Dynatrac Ball Joint Issue - Need advice.

[azwjowner]

I’m going to pull the axle shaft back out tomorrow morning and try reseating it. I don’t know what else could be the issue right now. Don’t have the energy to keep troubleshooting tonight. I’ll check back in tomorrow. Thanks again for the help.

Seems to be others reporting it, and only at the driver's side: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...n-axle-rotational-click-clunk-thoughts.35592/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/noise-from-front-wheel-axle.65720/

Probably weighs in favor of this being normal, likely spider gears. You could try shifting between 2wd and 4wd and see if the passenger axle also makes the noise only in 4wd.

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[JustSendItDude]

Seems to be others reporting it, and only at the driver's side: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...n-axle-rotational-click-clunk-thoughts.35592/

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/noise-from-front-wheel-axle.65720/

Probably weighs in favor of this being normal. Something with the internals of the locker favors the driver's side for making noise turning the spider gears.

Yessir. I read both of those threads already and am hoping it is normal. But, I’m pretty sure I’ve rotated the hub before to line up the studs before putting my tire back on and I don’t recall hearing that noise. I’m going to try to find a video of the inner workings of that connection so I can see if it could somehow seat wrong

 

[azwjowner]

Yessir. I read both of those threads already and am hoping it is normal. But, I’m pretty sure I’ve rotated the hub before to line up the studs before putting my tire back on and I don’t recall hearing that noise. I’m going to try to find a video of the inner workings of that connection so I can see if it could somehow seat wrong

But if you had the vehicle in 2wd those other times you rotated the hub, it would let the driveshaft spin. Your front driveshaft is locked in 4wd now, and presumably your rear tires are on the ground so it can't spin. That puts different loads on the spider gears.

 

[JustSendItDude]

But if you had the vehicle in 2wd those other times you rotated the hub, it would let the driveshaft spin. Your front driveshaft is locked in 4wd now, and presumably your rear tires are on the ground so it can't spin. That puts different loads on the spider gears.

Good point! Since the collar didn’t switch to the inner rod when I put in 4H, can I switch it back to 2WD and see if the noise disappears?

 

[azwjowner]

Good point! Since the collar didn’t switch to the inner rod when I put in 4H, can I switch it back to 2WD and see if the noise disappears?

That should be fine.

 

[BadA$$Rubi]

Question for the OP…
How did you reinstall the FAD splined coupling, fully engaged on the passenger axle or engaged on both halves of the passenger & intermediate shafts?
I’m asking this because of your earlier post of not knowing whether the FAD was engaged or not. Did you reinstall the fork actuator of the FAD properly in the groove of the splined coupling? If the fork is not installed correctly, this might be the noise you are describing.
?

 

[JustSendItDude]

Question for the OP…
How did you reinstall the FAD splined coupling, fully engaged on the passenger axle or engaged on both halves of the passenger & intermediate shafts?
I’m asking this because of your earlier post of not knowing whether the FAD was engaged or not. Did you reinstall the fork actuator of the FAD properly in the groove of the splined coupling? If the fork is not installed correctly, this might be the noise you are describing.
?

I’m pretty sure the coupling is fully engaged on the passenger axle and is slotted into the fork correctly. When I spin the passenger side axle, I don’t hear anything. Only when the driver side is rotated, the clicking exists. It sounds like the clicking is coming from the section where the driver side axle connects with whatever it connects to inside. Is there a chance it didn’t seat properly?

 

[Roky]

I’m pretty sure the coupling is fully engaged on the passenger axle and is slotted into the fork correctly. When I spin the passenger side axle, I don’t hear anything. Only when the driver side is rotated, the clicking exists. It sounds like the clicking is coming from the section where the driver side axle connects with whatever it connects to inside. Is there a chance it didn’t seat properly?

That’s what it sounds like to me……but hard to diagnose without hands on…..

 

[Remorseless]

I’m pretty sure the coupling is fully engaged on the passenger axle and is slotted into the fork correctly. When I spin the passenger side axle, I don’t hear anything. Only when the driver side is rotated, the clicking exists. It sounds like the clicking is coming from the section where the driver side axle connects with whatever it connects to inside. Is there a chance it didn’t seat properly?

Did that axle shaft have the little Mopar plastic alignment clip/ring thing on it? Any chance it's that? Either way, double check 4H engages properly and that the FAD is squared away, pull that shaft and make sure it seats in all the way. Best way to get peace of mind.

 

[JustSendItDude]

I took the axle shaft back out and reseated it. Felt the exact same as the first time. Everything lines up but clicking noise still exists. Given the amount of people saying they have similar issues, I’m going to button everything up and roll it a few times back and forth to let things cycle. I read the clicking noise shouldn’t be present when vehicle is under power. We’ll see what happens.

 

[JustSendItDude]

**Another update

Got everything torqued down to specs and got the tires back on. Rolled it into the driveway slowly and felt everything was working as intended and no clicking noise could be heard. I took it down the street at about 5mph and felt great. Stopped and cycled through all the 4WD modes and every switch was made perfectly. No weird noises or unexpected issues. I think I’m feeling pretty good about it guys. As always, I appreciate everyone’s insight, advice, and encouragement. Biggest job I've ever tackled as a weekend warrior. But I’m glad I did it and got through to the other side mostly unscathed.

 

[Roky]

**Another update

Got everything torqued down to specs and got the tires back on. Rolled it into the driveway slowly and felt everything was working as intended and no clicking noise could be heard. I took it down the street at about 5mph and felt great. Stopped and cycled through all the 4WD modes and every switch was made perfectly. No weird noises or unexpected issues. I think I’m feeling pretty good about it guys. As always, I appreciate everyone’s insight, advice, and encouragement. Biggest job I've ever tackled as a weekend warrior. But I’m glad I did it and got through to the other side mostly unscathed.

Love these kinda stories, nice work brother…..

 

[Wraith]

I am planning on doing mine this weekend and happen to stumble across this thread. Glad to see you got it all buttoned up, and good pointers from everyone here about working them in slowly at different angles. I do have the Dynatrac install kit as well as the previously linked Amazon balljoint press.

What did everyone end up using for torque specs for the axle components? I am also changing out my knuckles to the 392 steel ones at the same time.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Don’t worry, it gets plenty of oil, lol….this the rear diff but you can see how fast the oil gets everywhere soon as the ring gear gets going

I think...the ring gear isn't turning with the FAD in the disconnected position, but the outer axle on the passenger side, is turning its pilot stub inside the bushing of the inner shaft. The factory uses a graphite impregnated plastic for the bushing, likely because it isn't getting lubricated in 2wd mode.

 

[Roky]

I think...the ring gear isn't turning with the FAD in the disconnected position, but the outer axle on the passenger side, is turning its pilot stub inside the bushing of the inner shaft. The factory uses a graphite impregnated plastic for the bushing, likely because it isn't getting lubricated in 2wd mode.

Yeah, I’m aware, but my RCVs has a brass bushing, so I’m thinking oil is getting over there somehow, obviously not as much as in 4wd. I’ve never looked into it to be honest with ya………

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