Transfer case just exploded!!!
man this sux...sorry 'bout that bro!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 0
From: Middle of no where
So I go to pick up my jeep after having 5:13 gears put in and get on the highway to head back home and BAM!! Jeep was tacking 3000 rpm going 70 in 6th gear. Transfer case is cracked wide open down the canter. It sheared the rear pinion gear so my DS is dangling. Front DS is still intact. WTH happened here?! Some info: stock DS's and fixed CA's. Other info in my signature. I'm guessing the gearing was too much? Should have gone with 4:56 or 4:88 maybe? Jeep does and will be driven on highway. Any help is appreciated.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,449
Likes: 2
From: Newport news, va
Originally Posted by wayoflife
on a forum like this where most everyone is modifying their jeeps, you will see what looks like a lot of failures but and most of which i feel are a result of install error and or lack of proper maintenance. but, in the bigger scheme of things, i think it would still be fair to say no, there are not a lot or reports of this happening.
in his original post, the OP points out that this is a stock rear drive shaft. he has an 3.5" aev lift and, although he said that it sheared the "pinion gear", i can only assume he meant to say "pinion flange".
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 631
Likes: 1
From: Richmond, VA
I don't think a drive shaft would do what the OP is telling us. I would look more at the transfer case havin a problem. Something would have to stop turning either in the rear or in the transfer case to cause a problem like that.
To the OP did you feel any vibration before everything let go? If it was the drive shaft letting lose you would have felt it going.
To the OP did you feel any vibration before everything let go? If it was the drive shaft letting lose you would have felt it going.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
That sucks! I think the consensus is that 4" of lift you are running would be borderline for the stock rear driveshaft of an unlimited (3.5" lift and .5" spacer). So as WOL said you would be looking at the driveshaft to see what has happened to it. Please report back once you have examined it because I would like to know what caused this.
I'm nervous running 3" of lift on stock shafts. I'll be watching them extra closely now though!
I'm nervous running 3" of lift on stock shafts. I'll be watching them extra closely now though!
on a stock drive shaft, there is nothing you can do to maintain it. if you have an aftermarket shaft with greasable u-joints, you need to use a grease gun to apply grease to them, the shaft itself and the center ball in the double cardan. if you have non-greaseable u-joints, you should pull your shaft and physically check them by hand on a regular basis and regardless of what joints you have, replace them about once every 2 years or so. if needed, have your drive shaft re-balanced to help eliminate any vibrations you may have due to a lost weight or bend in the shaft.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
I don't think a drive shaft would do what the OP is telling us. I would look more at the transfer case havin a problem. Something would have to stop turning either in the rear or in the transfer case to cause a problem like that.
To the OP did you feel any vibration before everything let go? If it was the drive shaft letting lose you would have felt it going.
To the OP did you feel any vibration before everything let go? If it was the drive shaft letting lose you would have felt it going.
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Trophy Club,TX
DO NOT SPRAY IT WITH WD40! WD40 is NOT a lubricant. It's a penetrating oil. WD40 will actually remove the existing grease and make it worse.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
once again, we are talking about a drive shaft here, something that has a lot of moving parts and sees a lot of high speeds movement. all things fail over time and depending on how much lift you have, how old it is or whether or not you have any damage to it from wheeling will all be a factor in how soon it will fail. 4" is way over the operating limit on a rear 2-door stock haft and at about the limit of a 4-door rear shaft. at this height, i would just keep an eye on your shaft for any tell tale signs something is off and plan to upgrade to a u-joint style shaft in the future. being that you have an aev kit, you will need to buy adjustable rear upper control arms to set your rear pinion angle though.
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
can you post any pics? can you tell me if the accordian looking black boot on your rear drive shaft was torn? also, can you verify that the break happend at the rear pinion cv joint and NOT the pinion "gear" which would be inside your differential and impossible to see unless you opened up your pumpkin?
