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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: neale_rs on August 21, 2013, 08:40:27 AM

Title: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 21, 2013, 08:40:27 AM

My axle shaft yokes made contact on the last wheeling trip. This had not shown up before on other wheeling trips.  My guess is that it was the first time that the wheels were turned so sharply with the front locker engaged.   The marks can be felt, so they were not just light rubbing.  It is pretty surprising since my steering stops are adjusted to keep the 33s from rubbing on the frame.  Not the best pics (two were taken at night with a flashlight) but you can see the marks:

Any recommendations?

(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/c56522730d22dd1eed00dcd17a063c25_zpsaf0c2709.jpg) (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/neale_rs/media/95%20YJ/c56522730d22dd1eed00dcd17a063c25_zpsaf0c2709.jpg.html)

(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/edbacc13af7c3950beff34f147f47a3b_zps233d697a.jpg) (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/neale_rs/media/95%20YJ/edbacc13af7c3950beff34f147f47a3b_zps233d697a.jpg.html)

(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/neale_rs/95%20YJ/499db2a66a3b63dd134cb35e389211d0_zpsa1a01bdf.jpg) (http://s138.photobucket.com/user/neale_rs/media/95%20YJ/499db2a66a3b63dd134cb35e389211d0_zpsa1a01bdf.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: Jeffy on August 21, 2013, 01:15:15 PM
How about an arrow or your finger pointing to it?  Do you mean that shiny spot in the diff side of the axle yoke in the last pic?  Cycle the steering and turn the wheel by hand and see what hits and when.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 21, 2013, 01:53:52 PM
Yes it's the shiny lines on inner part of the diff side yoke.  These yokes were covered with dirt and grease, nothing should be shiny.  It doesn't usually hit, even with the steering up against the stops.  It seems like it was forced into hitting by some maneuver on the trail. Very strange.  The ball joints are new.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: FourbangerYJ on August 21, 2013, 02:19:44 PM
Adjust your steering stops out a bit. You loose a bit of turning radius but you won't have the yokes banging each other.  :trollface:
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 21, 2013, 02:26:11 PM
They are already adjusted out a bit from the stock position to keep the 33s from rubbing the frame.  That is why it seems so strange that the yokes would rub.  It seems the yokes are not designed correctly.    I'll adjust the stops out a bit more, seems like the best overall thing to do.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: FourbangerYJ on August 21, 2013, 04:21:47 PM
They are already adjusted out a bit from the stock position to keep the 33s from rubbing the frame.  That is why it seems so strange that the yokes would rub.  It seems the yokes are not designed correctly.    I'll adjust the stops out a bit more, seems like the best overall thing to do.

Thanks.



Maybe there is some extra meat on the inside or ears of those shafts. I don't like the idea that they are touching at full turn.
I had to weld a washer on to my steering stops to adjust them when I was running a 30.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 21, 2013, 04:34:19 PM
Sure doesn't seem right.  I'll adjust the stops out a bit more.  Thanks

Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: Jeffy on August 21, 2013, 10:50:18 PM
Maybe there is some extra meat on the inside or ears of those shafts. I don't like the idea that they are touching at full turn.
I had to weld a washer on to my steering stops to adjust them when I was running a 30.
Yeah, the pressure could cause something else to break.

Who's shafts are those?  If it's not a lot of contact then you might consider taking a die grinder and polishing both sides.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 22, 2013, 06:11:44 AM


They are from Alloy USA.   The Jeep is at a shop getting the shackle hanger fixed so I can't check it right now but I'm starting to think a steering stop adjustment bolt might have fallen off, since this had never happened before.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: sharpxmen on August 22, 2013, 07:40:12 AM

They are from Alloy USA.   The Jeep is at a shop getting the shackle hanger fixed so I can't check it right now but I'm starting to think a steering stop adjustment bolt might have fallen off, since this had never happened before.

i'd think you would hit the leafs with the tire before this should happen - maybe it's a u-joint that went bad and that allows for more play than usual
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 22, 2013, 07:55:30 AM
The marks can be seen on both sides.  I'll have to investigate more carefully once the YJ is back from the shop.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: sharpxmen on August 22, 2013, 07:59:51 AM
can it be that the Alloys allow for less steering angle? I'd call them and ask (not sure how good they are with answering technical questions since they got bought by Omix though).
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 22, 2013, 09:46:13 AM
That would be one way to protect the u-joint and allow for more material for strength but they should warn the customer about it.  I'll see if I can contact them although I try to avoid long distance calls from here, maybe they will answer by email.

Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: sharpxmen on August 22, 2013, 08:43:31 PM
That would be one way to protect the u-joint and allow for more material for strength but they should warn the customer about it.  I'll see if I can contact them although I try to avoid long distance calls from here, maybe they will answer by email.

i can try and call them tomorrow if i have some free time, i'll let you know if i did
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: Jeffy on August 22, 2013, 09:27:39 PM
That would be one way to protect the u-joint and allow for more material for strength but they should warn the customer about it.  I'll see if I can contact them although I try to avoid long distance calls from here, maybe they will answer by email.


I can't see that as a selling point at all.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: jfrabat on August 23, 2013, 08:24:59 AM
When I replaced my axle shafts, I had the same problem; I had to put some washers and adjust the steering stops.  Since I had 31's at the time, there was no rubbing on the frame, but the yokes would make contact.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 23, 2013, 09:11:11 AM
This is interesting.  What brand shafts did you install?

Thanks
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: jfrabat on August 23, 2013, 09:17:47 AM
This is interesting.  What brand shafts did you install?

Thanks

G2
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 23, 2013, 09:21:22 AM
They probably all come from the same place anyway!  :lol2:

I'll just adjust a bit more and check for rubbing.  Thanks
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: sharpxmen on August 23, 2013, 07:55:33 PM
sorry neale, i had a full day and didn't get a chance to call them.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 23, 2013, 08:22:42 PM
No problem.   After what jfrabat posted it makes more sense.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 23, 2013, 08:40:51 PM
Well, here is the answer.  They do allow less steering angle. 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/459644-reduced-turning-radius-w-chromo-shafts-alloy-usa.html
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: sharpxmen on August 23, 2013, 09:43:15 PM
sound like you can take some material off to get more clearance but from the ears side, little bit there would probably give you back the difference so you don't have to add more shims under the stop.
Title: Re: Axle shaft yoke contact
Post by: neale_rs on August 23, 2013, 10:10:58 PM
That would be the best solution. Might get around to it sooner or later. Maybe some 35s would solve the problem  :pot: