Broke something in front axle?

[Keith C]

I was on the Rubicon Trail this past week and broke something in the front axle I believe. Was beginning to climb an obstacle and heard a snap. Front passenger tire would not spin and I figured it was an axle shaft. Winched out to a safe spot, took tire off and removed axle shaft and it was not broken. I am thinking it is the FAD but I have not yet taken that apart. Left axle shaft out and drove the rest of the trail basically in 3 wheel drive which really sucks! (was winched and pulled several times) Was able to drive 8 hours home without further issue.
Suggestions for what to look at?

Suggestions for fixes? I do not want to spend $6k on a new axle.

2019 JLUR on 37s with 3.5" Metalcloak Game Changer, 5.13 gearing.

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[word302]

I was on the Rubicon Trail this past week and broke something in the front axle I believe. Was beginning to climb an obstacle and heard a snap. Front passenger tire would not spin and I figured it was an axle shaft. Winched out to a safe spot, took tire off and removed axle shaft and it was not broken. I am thinking it is the FAD but I have not yet taken that apart. Left axle shaft out and drove the rest of the trail basically in 3 wheel drive which really sucks! (was winched and pulled several times) Was able to drive 8 hours home without further issue.
Suggestions for what to look at?

Suggestions for fixes? I do not want to spend $6k on a new axle.

2019 JLUR on 37s with 3.5" Metalcloak Game Changer, 5.13 gearing.

There are so many variables. Were the gears done by a reputable shop? The FAD is super easy to pull the motor and inspect.

 

[grimmjeeper]

You may have broken the inner shaft. Or the FAD collar. That would be my first thing to look for.

 

[Keith C]

There are so many variables. Were the gears done by a reputable shop? The FAD is super easy to pull the motor and inspect.

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, gears were done by reputable shop and were done many trails ago.
This weekend I will try to pull the FAD cover off and see what damage may be in there.

 

[Keith C]

Be very glad you could still drive home.

Me too!

 

[Maverick909]

I agree inner shaft or fad

 

[chevymitchell]

I'll roll the dice. Lol.

I'll put $2 on spider gears.

 

[AcesandEights]

I think if you were able to drive in 3WD, the gears are fine. I'd guess ef ay dee.

 

[Keith C]

Finally cracked it open today. Inner Axle shaft snapped right at the FAD.

Now I have to figure out where to get a replacement. I don't want to go the RCV route (don't like the idea of all that grease) or delete the FAD. I just want a replacement shaft or possibly upgrade to better shafts but without having to modify. Are there plug and play upgrades for axle shafts?

 

[grimmjeeper]

At least it snapped where you could grab it to pull it out. If it snapped in the middle it is harder to extract the pieces.

There are several options to upgrade your shafts. FAD delete shafts are more common. I'm running RCVs myself. There are some threads here about various options.

 

[Chance_P]

RCV makes a kit that retains the fad (it's what I run). They will sell you individual components from the kit so you can just upgrade the inner shaft. (I'm 90% sure the RCV shaft is a direct replacement)

The grease isn't that big of a deal as long as you don't over do it with the grease. Most of the mess stays in the wheel.

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