I broke a newfield samurai axleshaft a few weeks ago (see pics).  It really shouldn’t have broken when it did…the tire wasn’t bound up on the frame/spring/body/rocks.  I’m just running 33’s, stock diff gears, and 4.16 tcase and ~80HP VW diesel engine.  Just wondering how many of you out there who are running the newfields have broken one.  CV Unlimited gave me a new one no questions asked, but it was still a pain to change out and something I don’t really want to do on a regular basis.  It would have been near impossible on the trail.  Did I get a defective shaft or what?  Yeah, I know I should stuff a set of toy axles under there…this is getting me one step closer.

Newfields should not brake on 33's! I have broken two Newfields myself and my buddy Woody has broken two as well bith running 35's. From what I have heard (All hear-say) the Newfields have been hardened too much and are TOO BRITTLE and all shatter like in the pic's you have shown. About 6 months ago I ordered a set of Trail Tough's NEW CTM axle shafts made from 300M which is a much better material and the axle works with the Newfield birfields. So far on my Zuk with 35" Boggers and a 2.0 liter I have not been able to break them where previously I broke two of the Newfields. Brent does not advertise that he has them, but give him a call and see if he has any CTM 300M shafts left on the shelf. If not I have a long side shaft in EC I was intending on using as a trail spare.

Sean DeVinney

Aftermarket4x4:  Thanks for the info.  I'll give Brent a call and see if he has any of the CTM shafts left. 
I didn't take any pics of the rest of the shaft, but it broke into about a hundred little pieces (too brittle, like you said).  I break parts all the time; but I was just a little frustrated at buying a $500 set of axles that *should* work with my setup and then breaking one after a few months.

Hi sewerzuk,

A friend of a friend over here in NZ bought some of those too and the axles broke as well. The upgraded CV's are holding up OK though ( when I heard last ). He got some axles made locally and it is fine now. It would appear as though the axles have not been heat treated correctly
Good luck

ZeusZuki

I was wondering how the Newfields have been holding up.  I guess I will stick with my Calmini shafts for now.   

I didn't break a Newfield, but I did twist the splines on the long side shaft running 33's.  I'm sure it would have busted before long if I would have kept running it.