And THIS is what I found.....
CJim7
Crazy Sr. Respected Jeeper
- Posts
- 3,590
- Media
- 1
- Thanks
- 4
- Location
- Twin Falls ID
- Vehicle(s)
- '84 CJ7 - 430hp 401 on propane - T18a/D300 twinsticked, Superior axles, Lockers, full boatsides, Warn 8274, OBA, 36" TSL's.
Just prior to my CJ deciding it wanted to quit running, I had it out for a little drive and noticed a "clunking" coming from the rear end. Not just the sound, but you could feel it (almost like a flat tire, but not that dramatic)
So last night I decided to tear into the rear end. At this point, I was suspecting it was just the U-joint, but this was a good chance to check and regrease bearings as well as inspect the R&P and locker, bearing caps, bolts, etc.
What I found was simple....but a little unsettling.
What you are seeing is the brake piston behind the axle flange. One of the lug bolts had broken free and spun back out during a lug nut install (probably when I rotated my tires not long ago). the bolt head of the lug contacted the brake piston and was working on grinding it apart.
A quick lesson for anyone doing a 1-piece install. the lug bolts are to be torqued to 65-75 ftlbs with thread locker. this is mandatory, but more importantly, if you remove and replace lug nuts, be sure to check that these lug bolts are not loosening. They will not tighten back up when torqueing the lug nuts down like most lug bolts will as they are threaded. Tightening the nuts only loosens the bolts once they are broke free from the flange. They will simply spin out as the lugs are tightened and damage the brake assembly or worse.
On the bright side, the diff and locker are still tight and look brand new after over 15 years of use. Bearings looked great.
So last night I decided to tear into the rear end. At this point, I was suspecting it was just the U-joint, but this was a good chance to check and regrease bearings as well as inspect the R&P and locker, bearing caps, bolts, etc.
What I found was simple....but a little unsettling.
What you are seeing is the brake piston behind the axle flange. One of the lug bolts had broken free and spun back out during a lug nut install (probably when I rotated my tires not long ago). the bolt head of the lug contacted the brake piston and was working on grinding it apart.
A quick lesson for anyone doing a 1-piece install. the lug bolts are to be torqued to 65-75 ftlbs with thread locker. this is mandatory, but more importantly, if you remove and replace lug nuts, be sure to check that these lug bolts are not loosening. They will not tighten back up when torqueing the lug nuts down like most lug bolts will as they are threaded. Tightening the nuts only loosens the bolts once they are broke free from the flange. They will simply spin out as the lugs are tightened and damage the brake assembly or worse.
On the bright side, the diff and locker are still tight and look brand new after over 15 years of use. Bearings looked great.