[Fot] detroit locker

[Bill Babcock]

If only pushing around the paddock was all of it. Welding the rear end  
certainly makes a Southwick axle almost mandatory--lots of added  
stress in the axles. Also makes it hard to be fast, since you have to  
drive around the negative handling characteristics. I know, I know,  
you guys with welded diffs are going to say they are just wonderful  
for handling, that's why all the modern race cars use them ;) .   
Personally, I like to be able to get off the gas when I want to, not  
when the car will permit it.

A locker is a close second on stress in the axles--might even surpass  
it when it first locks, properly set up LSD is third, quaife fourth,  
and open diff is easiest on the axles.

As far as uprated axles go, they, plus uprated hubs, will make the  
axles last longer. But when they break, you still go for a ride. If  
your car is light enough, and you drive precisely enough, and your  
rear end gentle enough, and your tires slippery enough, then you might  
never need a southwick, but you still should crack check everything at  
least every other year.