Ball joint out of socket
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Birmingham, Al
Well I can try, lets say you change from stock 30-31" tires to 35's, just for an example. Seems to me that when you wheel it your putting more stress on the U Joints and axle shafts, not only stress from torque, but weight as well, right?? Now IF this is true then its only logical that at least some percentage of weight and control of the wheel is being put on the axle.
Like I said, I've never broke an axle, nor have I fixed or helped someone fix one on the trail, but with what I'm running now I know its just a matter of time until the front goes. I'm going off hear-say, but I've been told if you tear up your front in a similar way this guy did, that it is unsafe to drive..Period. This makes sense to me, but I'd like to hear more input on it, I def. could be wrong.
Like I said, I've never broke an axle, nor have I fixed or helped someone fix one on the trail, but with what I'm running now I know its just a matter of time until the front goes. I'm going off hear-say, but I've been told if you tear up your front in a similar way this guy did, that it is unsafe to drive..Period. This makes sense to me, but I'd like to hear more input on it, I def. could be wrong.
And I'm definitely not driving it at all until I replace the ball joint and axle.
Thanks for all your input
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Well I can try, lets say you change from stock 30-31" tires to 35's, just for an example. Seems to me that when you wheel it your putting more stress on the U Joints and axle shafts, not only stress from torque, but weight as well, right?? Now IF this is true then its only logical that at least some percentage of weight and control of the wheel is being put on the axle.
Like I said, I've never broke an axle, nor have I fixed or helped someone fix one on the trail, but with what I'm running now I know its just a matter of time until the front goes. I'm going off hear-say, but I've been told if you tear up your front in a similar way this guy did, that it is unsafe to drive..Period. This makes sense to me, but I'd like to hear more input on it, I def. could be wrong.
Like I said, I've never broke an axle, nor have I fixed or helped someone fix one on the trail, but with what I'm running now I know its just a matter of time until the front goes. I'm going off hear-say, but I've been told if you tear up your front in a similar way this guy did, that it is unsafe to drive..Period. This makes sense to me, but I'd like to hear more input on it, I def. could be wrong.
You are correct, though, that running with a failed axle shaft is not good.
Removing the axle shaft will allow it to be driven home.
Removing the shaft doesn't cause any additional weight to be carried by the ball joints.
In fact, the load on the ball joints will be reduced because the axle assembly will weigh less.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Birmingham, Al
So if the broken axle shaft didn't bear more weight on the ball joints, what pushed it out of its mount?? And is it possible to be in the position it is in now without bending the knuckle or C?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Here, you are asking if the broken axle shaft, itself, bore some weight on the ball joints.
Yes, the broken axle shaft bore some weight on the ball joint, but only in the form of impact, like a hammer would, when you strike it.
The axle shaft beats the ball joint out of the hole in the C. (That's usually the case.)
Yours may be a little different. I don't see any impact damage around the ball joint hole. That has me wondering if something a little different happened.
Last edited by ronjenx; Jul 12, 2011 at 08:45 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Birmingham, Al
What it sounded like in a previous post, it was implied, with a broken axle shaft, more weight of the vehicle would be on the ball joints, which won't be the case.
Here, you are asking if the broken axle shaft, itself, bore some weight on the ball joints.
Yes, the broken axle shaft bore some weight on the ball joint, but only in the form of impact, like a hammer would, when you strike it.
The axle shaft beats the ball joint out of the hole in the C. (That's usually the case.)
Yours may be a little different. I don't see any impact damage around the ball joint hole. That has me wondering if something a little different happened.
Here, you are asking if the broken axle shaft, itself, bore some weight on the ball joints.
Yes, the broken axle shaft bore some weight on the ball joint, but only in the form of impact, like a hammer would, when you strike it.
The axle shaft beats the ball joint out of the hole in the C. (That's usually the case.)
Yours may be a little different. I don't see any impact damage around the ball joint hole. That has me wondering if something a little different happened.
But as far as anything bending due to the angle of the knuckle, what are your thoughts? Can the knuckle move like that without having been bent?
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Or, go look at another JK.
I would be concerned with the condition of the ball joint hole in the inner C.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Birmingham, Al
Originally Posted by planman
When an axle shaft or u-joint breaks, it is not uncommon for the recoil/snap to take out the ball joints.
There is some elasticity with axle shaft metal.
When a shaft breaks at the ears, it is usually twisted up right before it fails. The recoil (think of a breaking rubber band) snaps back and swings in a way that can break off the top ball joint end or shove out the lower ball joint.
If the break happens closer to the splines (where it fits in the locker/carrier), the recoil from the break can damage the carrier/locker or ring & pinion.
There is some elasticity with axle shaft metal.
When a shaft breaks at the ears, it is usually twisted up right before it fails. The recoil (think of a breaking rubber band) snaps back and swings in a way that can break off the top ball joint end or shove out the lower ball joint.
If the break happens closer to the splines (where it fits in the locker/carrier), the recoil from the break can damage the carrier/locker or ring & pinion.
And what about any bends? Did pushing it out bend the C or knuckle or possibly hurt the ball joint hole?
Last edited by sureshotgt; Jul 13, 2011 at 10:08 AM.
Former Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 410
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Great advice, as usual Planman. I broke the front passenger axle and had to remove it on the trail (I didn't do it myself...I had help). We stuffed it with rags, which were put inside of plastic surgical gloves to keep the diff fluid from spilling out and causing massive damage. To be safe, I duct-taped the rag-filled plastic gloves to make sure it wouldn't fall out and drove home over 300 miles, no problem.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!