Driveshaft Broke Again!!
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I've got to agree with ericdawayne's post earlier. He may fly planes for the Air Force but I write contracts for the Air Force. If I put in my contract terms like "should" and "may" which is what is in the owners manual they become nothing more than recommendations to be or not to be followed at the discretion of the user. Guaranteed I'll loose in court every time on those terms. If I used terms like "will not" "do not" "Shall not" etc. I'll win every time. My advice is push the dealer, and push them hard because they are in the wrong legally if they hang their hat on what was quoted earlier from the owners manual.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: NC
I think the problem stated in the original topic was stated incorrectly, it was an axle that broke (I believe). There have been several reports of broken stock shafts, in stock Jeeps, I fear that Dana is having the shafts made overseas, and with poor quality control. I think the problem is exagerated by the introduction of ESP on these new Jeeps, and its use is far from seamless offroad (dont get me wrong, it works great, better than any open diffed vehicle could ever preform), I just think the sudden torque transfer is far worse on the axles than a locked vehicle, especially when traction can be had, and throttle is used. Sounds to me like alloy shafts and upgraded u-joints are almost mandatory for maintenance free offroad fun. Funny how prototype Jeeps like the Superlift one, and a few others survived with little to no breakage, just some wear in the ujoint ears, and caps coming loose (normal stuff for severe offroad use, with lockers and heavy 37 tires!!). I think the stock D30 shafts are just junk. Might as well take the opportunity to install some upgraded 30 spliners (upgrade the carrier too so theyll install), and use Rubi shafts so the 1350 joints can be used (same knuckles, might as well take advantage!! I wouldnt run a 297/760 ujoint if I didnt have to). First time my junk breaks, its what Im doing.
JK Junkie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 1
From: Chattanooga, TN
I haven't seen any direct upgrades for the Dana 30 yet, but what if you took a 30 spline Dana 30 ARB from a "Super 30" kit and paired that with some stock Rubicon shafts (I think those are 30 spline inner)? You would basically have a factory "Super 30."
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
What he said, only Id go with some Alloy USA or Superior alloy shafts for more durability and the full circle ujoint clips.
JK Junkie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 0
From: Central Georgia
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Slickwill, coming in late with my 2cents: I don't think putting your Jeep in 4H was the absolute reason for the breakage. I think your *37x13.00x15 Boggers* on OE drive shaft and Dana30 with 4H on pavement is the culprit.
You should consider investing in some new drive shafts and if you're running a Dana30 up front, you should seriously consider upgrading to at least a Dana44.
Just my 2cents.
You should consider investing in some new drive shafts and if you're running a Dana30 up front, you should seriously consider upgrading to at least a Dana44.
Just my 2cents.
JK Junkie
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 1
From: Chattanooga, TN
It was an axle shaft. And by the way, my suggestion for using dana 44 axle shafts with the ARB Super 30 locker (a couple posts up) won't work due to axle shaft length problems.
JK Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
37's on a stock D30 with a broken shaft, The dealer has every right to deny you a claim!
Last edited by redrubicon2004; May 30, 2007 at 06:52 PM.