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Dana 18 Not Shifting Back Into 2h

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jeepstar, Aug 14, 2022.

  1. Aug 17, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    He says the issue started after pulling the plow and it's been a year since the axle swap?
     
  2. Aug 17, 2022
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    that was my inclination as well, but when I asked if the transfer case still got stuck when he shifted into 4wd with the front hubs UNLOCKED, he confirmed that it did still get stuck. Even with wildly mismatched gearing front and rear, it shouldn’t cause anything to get jammed if the hubs are unlocked:

    In that case, the spider gears and ring/pinion would still be spinning but they aren’t driving the front wheels due to the hubs being unlocked. So a mismatched gear set wouldn’t cause binding. there must be something wrong with the R&P or spider gears - broken teeth, really bad backlash, etc.

    another possibility could be severe front driveshaft misalignment.
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2022
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  3. Aug 17, 2022
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Sure sounds to me like a problem with front differential. Not turning freely. Don't see what else it could be if it's binding with the hubs unlocked.
    Have you tried spinning both front tires in the same direction at the same time when you have it up in the air?
     
  4. Aug 17, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    I missed it still locking up with the hubs disengaged. Yeah, probably a front axle issue if that's the case. We'll see when the diff covers come off.
     
  5. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    I'm pulling them today. I'll confirm they are 5.38s in there too.
     
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  6. Aug 17, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    If I had to bet $, spider gears-----
     
  7. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Spider gears are perfect yet, everything looks good in the diff. Here is the ring stamp showing 5.38 gearing.
    Resized_20220817_143617.jpeg
     
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  8. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Front spiders are fine. No visible carnage
     
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  9. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Resized_20220817_144305.jpeg
     
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  10. Aug 17, 2022
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Have you tried spinning a wheel by hand with the cover off, so you can watch the full rotation of all the gears?

    And you’re 100% sure the rear gearing is also 5.38?
     
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  11. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    I'll check rear next, but yes. I'm 99.99% sure it's 5.38 gearing back there.
    If i spin one tire while it's on jacks and I'm watching, the opposite tire don't spin. It wiggles a bit, but won't spin opposite direction of the one I'm manually turning.
    Hubs are engaged.
     
  12. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I spin the passenger, spider gears spin, drivers tire doesn't move.
    I spin the driver side tire the diff gears spin, but not the passenger tire.

    Maybe a broken axle shaft?
     
  13. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I hate my life.
    Just checked the rear axle, I have 4.27 gears in the back! Gear stamped 47-11.
    Checked the math...4/11=4.272727.

    Also matches the axle ratio tag.
    So I rebuilt a front axle to an imaginary gearing I don't have in the back.

    Resized_20220817_151712.jpeg
     
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  14. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Anybody want an axle ratio tag? Cheap...
    Resized_20220817_152829.jpeg
     
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  15. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Looks like this is getting installed sooner than a winter project
     
  16. Aug 17, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    That'll do it. At least the problem is solved.
     
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  17. Aug 17, 2022
    skipilot

    skipilot Member

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    Possibly a broken axle or front u-joint, but be methodical in you examination. Put it in 4wd and 1st gear so that the drive shaft can’t turn. Now when you turn a wheel the other should turn in the opposite direction. If the drive shaft is free to turn, you could have the motion you are putting into a wheel transfer to the drive shaft and not the other wheel, it all depends on where it’s getting the most resistance. Isolate what you are looking at as much as possible. A second set of eyes is also nice. Keep working the problem, you’ll find it.
    Tim

    ah, see you found the problem while I was posting.
     
  18. Aug 17, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Resized_20220817_153039.jpeg
     
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  19. Aug 17, 2022
    boopiejones

    boopiejones I can’t drive 55

    California east bay
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    Make sure the driveshaft isn’t spinning. With the driveshaft locked (either in 4wd or someone holding it steady) and both wheels off the ground, when you turn one wheel by hand the other should spin the opposite direction. Assuming all is well with that test, then it’s fairly safe to say the 4.27 vs 5.38 gearing is your only problem.
     
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  20. Aug 17, 2022
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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    Did you test drive this vehicle in 4WD after the Dana 30 installation?
     
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