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Banging In The Front Axle

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Old 05-18-2014, 08:13 PM
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Default Banging In The Front Axle

So I was wheeling in the dunes this weekend and hit a hard bump at about 30 mph. I stopped and looked the jeep over and visually everything looked fine so I got back in and started driving. Immediately a rhythmic bang started which, with every bang, jerked the steering to the right. I have a front Lokka locker in my d30 but this is way louder than anything I've ever heard from it. In addition to the noise it also violently shakes the front axle. I opened up my differential and everything looks fine. Shafts are fine. Ball joints need replaced but I don't know if that could cause this issue. Everything was working fine; I hit a hard bump and it somehow caused this. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Old 05-18-2014, 08:15 PM
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Oh and in 2wd it sounds different than normal when turning but pretty quite. Also if you let off the wheel it wants to take you to the left.
Old 05-18-2014, 08:26 PM
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And I'm leaking diff fluid pretty good out my passengers side tube.
Old 05-19-2014, 02:56 AM
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I don't have a locker in my d30. But I had a similar thing happen to mine. Hit a rock out camping when I came around a blind corner. It hit right on the passenger side lower control arm bracket. Stopped and looked the bracket was bent. It drove with similar symptoms as yours. Once I got home and was able to do a full inspection, it was definitely leaking out the tube. It ended up the seal was broken and the tube was slightly bent. Ended up swapping the d30 out.
Old 05-19-2014, 07:01 AM
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If my axle was bent though, I would think it would bang regardless of whether its in 2wd or 4wd.

Last edited by EagleXJ; 05-19-2014 at 07:08 AM.
Old 05-19-2014, 02:27 PM
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Broken axle shaft? When I limped mine home with a broken shaft it would clunk alot lol
Old 05-19-2014, 03:51 PM
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Naw I just ripped everything out and nothing is visibly wrong. Very confusing!
Old 05-19-2014, 06:54 PM
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Maybe pull the front driveshaft and see if the noise continues
Old 05-20-2014, 10:02 AM
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Axle seal and u joint possibly?
Old 05-20-2014, 09:59 PM
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Well the axle is smiled... Crap
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