LD50 Full-size axle thread `93 Ex

LD50 Full-size axle thread `93 Ex SAS

Hey fellow Explorer enthusiasts!

Well I never thought I`d do it, but it`s time.
I originally thought I would go to a smaller rig one day but I`m going to beef up the Explorer instead. Since I already have a huge thread on my previous work I decided to start fresh.

If you would like to see my previous mods, you can navigate from my signature link, or click here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=523171#post523171

~

My plans are to install a D44 and 9-inch into the station wagon and run 35 inch tires. Hopefully she`ll still get in the garage, but if it don`t then oh well. During this I also have some body work to do.

Right now I have the rear end out, I took off the spare tire hanger and removed the muffler and rear most heat shield. (doors are off for body work)Next the gas tank comes out so I can prep the underside for rust protection, from the t-case back. In the meantime I am trying to sell some parts for cash.

First big decision is what gear ratio. The 4.10`s on 33s was nice, but I think I`d like a bit more torque than that so I`m thinking 4.88 or 5.13s.

 

[colindo94]

Should make the landings off those tuff truck challage jumps a little more pleasent

 

[ld50]

Something`s wrong in the 9 inch, only one tire is being propelled. I thought it felt wierd on the trip home but thought it was the lower tire pressure. I think there`s a broken freakin shaft back there too!

 

[IZwack]

LOL what? thats crazy? Your breaking everything!

 

[ld50]

Yeah, what the heck is going on, I thought this stuff was stronger than what I had. I wasn`t that hard on it was I?
I don`t know if I can salvage the bearings off my rear shafts either =$$$

Anyway, holidaying out of town for a week so I`ll pick up where I left off later.

:bdrunk:

 

[ld50]

When it rains it pours, here is the outer shaft yoke end from the unbroken driver`s side, which took a beating when the shaft broke on the passenger side. The U-joint on that side cracked a cap in the process of bending the yoke.

 

[Burns]

Goodness. Its raining hard your way. Been there

 

[sn0border88]

If you broke a 9" shaft, I think the tire would come off. Its a semi float shaft and there are no c-clips to hold the shafts in, just the pressed on flange and it can slide off of that.

 

[Burns]

I dont think that it would. I do however think that you would notice it. The axles is still held in by four bolts at the shaft bearing.

I may be wrong. Never had it happen

 

[ld50]

The 9 inch shafts are entirely held in place by the 4 bolts, making c-clips unneccessary. To lose a tire, it would have to break somewhere after the bearing assembly, or tear off. I`ll see if I can lose a whole tire next time I go out tho, just to see .

If it could unpress itself free of the pressed on assembly it could happen whether the shaft was broken or not. Possible? Never seen it outside of possibly a demo derby, that`s a hell of alot of side pull it would have to see.

 

[sn0border88]

this is true. What kind of locker is in the rear?

 

[ld50]

Full carrier detroits in both..

 

[ld50]

The 9 inch shaft didn`t snap clean, it kinda exploded. Sort of a wierd break. I would say this one broke first and then the front snapped instantly after.

 

[Burns]

wow that is nice....Now i somehow broke my 9" 3rd member but never a shaft.

 

[lifeguard379]

ya that almost looks melted.

 

[colindo94]

so are you replacing with cromoly axles or just stock replacements

 

[ld50]

Been wrestling with those thoughts, it would be a good idea to go stronger but the cost man, yeesh. We`ll see.

 

[zainyD]

Dang man, you're hell on the equipment. I ran some tough trails at Tellico back in June and the only axle component I broke was a u-joint. I'm running a mini spool in my 9" and a Lockright in the D44 with 35's and 4.88's.

I would just buy stock replacements for the time being and then upgrade to chromo stuff later on down the road.

 

[ld50]

Yeah well I did build it for slow crawling through trails in mind, I just haven`t really done that yet, what a dumbass I am sometimes...

I`m having a hell of a time finding axle shafts; the spirit of the anonymous donor axles is haunting me, trying to get a positive ID hasn`t proven to be a [rhymes with a kick you do when you are to far from the endzone for a field goal].

If y`all don`t remember, the axles were given to me as found, in a backyard attached to only a frame. Behind it, in the weeds, was a hood that looked like a Bronco or F-150 hood. The cast-in c-wedges on the Dana 44 led me to believe it was from a 78 or 79 Bronco or F-150. This was pretty well my only clue at the time. I ordered parts for my axle re-build for a 79 Bronco but did run into some snags with front inner seals and rear bearings that didn`t match up but they didn`t clear up where the axles came from since axles that used those parts were on many Ford vehicles.

So now I get to the point where I have to order axle shafts and am told that 78 and 79 did not come in the length (31&7/8" outer wheel face to shaft end) and big bearing size (slightly over 3") AND have a 28 spline shaft in either the Bronco OR F-150 of that vintage.
It was almost as if I was being told these shafts never existed anywhere, which was frustrating (it was even suggested they had been modified, umm not likely) if I hadn`t have had my shaft with me at the parts store they wouldn`t have believed me. The parts store of course knows the uncertain history of the shafts and are still looking into it

I`m looking deeper now though, the hood that was near the frame looked full-size Bronco-ish but so does older f-150 hoods. I suspect the axles may have been even older and from an F-150 after all. Darn I wish I got some pics of that hood.

I pulled the third member and had quite a fright when I looked at the mess in the spline hole and the broke end wouldn`t fall or be magneted out. I started thinking the inner splines were mangled and I just flushed 800 bucks down the drain in the shape of a Detroit locker. Fortunately there is a hole between the splines you can fit a drift pin through.
Just a light hit and the broke end fell out, and the inner splines on the locker still look perfect.
Here`s a pic along with the metal hunks and shavings I got out with the magnet..

 

[Burns]

Im not sure on the size but my axle shafts are 28 spline and are big bearing.

 

[lifeguard379]

i didn't know the big bearing came in a 28 spline. hope you get it worked out.