LSJ vs LNF axles
 

I see threads on occasion asking if they can run LNF axles on LSJ or the other way around. i'm actually swapping to LNF axles on my car but it is not a direct swap, there's more to it than just changing axles.

But i figured while i'm at it i'll take measurements and show you guys how they're different.

As we all know, both cars use the F35 transmission or MU3 code. so both transmission shafts are the same spline count and diameter, the difference comes in the main shaft and hub shaft.

Now the axles with the blue boots are actually DriveShaftShop level 2 axles for the lsj, but because they are direct replacement the only difference will be in the material used. And possibly the main shaft diameter, not 100% sure i'll find out when i measure my stock ones. But even still, the LNFs are still larger

LSJ in the middle. LNFs on either side.

Attachment 44723
Attachment 44724
Attachment 44725
Attachment 44726

Just by looking at them you can tell how much larger the LNF axles are. and these are just my measurements. but i'd still say its +/- 0.5mm

being the same on the transmission side, both axles are:
27 spline count
30mm diameter at the splines
35mm diameter at the lip before the case (shown in picture 3)

Now the differences.
The LSJ axle has a main shaft diameter of just 25mm. (measuring a DSS axle, oem is still the same i believe)
The LNF axle has a main shaft diameter of 34mm.

The LSJ hub spline count is 33, with a shaft diameter of 26.5mm
The LNF hub spline count is 30, with a shaft diameter of 32mm


One last comparison. LNF axles in LNF hubs. Top looks like it doesn't fit just because it's dark, it fits lol.

Attachment 44727

This however does not fit. LSJ axle in an LNF hub.

Attachment 44728



Can you run LNF axles in an LSJ though? Yes you can. You can do it with or without ABS as well. For me i didn't care about abs and just did a straight swap of LNF control arms, hubs, knuckles, and axles. In order to maintain ABS you will need to run either the GMPP wheel hop kit, which utilizes a combination of both cars i believe. Or run the Powell Race Parts swap and have everything custom machined. But as far as a direct swap goes, no it's not going to happen.

nice write up, i hope this gets to be seen by all those that make threads about this same question

lol me too. but we both know that's not gonna happen.

good info

thanks

Nice thread Mark.

LSJ axles are like toothpicks compared to the LNF's.... wow!!

oh yeah. they just don't compare.

Damn wish i could just swap em right in. Great writeup man

Nice comparison Mark!

Wasn't there some talk of using grand am hubs on the lsj in order to fit the bigger axles w/abs or is there still some machining needed.?

that's the powell swap

awesome! good to know!

Would you happen to know the part # on the bigger beefier axles? Or where you purchased them.
I've been trying to get some and cant find them anywhere...I dont need the kit, just the axles. I already have the hub an such...

Emailed you back.

are the outer cv joints the same? It might be possible to swap the hub shaft portion of the axle onto the lnf mainshaft. Just a thought.

ZZP now sells the larger axles from the gm wheel hop kit.

They are plug and play for the lsj.

Yeah they've been selling them for a while now, I just like having the larger outer spline. And ABS wasn't really an issue for me. This was really more meant for the people asking "Does anyone really know the differences between our axles?".

sorry if this was said before and I missed it but am I correct in saying the following:

the gmpp lsj upgraded axles are lnf axles modified to fit the lsj hubs?

or are they just beefed up lsj axles?

Nice write up, but I must ask why would you want to step down from a 33 spline to a 30 spline. I am still trying to figure this fwd thing out, but in the rwd world you would want more splines.

bump for this question!

ZZPerformance - GM LSJ Upgraded Axles #GM-10222413 x2

No. The upgraded axles (sold at napa as well) are only slightly larger shafts; not LNF sized.

i'm not talking about those; i'm talking about the ones in the link i posted.

Yea. These are LNF axle shafts fitted with an LSJ hub end.

Yes generally more would be appropriate. It allows for a larger amount or "mass" of the shaft material to remain dedicated to the overall diameter of the shaft before the threads are cut and start removing material. Finer threads also provide more surface area by being able to have more of them. But that is more for a directional change in power applied. Meaning when you have one shaft next to another like so.

Attachment 17299

Or when you have opposing angles like say a 90* inside a differential or rear end. I use that example loosely though because those threads are normally deeper, just depends on material and cut.

But as you can see the LNF axles are almost a full 6mm larger in diameter on the hub splines than the LSJ axles. And they aren't transferring power in the sense of the word that you most find when normally talking about gears and splines, like above. It's just simply resting inside the hub helping the hub turn, at the same time, at the same speed, in the same direction.

IS This possible? I just Got myself a cobalt about a month or so ago and need to swap shafts