What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Think I broke an axle yesterday.

L

LIFSVR7

Registered Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Posts
51
Reaction score
0
Location
NW Indiana
Well, I was gettin all sh**ty in a sand bowl... not too bad, cuz I was still in 2wd.. well bad part was when I got out on the street, I took off at a stop sign, and then !CLINK! NOTHING- drive shaft is good (just redone), new ring and pinion. And when I am underneath I can spin the driveshaft by hand like it is neutral... Any suggestions?? Not too sure what to look for... or where to start... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif
 
Do you have the stock axles? If so, then a wheel would come off if an axle broke. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif It's one of the "features" of a semi-floating axle. Time to pull the diff cover and see what parts are laying in the bottom of the housing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
well since u said nothing about one tire walking away from the truck i'm gonna say u basically fragged yur differential. pull the cover and take pics we love carnage! /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
<font color="red"> So the tires always flyoff?? /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif I think the axles are the stock ones... so driving it would be a bad idea huh?? I don;t think its the gears though, cuz when the shaft is turning there is no crunching/grinding/etc. so is it possible that the axle just hasn't worked its way off?? </font> /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif
 
If it's an open differential there is a 99% chance you blew the spider gears because if you broke an axle you'd have a tire wandering in directions other than your planned route.

Spider gears are fun...
spiders.jpg
 
[ QUOTE ]
So the tires always flyoff??

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep. If you break an axle shaft on a semi-floating rear end (like the 10-bolt, 12-bolt, or 14-bolt semi-floater), then the wheel on the side with the broken shaft will start coming out from under the truck. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif The only thing that keeps those axles from sliding out of the housing is a C-clip that's on the very end of each shaft, inside the diff.

I think that wrathORC probably hit the nail squarely on the head. Those 2 little spider gears are what transfer torque from the ring gear to the side gears. If those broke, then you'll get no power to the wheels. But I also wouldn't be out driving around in front-wheel-drive mode, just in case one of the broken gears decides to get jammed between a side gear and the case. That would be ugly at speed! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Yeah, it is ugly. I lost my first spider gear at the 1.5 hour mark of a 8 hour trip. The second one went at about 6 hours. The next two hours were spent going 60mph on the expressway (in front wheel drive).

I ended up with a banged up pinion gear and some munched spider gear halves. As you can see the carrier didn't like the abuse.

Don't run it unless you have to.

carriercarnage2.jpg
 
damn, what gear ratio was that? ring gear looks pretty thin, must have been high...
 
<font color="red"> Well, you were RIGHT.. I did poke around and found that exact same thing!! /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif I have a pic, but can't get it up on here... As for replacing.. what should I do... the carrier isn't banged up lke yours- but 2 spiders are gone... /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif </font> I was thinking of a locker or posi gear... but I am definately LOW budget... I saw an eaton for about 250... and how hard is it to do...???</font>

ps... It wrecked my diff cover too!!! /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif
 
Go to the junkyard and get the spiders, side gears, washers, and pin. You can go to the dealer and buy new ones (~$100, $40 being the pin). You can buy a locker or limited slip.

As for a locker, the Lock-right requires a pin but I don't know about the rest.

I know low budget, that's for sure. I dented my box, smashed a taillight, mangled a tailpipe, bent my pushbar, bent my bumper, dented the right front fender, dented/mangled the left front fender, and monkeyed up my driver rocker. I'm done fourwheeling with this truck. I'm going to fix it and it'll probably never see much use offroad again. Fourwheeling is fun, but not that fun.
 
If you have a factory open differential then I would say throw a lunchbox locker in it. A lockrite or similar. They are pretty cheap (usually under $300). It replaces your spider gear (which you destroyed) and it will solve your open differential problem too.
 
How hard is it to do in a nutshell... do I have to take the whole thing apart?? Ring gear/ pinion... because, don't you have to shim it up to make sure it aligns?? I just spent 300 in labor getting it put all in... or can I just take it out put in the lockrite and slide it back in??? /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif
 
<font color="red"> Ok.. now I just spoke with a guy at Richmond Gear... (Lockrite), and the only problem I may have is that under ANY power it locks up, and makes turning a problem, right?? So I was thinking that if that is what it does I sould just get a FULL SPOOL and be done with it right?? O
 
<font color="red"> Ok.. now I just spoke with a guy at Richmond Gear... (Lockrite), and the only problem I may have is that under ANY power it locks up, and makes turning a problem, right?? So I was thinking that if that is what it does I sould just get a FULL SPOOL and be done with it right?? Or what about an Eaton Posi unit?? Or is it the same... I am supposed to have limited slip in it already... </font> /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif
 
The locker will release the outside axle during a turn, as long as you aren't standing on the throttle. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif It behaves quite differently from a full spool.
 
After watching lockers work this weekend, they don't lock up when turning unless you're REALLY on the stupid pedal. That means at full lock you have to be pushing the pedal pretty hard to get it to lock up. Under conditions when one tire doesn't start to spin noticeably faster than the other it stays disengaged. If one tire starts to spin they seem to lock up real quick... but if you're maintaining speed it doesn't.

I've seen a full spool in the front in action and I'd have to say it's a bad idea. It's really hard to turn on the steering box and frame.

I am told that anything is better than open. I have one person urging me to get a limited-slip for the front and it does work great in their Jeep compared to other Jeeps with lockers... but what about a truck where 70% of its weight is on the front tires?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom