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Full floating Dana 44

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by CJ-X, Feb 7, 2008.

  1. Aug 17, 2011
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    Mine has 36 years on it-all with the same set of drive flanges and axles. I will not be putting a flanged axle on any Jeep I build-I really think having the wheels stay on if you bust the axle(s) makes it worth it. And it sure makes working on the carrier easier-don't even have to jack it up. Something to think about the next time you are drowning in mud on the trail with a wheel separated from the vehicle with a piece of axle still attached.
     
  2. Aug 17, 2011
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    I have to bow to your expertise on this Nickmil, however I don't see how tire weight increases stress on the housing as it's unsprung weight. They are heavy, I will admit. That doesn't, however, explain Don's (67jeep) hub failure (exactly the same as mine, compressed wave spring) with the same size tire you are running. Obviously there are myriad of factors contributing to lockout failures with a FF. And there have been plenty of them. Enough that when I spoke to a Warn rep about it years ago, he told me that Warn didn't recommend lockouts in a FF used in conjunction with a locker.
     
  3. Aug 17, 2011
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    The tire width and diameter puts more stress on the housing via leverage. In both compression and extension of the suspension. The weight of the tire multiplies this causing more flex on the housing tubes. Seen it many times. I've seen it to the point the tubes would work harden and crack. Generally at the spring mounts but I've seen it in other parts of the tubes also. I agree, there are lots of variable here, but most ff failures I've experienced and had to diagnose were with poorly put together systems or housing flex issues. (shrug) just my experience.
     
  4. Aug 18, 2011
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    I find that most failures are a direct reflection of the driving style of the owner. I know a couple guys that could break parts in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
     
  5. Aug 21, 2011
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
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    4,538
    Good idea for removing the slugs. I haven't had a situation where I needed to tow the Jeep more than about 50 miles, but I thought about doing something to make it easier to pull those for towing. Do you have to jack up the wheel to free them up to pull them?
     
  6. Aug 21, 2011
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    I can't say that most of the failures I've seen are from driving style, although certainly a few are. Depends on the kind of trail you are on. A lot of the trails here in N. Cal. are very demanding on the driver and the equipment, no matter how you drive.
     
  7. Aug 22, 2011
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    To keep a FF axle from sliding in and out of the spiders as EricM has experienced, couldn't one make or machine a collar, much like the lock rings/collar used to hold a flanged axle bearing in place, drill and tap the collar in a couple of places, drill some dimples into the FF shaft, and use set screws to hold the collar onto the axle to keep the axle from sliding ? Seems you could do that near the spindle end of the axle. Of course, you wouldn't be able to remove the axle unless you removed the spindle, but there shouldn't be that much torque or pressure to keep the axle in place.
    My FF kit is old as others here and I've had no problems with axle movement; maybe it's in the length that the splines are cut.
     
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