[Guest]

Well, it finally happened. I have about a year of moderate 'wheeling on my axle swap using some home shortened axleshafts and I broke one. I was out on a local trail and I bound it up a bit and in granny low gave it a bit of throttle (not much) and when it hopped once, I heard that telltale clank. So I pulled out the broken part of the shaft and bolted the cap back on and finished the trail in 3wd. Gotta love that full floater. Got home and measured things up and gave Dutchman a call for some custom shafts. Got the new shafts and put them in. Backed out of the driveway and gave it a bit of gas as I turned expecting to hear the usual chirp of the tire as I turned and instead got a nice crunching popping noise. So I pulled it back in to the garage and pulled the carrier. Sure enough, all the little teeth that the ramp uses to push the jaw clutch out of engagement are broken off. They had stacked up and prevented the coupler from engaging.

Question: Has anyone heard of this? Is it defective? Is it from the backlash of breaking the shaft? It was working perfectly up to the moment that I broke the shaft and it drove OK on the way home once i pulled the broken shaft out. All the broken teeth are on the side with the broken shaft. Does Detroit owe me a new locker? Or do I get to buy it myself? It's only $300, but still, I had other plans for that $300. . . . .

Thanks for any advice!

Jason '87YJ
(350/NP435/D300twinstick/SOA/GM14-FF-Detroit/D44/M8274)

 

[Guest]

what you have is a something that can happen with a detroit. the torque release (snapping) of the broken axle has wiped out the detroit. i have talked to a few people that have had the same problem, and at least one i know was able to warrantee it. i would give tractech a call and see what they will do for you.

dan
Good things come to those who do research!!