Stock M210/220 Trail Failure Poll

[GATORB8]

I've got a planned Rubicon/Fordyce trip in August and have been contemplating axle modifications/upgrades and spare parts. Even searching, it's a bit difficult to identify key failure points linked to actual trail experience.

So I figured, why not ask. What have YOU personally broken, not youtube, not 5 year old post from an OP that isn't around anymore.

Flame Suit On, on our 4xe Rubicon I'm running 38" TGs on beadlocks. Stock axles (the 4xe has the heavier JT style), stock shafts (including front CVs), Dynatrac BJs. I am not a send-it wheeler when unnecessary and have a lot of time on the rocks on 37s with no issues (knock on wood).

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[GATORB8]

@chevymitchell Be interested to hear what you've seen come through the shop as well.

 

[EbyCreek]

I tore the passenger side CV boot on my 2021 392 Wrangler. Had to order a new axle shaft as you can't purchase the boot separately.

 

[chevymitchell]

@chevymitchell Be interested to hear what you've seen come through the shop as well.

In the last year or so, I've seen more broken rear shafts than anything. Only one broken ring and pinion set. (D44, caused by bouncing). Outside of that, couple of rear driveshafts, bent axle shafts, one front U-Joint, but no front ring and pinions, no front driveshafts. I have had 3 transfer cases though.

Normal stuff really. I expect there to be more coming through here now that I live in Colorado.

 

[chevymitchell]

In the last year or so, I've seen more broken rear shafts than anything. Only one broken ring and pinion set. (D44, caused by bouncing). Outside of that, couple of rear driveshafts, bent axle shafts, one front U-Joint, but no front ring and pinions, no front driveshafts. I have had 3 transfer cases though.

Normal stuff really. I expect there to be more coming through here now that I live in Colorado.

I've ran the Rubicon 3 times now. All 3 times have been with the Jamboree, so a lot of rigs but also spotting was available if you wanted it.

The only breaks on those 3 trips were 4 front u-joints, 2 rear shafts, and a brake caliper. LOTS of overheating steering pumps though. I mean, a bunch. These little electric steering pumps in the JL do not like wheeling for 6-8 hours a day, non-stop,.... at idle. Lol.

I'd go with RCV's up front and be done. The rest will be solid for you.

 

[Maverick909]

when i do the rubicon in july/aug i plan on bring axle shafts just in case and gear oil. so far I havent had a failure though.

 

[chevymitchell]

Man… all you guys coming from NC to CA sounds awesome. Wish I could join you. I’m heading the other way in July. Turkey Bay, Hot Springs, and Kansas Rocks.

You most certainly have a free place to crash here in CO if you need it.

If you want to add Holy Cross to your itinerary, let me know. I’ll join for that, for sure.

 

[chevymitchell]

My brother and I installing RCV’s in the street next to a Jeep dealer. This was in CA the day before running the Rubicon. lol. Had the shafts shipped to our hotel and then got to work.

Man… this was almost 6 years ago already. Wtf. lol.

 

[jadmt]

I've ran the Rubicon 3 times now. All 3 times have been with the Jamboree, so a lot of rigs but also spotting was available if you wanted it.

The only breaks on those 3 trips were 4 front u-joints, 2 rear shafts, and a brake caliper. LOTS of overheating steering pumps though. I mean, a bunch. These little electric steering pumps in the JL do not like wheeling for 6-8 hours a day, non-stop,.... at idle. Lol.

I'd go with RCV's up front and be done. The rest will be solid for you.

do you recall how any of those failures correlated to tire size? ie 35 vs 37vs bigger? I know my power steering pump overheats with just 35's.....

 

[chevymitchell]

when i do the rubicon in july/aug i plan on bring axle shafts just in case and gear oil. so far I havent had a failure though.

That’s a good call. I always had a set of spare U-joints for the front shafts and a set of stock rear shafts with me.

 

[chevymitchell]

do you recall how any of those failures correlated to tire size? ie 35 vs 37vs bigger? I know my power steering pump overheats with just 35's.....

I don’t remember tire sizes. Nearly everyone was 37’s or they were the majority, for sure. Not sure past that though.

 

[EbyCreek]

I've went through 3 power steering pumps at 11,000 miles. I added the Apex steering kit with cooler but didn't make a difference. If the pump gets hot enough it starts dumping fluid. I added a fan to the front of the pump that I run while rock crawling. Never had a Hot Power Steering Light since adding the Fan. I have it hooked to one of my Aux switches and only run it when off road. It's a cheap fix that seems to work.

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[GATORB8]

Man… all you guys coming from NC to CA sounds awesome. Wish I could join you. I’m heading the other way in July. Turkey Bay, Hot Springs, and Kansas Rocks.

You most certainly have a free place to crash here in CO if you need it.

If you want to add Holy Cross to your itinerary, let me know. I’ll join for that, for sure.

Unless you guys are doing Land Between the Lakes as a rest stop, I'd skip Turkey Bay, it was pretty underwhelming. There is some cool non-Jeep stuff to do in the area.

 

[chevymitchell]

Unless you guys are doing Land Between the Lakes as a rest stop, I'd skip Turkey Bay, it was pretty underwhelming. There is some cool non-Jeep stuff to do in the area.

Hmm... I have heard the same from others, as well. Maybe we'll just shorten our time there. I'm going with @UNC Rubicon and since he's coming from NC, it's more of a meeting spot for us both before heading to Hot Springs.

 

[GATORB8]

I've ran the Rubicon 3 times now. All 3 times have been with the Jamboree, so a lot of rigs but also spotting was available if you wanted it.

The only breaks on those 3 trips were 4 front u-joints, 2 rear shafts, and a brake caliper. LOTS of overheating steering pumps though. I mean, a bunch. These little electric steering pumps in the JL do not like wheeling for 6-8 hours a day, non-stop,.... at idle. Lol.

I'd go with RCV's up front and be done. The rest will be solid for you.

Have you seen any OEM front CVs break? Our 4xe has those instead of U-Joints like the 392s and other full time T-Case rigs.

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