Author Topic: Busted Rear End  (Read 952 times)

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dunklervogel

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Busted Rear End
« on: November 16, 2008, 01:31:00 PM »
I haven't taken anything apart yet I'm just beginning to research what might have happened.  But in a nutshell, something is broke in my back axle and I just need some insight on what it might be.  But it drives in 4wd with no noise except a pop every now and then.  So I'm stumped.  But here is the story.

I was in 2wd. I was taking off from a stop sign and gasing it decently to take off and when i let out the clutch i lost traction (it was wet) then when I let off the gas a bit to gain traction my tires bit and I heard a pop.  I put the clutch in out of instinct then tried moving again and all i heard was grinding noises but it would every now and then move a slight bit. 

I had a friend look underneath and my driveshaft was there, turning, but sometimes turning when my back wheels weren't (only grinding coming from the axle/differential.)  I should have called a tow but I was stupid and determined to at least get it home.  I threw it in 4wd and it took off like there was never a problem.  Only now and then a minor pop from the back end.  Made it home and parked it.

I would probably just say my gears were sheared but I can't explain why there is hardly any signs of a problem in 4wd but in 2wd the thing won't move.  I figure it isn't an axle shaft though or my wheel would have probably flown off on the road from what I'm to understand.  I have a dana 35c and the rest of the specs are in my sig.  Oh and the noise is definitely coming from my back axle I had someone listen for me.
Any help/insight here would be appreciated.  Thanks.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2008, 01:39:11 PM by dunklervogel »

Offline FourbangerYJ

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2008, 02:01:03 PM »
Pull the cover off and see what's going on in there. Maybe the spider gears got messed up? But until the cover comes off it's anyones guess.
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Offline Jeffy

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2008, 04:06:01 PM »
Pull the cover off and see what's going on in there. Maybe the spider gears got messed up? But until the cover comes off it's anyones guess.

Yup, sound like the spider or side gear is broken.  The popping is either it skipping or the metal parts popping out or breaking off teeth on the R&P.
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jcsanders79

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2008, 06:27:09 PM »
I would say spider gears which is a pretty easy fix around $100 for parts.  Those spider gears breaking are pretty common.  However theres always a chance of anything happening.  Hope its just spider gears and not the R&P.

Mr_Random

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2008, 07:29:15 PM »
I would say spider gears which is a pretty easy fix around $100 for parts.  Those spider gears breaking are pretty common.  However theres always a chance of anything happening.  Hope its just spider gears and not the R&P.

I say; hope it IS the R&P, so he has incentive to get rid of the junk axle! haha...

It wouldn't have a problem (or much of a noticeable one) in 4wd because it's essentially just gonna act like a front wheel drive vehicle with the rear axle blown, wouldn't be good to jump on it or drive over 65, but it would still work pretty well!

dunklervogel

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2008, 07:57:35 PM »
Thanks for the replies guys.  Yeah I was hoping it was just the spider gears too.  Just the whole no noise in 4wd thing kinda threw me off.  I'm going to have some time later this week to check it out and i'll post the results!

dunklervogel

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2008, 04:01:05 AM »
Well turns out it was indeed the spider gears.  Opened up the diff and saw that like half the teeth were sheared off three of the four gears.  Had a decision to make on whether to just replace the spider gears or take the opportunity for an upgrade and decided to throw down a few extra bucks and get a trac lok... 
Was about to put in a detroit type locker in place of the broken spider gears but decided since the jeep is my DD I was better off with the LSD.  Another thing that had me paranoid was if the 35 would even hold up if fully locked.  But I'm happy now I got my jeep back in working order and slightly more capable than it was before it broke!  8)
« Last Edit: December 12, 2008, 04:01:31 AM by dunklervogel »

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2008, 01:59:56 PM »
Well turns out it was indeed the spider gears.  Opened up the diff and saw that like half the teeth were sheared off three of the four gears.  Had a decision to make on whether to just replace the spider gears or take the opportunity for an upgrade and decided to throw down a few extra bucks and get a trac lok... 
Was about to put in a detroit type locker in place of the broken spider gears but decided since the jeep is my DD I was better off with the LSD.  Another thing that had me paranoid was if the 35 would even hold up if fully locked.  But I'm happy now I got my jeep back in working order and slightly more capable than it was before it broke!  8)

Eww, I think you would have been better off with it open and saving the money then buying a Trac-Lok.

The problem with the D35C isn't with it being locked but what happens when you put the skinny pedal down and a wheel gets airborne and then drops back down.  Or when the locker disconnects then abruptly locks up with the wheel still jammed.  The shock load is what causes the axle to break, 9/10 times.

Smoother locker, selectable or spools will prevent #2 from happening.
« Last Edit: December 12, 2008, 03:36:28 PM by Jeffy »
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Offline Bounty Hunter

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2008, 03:25:55 PM »
A selectable probably isn't much more than a trac-loc, correct?  100% locked as in a selectable or a lincoln locker is a lot easier on shafts than an automatic locker.

I think the trac-loc will serve you well, but they don't work well with 35"+ tires.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Busted Rear End
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2008, 03:39:15 PM »
A selectable probably isn't much more than a trac-loc, correct?  100% locked as in a selectable or a lincoln locker is a lot easier on shafts than an automatic locker.

I think the trac-loc will serve you well, but they don't work well with 35"+ tires.

Trac-Locs are only marginally better then being open.  The clutches wear out fairly fast and aren't tight enough to bias enough to make a difference though.

A Auto-Locker like a Softlocker Detroit is a hell of a lot smoother then say a Lunch-box locker.  Still, for the money, I think I would have tried to get a True-Trac but I think that costs a lot more as well.
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