[GDG 2337]

We have a respected Metallurgist in my group at work. I sat down with him the other day and we ran the numbers comparing strength to load. Study showed our design was sound and should have survived the entire 2012 competition season. He said calculating fatigue through a snap ring groove isn’t always an exact science and using 2024 in this application was a calculated risk. His question to me, what is my plan for the three that haven’t broke. A steel shaft would be his choice for the application. High strength aluminum without a groove would be better, not ideal. He noted how the drive hub had imprinted on the failed shaft from all the torque reversals in our sport. Looks like we have some steel axle shafts to make before our next event at Kettering.