Dynatrac Ball Joint Issue - Need advice.

[Jubi351]

Did you put it in 4WD while not moving and shut it off? If so the collar might not have lined up to the inner shaft before shutting the vehicle off. Either way it's an easy fix

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[JustSendItDude]

Yup, you both are correct. Just let it sit and engaged 4H. Did not spin the tires to ensure the collar slipped. Opening up the FAD it is! Learning a bunch at the same time, so not too big of a deal. Thanks for the help gentlemen.

*edit - do I need to worry about losing any fluid or lubricant when opening the FAD cover?

 

[azwjowner]

Shoot. Any reason why it didn’t stay seated when switching into 4H?

I put the Jeep in run (not the engine running), shift into 4wd, wait a few seconds to hear the electric motor shift the collar, and only then turn it off. Not sure if moving the transfer case lever while the Jeep is totally off is sufficient to move the collar.

 

[JustSendItDude]

I put the Jeep in run (not the engine running), shift into 4th, wait a few seconds to hear the electric motor shift the collar, and only then turn it off. Not sure if moving the transfer case lever while the Jeep is totally off is sufficient to move the collar.

Jeep was on when I switched into 4H and I didn’t turn it off right away. So I feel it should have had time to shift. But, I think without moving the tires, it didn’t slide on all the way and came off when I removed the outer shaft.

 

[Remorseless]

Jeep was on when I switched into 4H and I didn’t turn it off right away. So I feel it should have had time to shift. But, I think without moving the tires, it didn’t slide on all the way and came off when I removed the outer shaft.

More than likely. Just too much misalignment between the outer and inner shaft for the collar to slide on properly. Would've popped into place if you gave it a spin and said "That ain't going anywhere". Last part's critical.

 

[JustSendItDude]

More than likely. Just too much misalignment between the outer and inner shaft for the collar to slide on properly. Would've popped into place if you gave it a spin and said "That ain't going anywhere". Last part's critical.

Any concern when opening the FAD cover? Do I need to add lubrication/anti seize anywhere when putting it all back together or will the stuff it has on it already still be enough?

 

[Remorseless]

Any concern when opening the FAD cover? Do I need to add lubrication/anti seize anywhere when putting it all back together or will the stuff it has on it already still be enough?

Nah. If anything there'll be just a touch of gear oil in there, but that will be stuff that escaped the inner axle seal. If I remember right there's a rubber gasket on the FAD too, so no adding RTV or any of that arts and craft stuff.

 

[azwjowner]

Nah. If anything there'll be just a touch of gear oil in there, but that will be stuff that escaped the inner axle seal. If I remember right there's a rubber gasket on the FAD too, so no adding RTV or any of that arts and craft stuff.

The inner axle seal is outside of the FAD.

 

[Engine Guy]

So I can state that I changed my ball joints while in 2WD. I worked with it for about 20 minutes and it finally lined up and the shaft went in.

Admittedly I had forgotten to switch to 4WD and I was tired and “just” did it…

 

[Remorseless]

The inner axle seal is outside of the FAD.

Thought there was still one seal on each side of the diff? I know there are intermediate shaft bearings out at the end of the FAD inner shaft.

 

[azwjowner]

Thought there was still one seal on each side of the diff?

No, to get oil into the FAD the seal is moved outboard of the FAD. That said, there's minimal oil in the FAD when opened, because it's just what has splashed side to side while the vehicle was in motion. The fill level isn't that high.

 

[JustSendItDude]

There was a fair amount of fluid that came out. I hope I don’t need to add anything back!

Got the cover open now. Any tips to getting the shaft in with the collar being one person? I feel like I need a 2nd set of hands to push the shaft in while I’m holding the collar in place.

 

[azwjowner]

There was a fair amount of fluid that came out. I hope I don’t need to add anything back!

Got the cover open now. Any tips to getting the shaft in with the collar being one person? I feel like I need a 2nd set of hands to push the shaft in while I’m holding the collar in place.

I didn’t do this, but you could duct tape the collar in place as long as you remember to remove it afterwards.

I‘m OCD so I’d top off the gear oil when you’re done. It’s just opening a fill plug and adding an ounce or two.

 

[JustSendItDude]

Should the collar in theory slide onto the inner shaft too? Could I slide it onto the inner shaft, get the outer shaft pushed into the outer and then slide the collar back over onto the outer? I’m watching a few videos and looks like this collar slides over both the outer and inner

 

[azwjowner]

Should the collar in theory slide onto the inner shaft too? Could I slide it onto the inner shaft, get the outer shaft pushed into the outer and then slide the collar back over onto the outer? I’m watching a few videos and looks like this collar slides over both the outer and inner

Yes, it slides over both. I think I did just that —slid the collar on the inner, put the outer shaft in, and then slid the collar like you describe to be on both, as that lined up with the fork on the FAD cover when I put it back on.

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