Do I have a rear axle problem?

[Kingmeow]

Building the kit.

After finishing the two axles I noticed that I can grab the wheel hex hub and spin them freely in either direction for the front axle. Nice and smooth.

But for the rear axle I can only do it spinning as if it was going backwards. Spinning the hex hub in the forward direction jams the gear inside the diff, preventing further rotation.

However I can take the input shaft of the rear axle and spin it freely in either direction.

I find it strange that the rear axle doesn't behave like the front axle.

Is this an issue?

[splyn]

probably. id disassemble and check to see if everything is correct and the correct bolts are used. Are you using the printed instructions or the downloaded ones? I built my kit from the downloaded ones even though the version number matched the printed manual that came with the kit.

[Kingmeow]

Originally Posted by splyn

probably. id disassemble and check to see if everything is correct and the correct bolts are used. Are you using the printed instructions or the downloaded ones? I built my kit from the downloaded ones even though the version number matched the printed manual that came with the kit.

My printed manual part number matches the online PDF version but I used the online PDF version just in case.

I'll take it a part and see. Luckily the axle has not been installed yet.

[OSRC]

Probably nothing wrong.

Attach the center shafts and try again. The center shafts act as a spacer and keep the input gear from getting "pulled into" the ring gear and binding. Not sure why one axle does it and the other doesn't, but it's a common question that comes up with hypoid gears.

[Fricker08]

Also make sure that the 4 “3rd member” screws are not overly tight, just snug.


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[Kingmeow]

Originally Posted by OSRC

Probably nothing wrong.

Attach the center shafts and try again. The center shafts act as a spacer and keep the input gear from getting "pulled into" the ring gear and binding. Not sure why one axle does it and the other doesn't, but it's a common question that comes up with hypoid gears.

I was starting to think this right after I started the thread. I figure it was the spiral cut gears (hypoid) that were jamming up in one direction and not the other. Your post solidify my thinking. Like you said, as to why the front axle is spinning easily both ways and not the rear axle, who knows.

Right now I only have two axles built so can't attach the center shaft to the drive shaft. Instead, I took a small string and tied something lightweight to the center shaft. I used the tire wrench that came with the kit.

Even with that light weight, I had it hanging off the shaft (pointing down) like a Christmas ornament. Low and behold, smooooth as butta' when turn in either direction via the hex hub! No locking. No jamming.

Glad I tested this theory out before I went disassembling everything.

Originally Posted by Fricker08

Also make sure that the 4 “3rd member” screws are not overly tight, just snug.


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What is the "3rd member" screws? The four screws that hold the diff or pumpkin cover on to the axle? If so, I only have those snug. The four portal cover screws are also snug.

[Fricker08]

Yea the pinion case to the diff housing. Good deal, didn’t mean to state the obvious


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[Kingmeow]

Originally Posted by Fricker08

Yea the pinion case to the diff housing. Good deal, didn’t mean to state the obvious


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No, no, sometimes you need to state the obvious when you are staring at the tree and miss the forest! My wife always states the obvious to me, often many times over!