Me Busting U-joint, You tell me why!

[Dannyboy]

I snapped a U joint doing some pretty steep climbing this weekend, and the d*mn thing is only about a month and a half old, just past a 30 day warranty. I can't figure out how I did it, I mean I know some of you think I am dumb for this but I still run the auto lockouts, I thought for sure this is what I broke but then there was the puddle of gear oil and a shiny piece of metal where my poor ujoint used to reside. What caused the joint to break?

 

[tdavis]

Which joint on which axle? Considering there are 6 of them on your truck... (2 rear drive shaft, 2 front drive shaft, 1 on each front axle)

 

[Dannyboy]

Sorry, I forgot you guys are not telepathic, the drivers side front is the one that I snapped

 

[ChrisHeapy]

High shock loading. Spin a high front wheel without the diff locked then it suddenly grabs, puts a lot of strain on the drivechain. How's your tranny??

Chris

 

[Dannyboy]

My tranny was rebuilt around the first of the year.

 

[Dannyboy]

The mechanic told me there was a 90 day warranty on labor but now it appears that I have in his terms "stretched" the axle and this too is busted, he was waiting for his boss to return to figure out what they will cover but I don't think it will be cheap for anybody. I talked to Jeff Treder and he told me to go with the story that the busted u-joint was the initial cause for the axle to break, and had I not unlocked the hubs it would have done more damage. He told me to push for the garage to replace everything including the fact that auto lockouts are notorious for not disengaging. Therefore had the joint not broken none of this would have happened and had I tried(like I did) to fix the problem and get out of 4x4 there is still a chance that the axle could take a beating. Comments, suggestions

 

[tdavis]

Did it end looking like this?

and

If so, it's a new axle.. I just went to a junkyard, and found a complete axle. Most explorers around here have almost never seen 4x4, so used axles are in great shape!

 

[Dannyboy]

Thanks Tommy Davis, what price did that axle cost?

 

[riffman]

well...as it turns out, the dude here that i sold my ttb to isn't going to use it. i don't think......so i will probalby have some parts lying around here im a minute. if you don't get anything taken care of before attica, ill try to bring what you need there, and we can do it in a parking lot or somthing.....

 

[Dannyboy]

I feel like I'm getting screwed with. Riff do you have the drivers side front axle shaft? This mechanic said he will have a hard time finding one used because there are so many ex's out there that there gone before they show up. The partner said Spicer would cover the joint and some labor but now this guy is saying he'll give me all the parts for cost and charge enough labor to cover his fees. I don't know what this will cost me but I feel that the only thing I should pay for at most is the shaft otherwise there isn't that much standing behind there work. He tells me the axle went and took the joint with it so I say vice versa. Anybody know a Spicer website where I can get some advice? Also when they have to change this is there any chance that you could just "toss in" a set of coil spacers so I could make this a positive experience or should I wait and try to do this myself?

 

[Dannyboy]

just trying to get this on the top 15 again to get some looks please help this sorry *ss

 

[tdavis]

Originally posted by Dannyboy
Thanks Tommy Davis, what price did that axle cost?

first, my name isn't tommy.

second, get out a phone book, and start calling around the junk yards for pricing.

Your being feed a line.

 

[riffman]

well..ok...let me just say this....i may have the axle. It all depends on wether or not the guy who has my axle now is actually going to use it or not. See...i had given it to him, and he was gonna swap it into his ranger that has a dana 28 right now. BUT, on saturday, we are gonna use my dodge to pull back a scambler for him, so i don't know if the ranger project is still gonna be there. If I get the axle back, the axle shaft is yours.

 

[Dannyboy]

First sorry Tom, I have an older brother Tom who I have called Tommy for 22 years. My aplolgies, I know how it goes. Riff that is tight, now what do you want for the axle and how do I get it installed by Thursday?