Hey everyone. Well. Had a great day wheeling even though ended up with a little bit of carnage. Ended up busting up the ear and u joint on the drivers side. Trying to figure out what broke first. Anyone have any thoughts?




I can think of a couple options but its my first real trail failure so I haven't grown used to it yet.

They are...
- Axle shaft ear fatigued and failed, causing further damage to u-joint.
- u joint cap wandered out and allowed gradual fatigue until detonation.

I'm going to junkyard tomorrow to buy a couple sets of spare shafts. Should I upgrade to larger u-joints before sticking them in the jeep? Currently my 99 xj is on 35's with wj knuckle conversion. I'm not locked up front and running stock 297 joints. Would 760 joints be beneficial or should I keep the joints the week link(not axle shafts, ring and pinion etc.)

Absolutely everything below the doors are brand new. So age does not play a factor in the break.

Cheers

 

The ear probably stretched a little and allowed the half circle clip to pop off and consequently the cap to pop out, once the cap was missing its game over and the. U joint tore through the ear of the shaft. See it all the time, always upgrade to full circle clips! They make a significant difference in the strength of the joint/shaft ears.

You cant get the 297 joints anymore either, unless its old stock. The 5-760x replaces them, they are stronger too. Always use spicer joints, all the other parts stores joints are junk.

 

Thanks. Was reading about full circle clips. Are they standard on the spicer 5-760's or is it an additional part I swap in for the included half circle retainer. When I was researching i was under the impression there was modification to the shafts that needed to be done to accommodate the use of full circle clips.

 

Aftermarket shafts can take a full circle clip. Most stock shafts need to be ground down a bit using a die grinder, cut off wheel, or chop saw. Its real easy to do. You will have to buy the clips separately.

 

Ok. That's what I took from reading someone's how to. Most of the wreckers here are closed for some reason. The only ones open are the guys that charge double everyone else. Looks like I'm waiting till Tuesday. Kinda wanted to go wheeling tomorrow.

 

it is pretty easy. even I figured it out. I found my shafts on craigslist
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/bl...2/#post2058717

 

I've broken mine bad like this before.. It was from steering wheel being turned to lock and to much right foot.