Rear Axle Assembly Spinning

[omfgitsdeej]

Alright, I'm new to these forums and new to Jeeps in general and all I can say is that I waited far too long to get involved with these awesome toys. I've had quite a few issues with my 1979 CJ5 although most were simple fixes or replacements but I'm currently experiencing something that I cannot find any information about. During takeoff/normal driving my whole rear axle assembly spins, this cause noise, shakiness and also cause some cracks in the rear end frame. Does anyone know what would cause this and what I could possibly do to stop it? Thanks in advance!

 

[coldair]

Do you have any picture of what your talking about? Is this the rear axle?

 

[coldair]

By axle I mean axle shaft.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

This is an image I found off the internet but it is the part I'm talking about. This as well as the tubes that link into it both turn when any amount of torque is added.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

It's damn near the whole rear end. It spins forward probably 30 degrees and forces the car to pull a little left.

 

[CJ]

The only way the axle housing can rotate is if the spring perch welds are broken or the u-bolts are so loose the axle is about to fall off.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

I have the U-Bolts as tight as they can get, where would I check to see if the spring perch welds are out?

 

[coldair]

Do you have a spring over lift?

 

[omfgitsdeej]

No, they are still under. Looks like the perch is worn out and I just noticed that the left side skid plate is gone, but the ride side is still there. Can new perches be purchased to weld on?

 

[CJ]

Yes, you can buy perches but I would really like to see a good pic of each side before making a recommendation.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

Went out and took some pictures, waiting for them to arrive in my email. Thanks for the help by the way! Don't pay attention to my friends attempts at welding a rig to keep it from moving.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

Overhead of drivers side

Drivers side rear view

Pass. side rear view

 

[jasonmark1993]

Not sure what those perches were but they looked unusually thin to me. Almost looks like some preformed sheet metal?

Either way, those welds arent going to hold. They didn't penetrate with the rust. The amount of torque transferred to these short wheelbase jeeps is extreme. On a brand new clean axle and set of perches I ripped two once inch welds off. Didn't hold until I weld all along the long side of the perch.

I suggest cutting those off; probably can knock them off with a hammer and ordering some new ones. Use a wire wheel on the axle to clean all the rust up.

 

[csuengr]

Holy ! What spring perches. Little off subject, but where is Greenwood?

 

[omfgitsdeej]

Yeah, the perches have bolts in them as well, looks as if it was a rig. Greenwood, Indiana.

 

[omfgitsdeej]

I think my axle tube is 2.5 inches but I can only find a perch for 3" tubes... Any ideas?

 

[Incommando]

You pictured a Dana 44 rear axle but you probably have an AMC model 20. Is it possible that the tubes are loose from the pig and the pig is rotating while the tubes are not? They have had such issues before to the point that many recommend adding additional welds to that area. Another possibility is that the leaf springs mounts, especially the ones where the front of the rear leafs attach to the frame, are rusted and loose? Just thinking out loud...

 

[omfgitsdeej]

I'm going to need a new axle perch either way, I just don't know what size to get. My axle tube is only 2.5" but all I can find is perch's for 3" tubes.