what is the weekest link in 4x4 drivetrain
#1
what is the weekest link in 4x4 drivetrain
The other night I was doing some wheeling. I have a 89 bronco 4"lift ARB air lockers front and rear 33x12,5 bfgoodrich all terains. I had my rear lockers on and the truck was in 4 wheel drive. I was driving on the side of a creek when I hit a slipery spot and slid into the creek. This is in Houston Tx, so the creek bottom was mud not rocks. Well I had water coming into my cab and I could move forward about 30 ft and backwards about the same but I could not get enough traction to get out. I could not get my front lockers turned on because I didnt have enought space to get them to kick in. All of the suddon I couldn't move at all. After geting it reckered out and got it home. I realized the my front 4x4 was not working. When I climb under the truck and can spin the drive saft to the front and it will turn the dif's to the wheels. When I put it in 4x4 from the cab the transfer case locks in and I can not spin the drive shaft anymore. I have not had it up on a rack or stands and I have not removed the manual locking hubs. What do you guys think I have broke? I am guessing the manual locking hubs. Can one strip out the axels that go into you manual hubs? What would break first? What is the weekest piece to a 4x4 drive train?
#2
#3
It's also fairly easy to snap your outer stub on those axles though the hub usually serves as a "fuse" of sorts and will snap before the stub does. I don't remember if those use an open knuckle design but if so put the t-case in neutral and turn the driveshaft by hand. You want to check if you can see the shaft and u-joint turning properly. If they do then it's a hub.
#4
Originally Posted by 460
I think the weakest parts are the lock out hubs and front axle joints(D44).
From what you describe it sounds like broken/inoperative lock out hubs. It would be odd for both of them to break at the same time though.
From what you describe it sounds like broken/inoperative lock out hubs. It would be odd for both of them to break at the same time though.
#5