[Lisa Perez]

Originally Posted by Gdeaver

In the past, our team has used either 5/8" or 1/2" keyed shaft with ball bearing pillow blocks. Pillow blocks are available with a lighter alloy frame instead of cast iron or steel. This year we used the kit of parts method which eliminates the pillow blocks. The 3/8" bolts worked fine. We did use grade 8 bolts though. Allot depends on the hub and bore options that are available for the wheels you chose. This year's game wasn't as abusive as some years games. Don't know if the bolts would have survived some of the massive impacts we have taken in past years .

The 3/8" bolts did work fine. We, however, were told during inspection that after the wear of two regionals, it would be best that we replace the bolts with bolts of stronger steel before championships because the ones the kit provided did have a tendency to warp after a while.

As for 3/8" shafts in general, we've never had a problem with them.