Well, I broke a front axle Tracta Joint

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:15 pm

Will need to pull it apart to confirm it, but I'm sure that's what broke on the front right of the M37.

No hard running today, and it made some noise, but fortunately I was taking off on the trail from a dead stop when it let go. It locked up the wheel so I had to pull the flanges to let the wheels roll.

But then could not turn right as the joint was in a bind and preventing steering movement. Had to lock the front axle in and roll back a little then forward to get it out of the bind so I could steer. was able to get off the trail and back on the trailer in rear wheel drive.

Wondering if I missed anything during the winter tear down or if the lockers added that much extra stress. I only use them when needed and not at high speeds, and engage when not under load.

Oh well something else to work on. Now to get it apart and get parts (axle probably) and get it back together for the Labor Day weekend.

Thanks,
Will

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Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 3:51 am

You had a locker in the front? If so, that could well be the cause of your difficulty. I think it has been mentioned before that front lockers are not a good idea because of the added strain to the joints.

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:09 am

Lifer,

Yes an ARB Air Locker in the front. When engaged and driven hard and wild they will indeed cause you to damage. I've only used them when necessary and have changed my driving habits with them so as to use them gently and sparingly.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 8:36 am

Sorry you had to break down.

Hope you're back on the road/trail soon.

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:35 pm

Click this Link for the Larger Color View: http://m37.wawii.com/images/DSC03616_Br ... aJoint.JPG

I pulled the right front axle, and I did indeed destroy the Tracta Joint. It looks like possible one of the "C" ears of the inner axle let loose first, then the other and one of the outers let go next. Still cleaning the axle housing, but some scrapes and gouges. The major scrape/grooving goes 7/8's of the way around and was likely done when I came to the stop. The bronze bearing in the spindle was wore on the face that mates to the axle side surface. The bearing was installed new, so I'm not sure if it caused the joint failure, or is a result of the joint failure. The axle housing bronze bearing has a cut into it from the broken axle. So so for I will need a complete axle assembly and two new bronze bearings.

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:57 am

That's a hand grenade, all right! Hope you get it back together soon, Will!
Gary

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 7:52 am

Ooooh!

Ouch!

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:47 pm

Here is the Axle picture:

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:33 am

Ouch-a-rooni

Bet that made a cruching sound...? Hope you are up and running soon. While you are in there replace those top bronze cones with the tapered roller bearings

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 5:41 am

My thoughts exactly, David! No better time than now to swap them for the rollers....
Gary

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:11 am

OK, I've just pulled the long side out, and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on what to measure/look for to determine wear extent?

I see some surface gouging, but that was there from before I got the truck, as It was very well lubed.

I see no visual evidence of cracks.

Thanks,
Will

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:45 pm

I smell danas or Rocks in your future....

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:53 pm

Josh,

Probably at some point if I can't keep them intact. I need to only use the front lockers as a last resort and use less skinny pedal, oh well.

Will

W_A_Watson_II · Post by **W_A_Watson_II** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:16 pm

Well 6 days later, the truck has two NOS front axles, and two Foote Rear Axles as well as new front axle tube seals and bushings, replaced right spindle, and right hub bearings and races and seal. Thankfully UPS delivered the new bolts from McMaster-Carr and bearings and races from Alex Nash this afternoon, the last parts I needed to complete the job. It's amazing how tight the new Tracta Joints are (yes I cleaned the protective coating off). With out grease they were snug, when I greased them they were actually tight to get together. I was unable to put the Selecto Lock-out Hub on the new axles, as it was way to tight on the splines. The drive flanges went on with no problem though. Everything turns and seems to work correctly and no noise at all. I still need to install the new Power Steering Pump and PS Oil Cooler, should get that done tomorrow.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:06 am

Will, if it's strictly a trail truck, Rocks are the way to go. If you want some street sanity, you'd probably want the Danas. Be aware with danas that they have two different differential carriers, one fore 4.1:1 and down, numerically, and, one fore the 4.2X and up, numerically. the high numerical carrier is difficult to find, and, refitting a low numerical axle with a high numerical axle is not cheap, so you;re better off finding a set to start with. I'm eventually going to put rocks under mine, but, for any kind of decent speed, you'll need an overdrive transmission. with your 39's and a NV4500 OD, you could cruise at decent RPM at highway speed.

Well, I broke a front axle Tracta Joint

Well, I broke a front axle Tracta Joint

What to look for?