d44 axle/ u-joint problems

[cantgetright]

@-) I was wondering if anybody has had any problems with throwing caps out of their front axles because of the retaining rings getting lost. I personally have broken 3 axles, 2 on my ifs d44 and 1 on my current solid d44. I just recently replaced the broken axle and had to replace the other side's u-joint. It is the first u-joint installation in my solid d44 that I have done. Everything, to the best of my knowledge was perfect, but the last time I drove it on a long trip to go wheelin' i found that one side's endcap had fell out. Luckily i caught it before i destroyed my axle but I am very frustrated about the fact that I can't keep the caps in. Even my factory installed u-joints are doing the same thing. I have thought about tacking the retaining clips to the axle with a MIG but I'm unsure the quality and reprocussions of doing such. Does anybody have any ideas?? Thanks.

Brian Rice

Riverview, FL

 

[miesk5]

@-) I was wondering if anybody has had any problems with throwing caps out of their front axles because of the retaining rings getting lost. I personally have broken 3 axles, 2 on my ifs d44 and 1 on my current solid d44. I just recently replaced the broken axle and had to replace the other side's u-joint. It is the first u-joint installation in my solid d44 that I have done. Everything, to the best of my knowledge was perfect, but the last time I drove it on a long trip to go wheelin' i found that one side's endcap had fell out. Luckily i caught it before i destroyed my axle but I am very frustrated about the fact that I can't keep the caps in. Even my factory installed u-joints are doing the same thing. I have thought about tacking the retaining clips to the axle with a MIG but I'm unsure the quality and reprocussions of doing such. Does anybody have any ideas?? Thanks.

Brian Rice

Riverview, FL

yo!

you can thank Mark for this!: and buy him a beer!

"The #1 reason for u-joint failure (besides age) is the U-joint caps walking themselves out of the yoke. This can be cured by machining the axles to use a full circle snap ring, buying after market shafts like Moser's and Warns's, or by tack welding the caps of the u-joints to the axle. Now none of these are a "have to do" thing but if you want to get the most time out of your U-joints it is recommend. Tack welding them is what i choose because we are still using our 30 year old axle shafts and it does not seem worth the effort to machine a new snap ring groove in and new axles were out of the question because we did not have the money

I followed my "on the trail" repair and used my Ready Welder to tack the caps on there. When welding the caps, you need to have the heat down low and make small tacks then allow plenty of time for the joint to cool so you do not burn the grease out. Slap them back in your truck and your are ready to hit the trails again

-Mark H..."

http://www.wt4x4.net/tech/ujoint.htm

 

[tbm]

Full circle rings.

The only 'machining' required can be done with your angle grinder.

 

[Broncoholics]

I always tac the caps on. I keep a bucket of water or damp rag near by. As I tac each side (3 tacks on eack cap) I dunk the u-joint in the water to cool it down.