Topic: Axle shaft yoke contact

[neale_rs]

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?

[Jeffy]

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.

[neale_rs]

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.

[FourbangerYJ]

Adjust your steering stops out a bit. You loose a bit of turning radius but you won't have the yokes banging each other. 

[neale_rs]

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.

[FourbangerYJ]

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.

[neale_rs]

Sure doesn't seem right.  I'll adjust the stops out a bit more.  Thanks

[Jeffy]

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.

[neale_rs]

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.

[sharpxmen]

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

[neale_rs]

The marks can be seen on both sides.  I'll have to investigate more carefully once the YJ is back from the shop.

[sharpxmen]

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).

[neale_rs]

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.

[sharpxmen]

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

[Jeffy]

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.