Front Drive Shaft Update

[Mountain4x4]

Come on Logsplitter this all about solutions! And I never said practical!

 

[ECrider]

Come on Logsplitter this all about solutions! And I never said practical!

Perhaps a portal to another dimension where the alignment was never out of whack?

 

[ECrider]

and while I'm at it one to where we won the first test.

 

[Mountain4x4]

Perhaps a portal to another dimension where the alignment was never out of whack?

Going to have carry some 46MM wrenches to tighten things. Need to get those.

 

[pmatusov]

I want to believe you but that would only occur when all wheels have equal traction and are rotating at the same speed (and have equal circumferences). That doesn't occur when turning.

Incorrect; with three open diffs, each wheel receives 1/4 of the full torque output of the transfer case.
The power received by each wheel, however, will be different in a turn.

 

[pmatusov]

I suggested a driveshaft loop might be an insurance should the joint fail.

Yesterday I was changing motor oil, and had exactly the same idea - with the loop mounted on the transmission bash plate or using two threaded holes in the crossmember. I think Agile or others could incorporate that into their transmission skidplates by default.

 

[landmannnn]

Yesterday I was changing motor oil, and had exactly the same idea - with the loop mounted on the transmission bash plate or using two threaded holes in the crossmember. I think Agile or others could incorporate that into their transmission skidplates by default.

Yes. That's what I did in post #826 in this thread

 

[255/85]

Incorrect; with three open diffs, each wheel receives 1/4 of the full torque output of the transfer case.
The power received by each wheel, however, will be different in a turn.

I already admitted my error but sInce you brought it back up...

Torque * Speed = Power

In some minimal amount that I don't have the mathematical skill to demonstrate - In normal on road driving with the transfercase unlocked - the front driveshaft will see more wear simply by rotating more than the rear - especially the boots. This is only evident when making a turn and would be of little consequence if the DS was oriented in line between the transfer case output and the differential pinion input.

From Auburn Gear (just for the annoyance factor):

"Few drivers realize that torque follows the path of least resistance. When a vehicle with a standard open differential is in a situation with poor traction, power from the driveline goes directly to the wheel with the least traction, making that wheel spin without traction, so the vehicle may not be able to move."

I recently put Auburn lockers in two different vehicles. They used the term "torque" during most of my interaction with the company. I simply parroted back my limited understanding. Yawn.

 

[LeftCoastOverland]

@ECrider @Logsplitter
Curious... Did either of you experience a sudden jump in fuel consumption prior to the failure?

I just rolled over 30,000KM on mine, and have noticed the last 5,000KM Fuel econ has been getting progressively worse. I'd been consistently getting 12.5 L/100km for the first year and a half, but recently the usage has bumped up to about 14/15L per 100 (all other factors being the same). I've been trying to diagnose it with the usual suspects. New air intake filter, fuel injector cleaner, tire pressures, etc. but nothing has really remedied the issue.
I've noticed some axle fluid present in the form of a drip at the front pinion oil seal. (Didn't think much of it...) But I wonder if I've lost enough gear oil that the axle is causing more friction and eating into my fuel econ. OR worse yet setting itself up for the catastrophic failure you all have been experiencing.

Thanks for sharing, I'll get booked in for a service with the local maintenance Dept. ASAP.

 

[NQ94]

@ECrider @Logsplitter
Curious... Did either of you experience a sudden jump in fuel consumption prior to the failure?

I just rolled over 30,000KM on mine, and have noticed the last 5,000KM Fuel econ has been getting progressively worse. I'd been consistently getting 12.5 L/100km for the first year and a half, but recently the usage has bumped up to about 14/15L per 100 (all other factors being the same). I've been trying to diagnose it with the usual suspects. New air intake filter, fuel injector cleaner, tire pressures, etc. but nothing has really remedied the issue.
I've noticed some axle fluid present in the form of a drip at the front pinion oil seal. (Didn't think much of it...) But I wonder if I've lost enough gear oil that the axle is causing more friction and eating into my fuel econ. OR worse yet setting itself up for the catastrophic failure you all have been experiencing.

Thanks for sharing, I'll get booked in for a service with the local maintenance Dept. ASAP.

You haven't modified anything, changed tyre sizes or type or new additions to change the vehicle? We saw it with high way trucks a lot, increased fuel consumption with no change how the vehicle was configured or operated. 90% of the time it ended up being an air leak on the boost side of the intake caused by lose/incorrectly installed clamps, cracked charge air coolers or a perforation in the intake pipes caused by abrasion. The workshop should pressure test the boost side of the intake system to check for leaks. If you have lost that much oil in the diff to cause more friction you would be hearing it whine by now.

 

[LeftCoastOverland]

You haven't modified anything, changed tyre sizes or type or new additions to change the vehicle? We saw it with high way trucks a lot, increased fuel consumption with no change how the vehicle was configured or operated. 90% of the time it ended up being an air leak on the boost side of the intake caused by lose/incorrectly installed clamps, cracked charge air coolers or a perforation in the intake pipes caused by abrasion. The workshop should pressure test the boost side of the intake system to check for leaks. If you have lost that much oil in the diff to cause more friction you would be hearing it whine by now.

Yeah, I agree on the whine. I've experienced it before on a Dodge Dakota I used to have, and definitely haven't been hearing anything out of sorts.
As far as modifications - nothing has been added or removed from the vehicle since initially building it out. I've got several mods which I'm sure affect fuel econ, but they've been on for 1.5 years, and I averaged 12.5L/100 for a long time.
I'm considering pulling the MAF out and hitting it with some spray cleaner to see if that helps, otherwise .I'll see if my local service can pressure test my boost. Thanks for the input.

 

[ECrider]

Yeah, I agree on the whine. I've experienced it before on a Dodge Dakota I used to have, and definitely haven't been hearing anything out of sorts.
As far as modifications - nothing has been added or removed from the vehicle since initially building it out. I've got several mods which I'm sure affect fuel econ, but they've been on for 1.5 years, and I averaged 12.5L/100 for a long time.
I'm considering pulling the MAF out and hitting it with some spray cleaner to see if that helps, otherwise .I'll see if my local service can pressure test my boost. Thanks for the input.

Hi there. I don't think so, it has always been thirsty. I average about 19-22mpg per tank fill. Diesel. I have now had 4 front pinion seals and it continues to leak, as does the rear. It's possible that the seal is put under more strain as the shaft(s) reach near to their maximum angle of articulation - hadn't thought of that before. Just thinking aloud.

 

[Logsplitter]

No change in fuel consumption for me and no change in sound prior to failure. Just an almighty noise when it failed. Firstly a loud bang and then the loud noise of the prop thrashing around until I came to a stop. I’ve had front pinion seal changed and still have a slight weep also.