|
|
Posted by Tim Holloway on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 19:34:20 :
In Reply to: Re: T-case problems posted by Roger in La on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 19:03:16 :
Roger,
Depending where the break is, you might not be endangering your differential. Both times I have broken front axles it has broken in the knuckle.
A couple of years ago I snapped a front axle at the Lee Rally. I thought it was a blown lockout, it drove just fine, it was just 2 wheel drive. We were about 7 miles from the Rally Base when it broke. I drove it back on the roads at road speed. The next morning I went to move the truck and could not get it to turn right. It would turn left fine but not right. I happened to have a full set of axles with me and we pulled it apart and replaced it right there. What ever shifted in there to lock it was kind enough not to do it on the drive back, that could have been a nasty suprise on the road!
Also, when you pull it apart and pick out the pieces, try to account for the entire axle. On the M37 I am working on now, when I pulled the rear differential, I found a piece of axle about 3" long and a handfull of smaller pieces. It had taken a good gouge out of the housing and sheared 2 of the ring gear bolts. Other than that it escaped damage. Whoever replaced the broken axle didnt bother to notice he was missing some goodies!
Good luck,
Tim