Topic: What should I do about my axle

[95yj4]

So I noticed to day that I busted the driver-side shock mount on the rear axle. I want to know what I should do, try and get it rewelded or swap the axle. I would really prefer to swap the axle but I dont know what I should go with and the work needed to swap it(depending on the axle). The thing is, its my daily driver, so I cant have a lot of downtime (weekend max). That and I dont want to drop a ton of money on this cause I need to fix a couple other things. So I would really like to know what would be the easiest, cheapest swap for it (not that it would be easy or cheap).

[neale_rs]

A repair should not be too expensive and will minimize your down time.  If you decide to swap the axle, it would be better to go about it slowly.  First get the axle and check it out completely, including the brakes.  You may also need to regear it.  Once it is ready you can schedule the installation over a weekend. This should be doable, especially on a YJ.

I went with a D44 but I think a Ford 8.8 from an Explorer with disk brakes may have been a better way to go due to lower cost and because you automatically get a limited slip differential and disk brakes along with it.

[Jeffy]

Just weld the shock mount back on.  You're comparing a $10 job to spending hundreds.

[95yj4]

I'm most likely going to have a friend weld it back together for now, but going to swap sometime soon. I now its gonna take quite a bit of money to do the swap, I'm just sayin that I dont wanna have to get the axle and need to spend more in hardware then I did on the axle (unless the axle's free or close to it!). I like the sound of the 8.8. Which one would be easier to swap in the d44 or the 8.8?

[Bounty Hunter]

Both about the same amount of work, but I'd choose the 8.8 for your application.  You get the same wheel pattern and disc brakes.  Tough to get a D44 with the correct wheel pattern at a decent price, and they are drum brakes.

[jagular7]

Swapping axles is not going to be cheap compared to welding on a shock mount.

If your Jeep is a daily driver, then cheapest action is to reweld on the shock mount. But figure how did it break off in the first place? Did you bottom out the suspension and shock, then the end result was the ripping off the mount? How is your shock? Could the old mount be rewelded on?

Swapping out the rear axle for an upgrade requires much more work and planning. You'll need to gear match the front gear ratio (or swap in new gears - might as well swap in a locker as well), lug match the front axle for same wheels (or add conversion wheel spacers), adapt the rear ds u-joint (rebuild/rebalance rear ds with new joints), adapt control arm/track bar/shock mounts if not another TJ axle (requires precise location and welding), soft brake line adapter (if the break line itself won't fit), and lastly adapting the parking brake cables (if not another TJ axle). All this will add up if you purchase a yard axle that may need more work like in the rotor/drum/brakes.

Find a local 4wd club and get involved with one. Usually there are members in 4wd clubs that weld their own stuff and could cheaply do your shock mount.

[neale_rs]

... How is your shock? ...

This is a good point.  I recently field fixed a front shock mount but later learned that the shock valving had gotten really hard.  That was the true cause of the problem.

[Bounty Hunter]

I think we are talkin 'bout a YJ, meaning an axle swap is a LOT cheaper and easier than in a TJ.

[95yj4]

yeah I have a YJ. As for the shock I dont know if its still good. I really mean to ask if I should weld it back or swap, right now. I'm going to get it welded back on from one of the people I go to school with, or if the school has the ability to, I'll do it there. The mount actually snapped in half, between where it comes off the axle and where the shock mounts. I think it may have been caused from having a 150lb passenger, my 250lb buddy in the back seat, myself (175lbs), and going over railroad tracks kinda fast. It didnt help the tracks were all messed up either. But yeah , wat would be the best route for swapping a 8.8? I thought I remember seeing somewhere that there are brackets for swapping the axle and they dont require any welding. Does anyone know anything about these?

[jagular7]

Ok, yes, YJ's are much cheaper and easier to swap a rear axle under compared to the TJ. However, it still requires welding of leaf perches and shock mounts. Cherokee D44 would be a good swap as well as the Explorer 8.8 (95 to newer for the rear discs) or the Cherokess 8.25 is another though its not a well supported by the aftermarket with gears and lockers. Make sure if you go with an 8.25, you pull a rear axle shaft and count the splines. 29 is the upgrade and stronger axle compared to the 27.
Anyways, leaf perches are readily available aftermarket or at your local truck shop (over-the-road, heavy-, medium- and light-truck shop not your 4wd accessory shop). Same for the shock mounts, but again, aftermarket would have them ready to ship out.
You'll have to prep the next axle by removing all its suspension mounts. Then bring it under your Jeep. New ubolts should be used to secure the leaf to the perch and axle. Check you rear ds to the yoke to bolt in and your brake lines for adaptability. Once you determine your pinion angle statically, then spot weld the perches. Do the same with the shock mounts. Remove the axle and weld in the mounts. Then install. Bleed brakes, attach parking brake, check or change fluid, attach rear ds and your ready to go.

[Jesse-James]

When that happened to mine it was because it was hit on a rock. Dented shock gave it away. I used the M.O.R.E. upper rear shock mounts and moved the lower mounts to the front of the tube. Kept the shock length the same and moved them up and out of the way. Cost me 20.00 to have a shop weld the lower mounts for me.

[Bounty Hunter]

I run an Isuzu Rodeo D44, did it for the disc brakes and 6-lug wheel pattern (to match the front Waggy D44).

[95yj4]

Hey sorry I haven't been on in a while. I've been kinda busy, havent even got the d*** thing welded yet. should have it done in a couple days. I was askin about the axle swap because I plan on doin it eventually anyway. So has no one heard of the weld-less brackets? See I dont know how to weld (yet), and my buddy's schedule and mine never really seem to come together too often. So if I did do an axle swap I would probably find a shop to get it done at, and just have everything prepped as much as possible.

[neale_rs]

Weldless spring perches are not a good idea.  What might save you some money and effort is to do the swap together with any lift and CV drive shaft installation so that the pinion angle gets set correctly at the same time you do the axle swap.