@#$$%^!!!!!

Okay, so I found out that I have some sort of autolocker in the rear.

How did I find out?

Well, I was starting out at a stoplight, and the final rod in the clutch linkage assembly comes loose. This causes my super strong clutch (why the prior owner put such a beefy clutch in, I don't know) to abruptly engage as the pedal goes to the floor. This transfers the bountiful torque of the 304 ci V8 to the rear wheels and the locker engages.

Seeing as my tires were nice and grippy, they decided to stay relatively planted, and instead the tension was relieved by the following:

-The u-joint that snapped in half.
-The differential end of my driveshaft that ripped itself apart
-My spring perches which came unseparated from the rear axles. You can now rotate the entire axle housing.

#$%@#(*%!!!!!

So I had it towed to pep boys -- hey, they were open and within my 5 mile towing radius. Plus, I don't have a regular mechanic for the jeep yet.

So here's what needs to be done: New driveshaft and U joint, and the perches either need to be reattched to the axle, or a new axle housing swapped in.

For the cost of doing all of this, should I just go ahead and convert to a spring over, since that'd involve new perches and new driveshafts anyways? I imagine the prices to be similar.

The vehicle in question is a '73 CJ-5.

Thanks!

 

Deja - JU - vu?

 

Wha?

The axle rotating on the axle pads seems strangest to me. Breaking a u-joint is no big deal - typically you'd toss the driveshaft in the Jeep and drive home on front wheel drive.

The axle-rotating-deal seems so strange becasue both the brakes and the power require that the axle not rotate in its pads. The pads are welded to the housing very securely ... again, both going and stopping depends on the axles being well-coupled to the springs and then to the frame. You'll break an axle shaft way sooner than you'll twist the axle off of its pads.

All I can think of is that the PO detached the pads from the axle (by lots of grinding), rotated the axle for better pinion angle, and did not reweld the pads.

 

I suspect someone changed the angle of the pads and cold welded these back on (no deep bond). It was an accident waiting to happen. An axle needs alot of heat for a proper weld. Need a 220 mig or Arc with some amps behind it. I trust arc more on heavy steel.

My first parts Jeep had AA motor mounts in it. After pulling the engine, I was evaluating where to grind the welds to remove the nice mounts. The welds looked bad but at least ran the full length. I grabbed a BFH and gave it one blow. The mount flew right off! Cold weld!

Man, sorry to hear about the mess!

 

yeah, it looks like some welding was done -- where the spring perches originally connected, there were two metal pads that were welded flush to the axle, and then the perches had been welded to them.

Oh well, at least I'm getting it towed by AAA to an actual 4wd shop today. The guys at Pepboys wanted me to swap out the axle housing!

 

A Spring Over Is A Good Idea If You Are Able And Willing To Spend A Bit Of Time Perfecting It. You Might Consider Either Later Cj Springs Or Wrangler Springs Obviously The Wider The Better. Also Steering Will Be A Concern Maybe A High Steer Would Be In Line. And Get Ready For Axle Wrap Youll Need A Traction Bar. I Do However Enjoy The Offroad Performance, On Road Is Another Story.