BROKEN J.E. Reel driveshaft!....
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,133
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From: O HI 4 Lo
Just put a new U-joint in it...
how did you greese it with no zerk fitting?
Last edited by Piginajeep; Feb 17, 2008 at 09:23 AM.
JK Jedi
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,568
Likes: 3
From: Denver, CO
I got the impression that he was concerned since it happened just in normal street driving rather than offroad.
Last edited by Piginajeep; Feb 17, 2008 at 09:20 AM.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,133
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From: O HI 4 Lo
need I say, thats just me..
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,533
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From: Oxnard, CA
I had the driveshafts looked at everytime i had the oil changed... so they have been greased several times since they were installed. I had a really bad vibration about a week before it broke... so my buddy put it up on his lift and checked the pinion angle and regreased then. The problem went away but he really didnt fix anything... i guess we masked the problem some how... i dont know.
You may not be able to just replace the U-joint as the holes for the caps might be elongated.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 15,133
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From: O HI 4 Lo
how much of a beating did your jeep get before getting stopped? I had a driveshaft snap on my 54 willys, It was scary until I got it shut down..
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 146
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From: DePere, Wi
It really does look like they are dry. I was told to have 2-3 degrees of offset at the axle end to make sure all the caps spun right and got lubed up and to grease it regularly. In theory 0 degerees at the pinion is perfect but not in the real world, there is axle wrap to contend with also. Sounds like putting grease in just covered the problem up for a while. Just my two cents worth.
JK Jedi
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,567
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From: So. Cal.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 336
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i know...
i agree with alot of the feedback that its just a u-joint... i have 4 u-joint spares from J.E. Reel incase i broke one on the trail... but the damage is greater than the pictures show. Keep in mind the driveshaft was still connected to the rear axle. So when it broke at 65 miles an hour that thing was still spinning around knocking into anything and everything...also it weighs about 50 pounds. TThe shaft may be bent and the ears that hold the u-joint in place are heavily damaged. im aware that things will break and thats when its time to build it stronger. for the ones that do not believe that these J.E. Reel driveshafts are that great (1350 Heavy Duty) than what do you suggest that would be better or stronger? it would be nice if it was just a u-joint... but its not! 