broken axel

[fulsizjeep]

getting tired of this I tell ya...








This happened after a vibration at 65, shaft sheared off at the outer seal 70 miles from home. Luna and I are home safe and sound except for the brain damage from the burst of adrenalin. Krista picked us up in Shiprock. Wally will be home tomorrow. I am beat.

[mrtazwrench]

Is that the same as last time? Or did the whole shaft come out that time? I have a parts 44 here with gear damage should you try to repair that and not do the upgrade now.

[bigun]

Time for full floaters. Glad to hear your ok Luna is going to start not wanting to go in the Jeep if you keep this up!

[fulsizjeep]

Is that the same as last time? Or did the whole shaft come out that time? I have a parts 44 here with gear damage should you try to repair that and not do the upgrade now.

The shaft broke at the outer seal right where the hub flange meets the shaft. I thought it was a clean break at first but on closer inspection, it looks a little twisted. There was a vibration just before and I let off the gas running 65 on new black top in a flat area. It was much easier to manage off the road than last time. This may have failed due to the previous damage, dunno. Maybe it's true that 35s kill D44s. I am done with it.

[Heimeken]

I had the same issue with my J10, fixed it broke, fixed it, got towed, fixed it, wheel ran out before me, I concluded the axle had a slight bend. Got rid of the original 44 and got another... but never felt comfortable. That is why my "new" J10 is getting J20 axles. Glad you and Luna are home, time for the 3/4 ton upgrade.

[Stuka]

Are you running a locker in back flint?

Would not be the first twisted shaft I have seen. You could go alloy shafts, which can be up to 40% stronger. More so if you are using 30 year old shafts. But really a 14FF or D70 are what you want for a never break situation. Or a 35 spline D60.

Glad you were safe!

[the original Honcho]

Holy cow Flint! Good to hear you and Luna are home safe and sound, thats the most important thing

[Michael]

Yikes, glad ur ok

[bigun]

Hey Flint do you want me to turn loose the hounds and see what can be found?

[fulsizjeep]

Thanks everyone.

Stuka - This axle has had a Lockright with hardened pin in it since 2002. The left axle shaft was replaced after bearing failure. This axle is scrap metal.

Thanks for that thought Charlie. I have almost everything I need to step up and run a Dodge D60 rear with a J20 front on SOA/SF. One of the things I need is Popeye arms.

[Ristow]

dangit!

i hate D44 rears. crappy axle.


i had thought you did the FF rear axle already.

[fulsizjeep]

i had thought you did the FF rear axle already.

I didn't get the message last time I reckon.

[Ristow]

i think about my pos D44 rear in the '91 frequently as i drive myself. i really don't care for flange retainer rear axles.

you have a FF all set to go in,and D44hd front as well correct?

my cherokee will be FF rear too,as soon as i get off my duff and get it in.

y'know,it seems the AMC20 rear axles don't spit the shafts out like the danas' do.

[Stuka]

i think about my pos D44 rear in the '91 frequently as i drive myself. i really don't care for flange retainer rear axles.

you have a FF all set to go in,and D44hd front as well correct?

my cherokee will be FF rear too,as soon as i get off my duff and get it in.

y'know,it seems the AMC20 rear axles don't spit the shafts out like the danas' do.

Yeah you don't hear about as many FSJ M20's breaking shafts. Mine has held up well with a detroit and 4.56's.

As for the D44, a lot has to do with them being old too. As I know guys with JK's that run 37's and beat on them hard and rare break. And a 4dr JK can sometimes out weigh an FSJ. There are some differences in them. R&P is much larger and the tubes are thicker. And the tube thickness may be the key. Although it could also be most of the JK'ers I know have rubicons so on the street they are unlocked. Where as most of us run automatic lockers. So on the street the shafts are being abused more.

Either way a full floater would at least prevent the tire from coming off. Even though a D60 shaft is the same strength as a D44 shaft, unless its a 35 spline obviously.

[fulsizjeep]

I have towed some heavy loads with Wally over the years. Most recently 40 bales of hay on a 16' car trailer. The axles on Wally are original except a rebuild with all new bearings in 2002 with 3.73 gear change then R&R bearings in 09 after the other axle came out. Also, we have been running Royal Purple in axles and tcases since 2002 sans the QT stuff. If I remember right these D44s have about 282,000 miles on them.