slicks for years and never had a problem with the 28 spline axles. So yeah do it once right or do it multiple times. Up to you.

will 28 spline axles fit in to a N/A diff?

yes they will, the housings are the same. you will need new bearings though, and some seals in the diff i believe. the reasons you will snap a 25 spline with a minispool are: 1. tight roundabouts/u-turns with big grippy tyres on the back (235's etc on mags) 2. launching hard at lights if you have a lot of traction and power (slicks + 150kw should see a few snappies, even good grippy tyres might do it)

Quote: Originally Posted by VLV8Wagon I cant justify 600 for an LSD or 28 spline setup. do it once, do it right.

I got a 28 spline spool supplied and installed for $240. Cheap as. And fun as.