"What the hell do I do now?" An educational thread for wheelin' beginners

NFRs2000NYC

NFRs2000NYC

Caught the Bug
So I thought about this thread while reading one of the travel threads here, and figured it would be useful. There are many members here that have never suffered a mechanical breakdown offroad, so they have zero experience in fixing one. Many don't carry spare parts. Many only carry basic tools. So, this thread is dedicated for a noob to ask a hypothetical question, and the guys that know what they are talking about can post up a practical answer, that would allow you to at least get back to civilization...or, tell you bluntly like it is, to lock the jeep up and get walking. In the interests of keeping this thread useful, lets forget the "never wheel alone" stuff, and "always bring spare parts" stuff. Many people go on vacation and wheel alone, even a mild trail, but something may go wrong, they might get lost and end up in a worse situation than they expected, might get lost and go from an easy dirt road to a rocky hellhole, etc. So, to kick things off....

1) You're on a trail and break and axleshaft, you don't have a spare, and you have basic tools, a socket set (up to 24mm), a few ratchet straps, and other assorted hand tools, like allen keys, wrenches, torx bits, etc. No specialty equipment, welders, etc. How can you get off the trail?

2) You're on a trail and break a driveshaft, same as above, just basic hand tools, what can you do?
 
GraniteCrystal

GraniteCrystal

New member
I tried asking a similar question once before... "If this, then that" thread...I'd love to have more answers.

1) With basic tools, you should be able to remove the wheel and broken axle shaft, stuff a rag in the end of the tube so dirt doesn't get in there, put the wheel back on and have a 3 legged Jeep

2) If it's a front shaft, just pull it and carry it out. Won't have 4WD obviously but hope you can make it out on 2WD. If it's a rear shaft, not sure.

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Build thread: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=32769
 
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NFRs2000NYC

NFRs2000NYC

Caught the Bug
GraniteCrystal said:
I tried asking a similar question once before... "If this, then that" thread...I'd love to have more answers.

1) With basic tools, you should be able to remove the wheel and broken axle shaft, stuff a rag in the end of the tube so don't doesn't get in there, put the wheel back on and have a 3 legged Jeep

2) If it's a front shaft, just pull it and carry it out. Won't have 4WD obviously but hope you can make it out on 2WD. If it's a rear shaft, not sure.

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Build thread: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=32769
Click to expand...

What would happen if you kept driving on a broken axle shaft....wouldn't it be a three legged jeep anyway at that point?
 
GraniteCrystal

GraniteCrystal

New member
NFRs2000NYC said:
What would happen if you kept driving on a broken axle shaft....wouldn't it be a three legged jeep anyway at that point?
Click to expand...
If you drive on it, you're going to keep tearing it apart. That will lead to a bigger mess, bad sounds coming from your Jeep, and probably some small metal chunks (or not so small) making their way into your differential. Now that's getting chewed up and you're a 2 legged Jeep making a call to your local shop to install some new gears when you get home.

Disclaimer: never had it happen. This answer is based off things I've learned here. Happy to have someone answer who's actually dealt with this.

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Build thread: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=32769
 
2nd.gunman

2nd.gunman

Caught the Bug
GraniteCrystal said:
I tried asking a similar question once before... "If this, then that" thread...I'd love to have more answers.

1) With basic tools, you should be able to remove the wheel and broken axle shaft, stuff a rag in the end of the tube so dirt doesn't get in there, put the wheel back on and have a 3 legged Jeep

2) If it's a front shaft, just pull it and carry it out. Won't have 4WD obviously but hope you can make it out on 2WD. If it's a rear shaft, not sure.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Build thread: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=32769
Click to expand...

1) That's ok if it's a front shaft. If it's a rear shaft you won't be able to put the wheel back on a standard d44. The solution is to ratchet strap a log to the lower control arm so that the jeep is propped up and drag that corner.

2) if it's a rear shaft just remove it and drive in 4hi. Basically makes it front wheel drive


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ScoobyCarolanNC

ScoobyCarolanNC

Active Member
GraniteCrystal said:
...If it's a rear shaft, not sure.
Click to expand...

Driveshafts are ok right? I'm guessing then you could pull a rear too & still be in 3 wheel?

As I typed that it sounded dumb, but I don't know why. Would the diff not work if it were unbalanced by a second shaft? If the shit's hit the fan could you do it? If it were unlocked I'd imagine the side without the shaft would just spin?

Well, now I'll be up all night.


Sent from my duck blind.
 
NFRs2000NYC

NFRs2000NYC

Caught the Bug
So in a slow moving trail (not a lot of miles, aka, not a lot of rotations) how far could you theoretically make it with a busted axle shaft...lets say that yes, you'll chew it up, possibly damage ring gear teeth, etc...could you make it out or will you suffer a catastrophic breakdown?
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
NFRs2000NYC said:
1) You're on a trail and break and axleshaft, you don't have a spare, and you have basic tools, a socket set (up to 24mm), a few ratchet straps, and other assorted hand tools, like allen keys, wrenches, torx bits, etc. No specialty equipment, welders, etc. How can you get off the trail?
Click to expand...

First off, if you're really concerned about this, you NEED to have the right tools for the right job. For the front, you need to carry a 12 Point 13mm Box Wrench, 21mm Wrench, 19mm Socket, 36mm Socket, a Torque Wrench and red loctite.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?...-Shaft-Removal-amp-Replacement-Write-Up-VIDEO

For the rear, you really need to have the following sockets and wrenches - 8, 18 and 19mm. You also need vice grips and a pry bar.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?5162-Rear-Axle-Shaft-Removal-amp-Installation-Write-Up

Don't have these things, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like either axle shaft on the trail.

2) You're on a trail and break a driveshaft, same as above, just basic hand tools, what can you do?
Click to expand...

Assuming you're running factory drive shafts, you NEED to be carrying the following - 8, 15, 18mm wrench and socket, 1/2″ wrench, 1-1/8 and 1-1/4″ sockets, ratchet, ratchet extension and a ft. lb. torque wrench at bare minimum. Again, if you're not carrying all these tools with you on the trail, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like a drive shaft on the trail.

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write...-front-1310-drive-shaft-installation-write-up

So that it's clear, to me, the above listed are "basic tools" that every Jeeper should be carrying with them.
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
NFRs2000NYC said:
So in a slow moving trail (not a lot of miles, aka, not a lot of rotations) how far could you theoretically make it with a busted axle shaft...lets say that yes, you'll chew it up, possibly damage ring gear teeth, etc...could you make it out or will you suffer a catastrophic breakdown?
Click to expand...

Up front, you're more likely to blow a u-joint than to break a shaft. Assuming this is what you break, you are EXTREMELY likely to take out your ball joints and then you're really shit out of luck. Assuming you break at the shaft, you're more than likely to bind up and break your ring and pinion. Breaking a rear shaft isn't as likely to happen for MOST people but again, if you were to keep driving with one that is broken, you will most likely bind things up and break your ring and pinion. That would be really bad. You really need to pull what's broken to help prevent further damage.
 
Frogmech

Frogmech

-
pop2tu said:
Question, on front axle wouldn't you have to keep the outer stub shaft in the unitized bearing to keep the bearing from falling apart?

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Click to expand...

No. The shaft is only there to apply rotational force from the differential to the wheel. The loss of the shaft would only remove any power to turn the wheel and would have no negative effect on the bearing integrity.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
GraniteCrystal

GraniteCrystal

New member
wayoflife said:
First off, if you're really concerned about this, you NEED to have the right tools for the right job. For the front, you need to carry a 12 Point 13mm Box Wrench, 21mm Wrench, 19mm Socket, 36mm Socket, a Torque Wrench and red loctite.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?...-Shaft-Removal-amp-Replacement-Write-Up-VIDEO

For the rear, you really need to have the following sockets and wrenches - 8, 18 and 19mm. You also need vice grips and a pry bar.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?5162-Rear-Axle-Shaft-Removal-amp-Installation-Write-Up

Don't have these things, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like either axle shaft on the trail.



Assuming you're running factory drive shafts, you NEED to be carrying the following - 8, 15, 18mm wrench and socket, 1/2″ wrench, 1-1/8 and 1-1/4″ sockets, ratchet, ratchet extension and a ft. lb. torque wrench at bare minimum. Again, if you're not carrying all these tools with you on the trail, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like a drive shaft on the trail.

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write...-front-1310-drive-shaft-installation-write-up

So that it's clear, to me, the above listed are "basic tools" that every Jeeper should be carrying with them.
Click to expand...
Dang Eddie. That's one legit answer. Looks like I need some larger sockets.

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Build thread: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=32769
 
TRLJNKY

TRLJNKY

New member
Sounds like we need to clone some Eddies and just throw them in the bug out bag lol. Great answer Eddie and also a great thread. Subscribed. Thx

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chitown35

chitown35

LOSER
wayoflife said:
First off, if you're really concerned about this, you NEED to have the right tools for the right job. For the front, you need to carry a 12 Point 13mm Box Wrench, 21mm Wrench, 19mm Socket, 36mm Socket, a Torque Wrench and red loctite.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?...-Shaft-Removal-amp-Replacement-Write-Up-VIDEO

For the rear, you really need to have the following sockets and wrenches - 8, 18 and 19mm. You also need vice grips and a pry bar.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?5162-Rear-Axle-Shaft-Removal-amp-Installation-Write-Up

Don't have these things, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like either axle shaft on the trail.



Assuming you're running factory drive shafts, you NEED to be carrying the following - 8, 15, 18mm wrench and socket, 1/2″ wrench, 1-1/8 and 1-1/4″ sockets, ratchet, ratchet extension and a ft. lb. torque wrench at bare minimum. Again, if you're not carrying all these tools with you on the trail, you have no business getting into a position where you're breaking something like a drive shaft on the trail.

http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-write...-front-1310-drive-shaft-installation-write-up

So that it's clear, to me, the above listed are "basic tools" that every Jeeper should be carrying with them.
Click to expand...
The 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 are only for messing with the yokes right? Is that just for if you're going from say a 1350 back to stock for your repair? Or is there any other reason you may need those if you're running a stock ds?

Sent from my galaxy s5 but it would've been quicker to drive my jeep there and tell you.
 
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