Front axle shafts slipping out of diff

[YJJPWrangler]

Been a while since I've been on or even messed with my crawler...blew the dust off and ran a couple of packs through it. Front left tire is not getting power. Pulled the axle apart and I don't see any warpage on the axle shaft tabs. If I push the shaft into the diff, it will stay locked. If I reassemble everything it slides back out. I switched the shafts around but same issue on the left side. Any ideas?

Thanks guys,

Zack

 

[rofo]

I had the same problem on the rear axle of my truck.
After pulling the axle apart i found that the stock diff locker was in pretty bad shape.

If this is the case on your truck, get some new difflockers and rock on.

 

[boosted4lyf]

If its sliding OUT of the diff check your bearings, put it together see if you can pull it out by hand. Something's not right.

If your using dog bones try stick a piece of fuel tube between the bone and the cup that will help keep the shaft seating in the diff.

 

[YJJPWrangler]

I can pull the axleshafts out of the diff, by hand even if the axle is built. Still using dog bones. I haven't pulled the diff apart to check the locker, can't find the correct Allen wrench. Is it normal to be able to pull the shafts out? I bought the axles used so I don't know what is stock. I will pull the diff apart tonight and take a look at the locker. If the locker is fine, is there something wrong with the bearings/shafts?

Zack

 

[DRV KRAWLER]

Been a while since I've been on or even messed with my crawler...blew the dust off and ran a couple of packs through it. Front left tire is not getting power. Pulled the axle apart and I don't see any warpage on the axle shaft tabs. If I push the shaft into the diff, it will stay locked. If I reassemble everything it slides back out. I switched the shafts around but same issue on the left side. Any ideas?

Thanks guys,

Zack

I would say more than likely your locker is stripped.

 

[YJJPWrangler]

Well, got home from work early, found the correct Allen key and pulled the diff apart. Locker is looking somewhat stripped. I tried the rubber line bushings. It worked for all of 5 mins . Also I think the rear is going to. It has the stock axial lockers in it. Aside from the axial iron cross lockers, are there any others out there that are good? Thanks for the quick help guys.

Zack

 

[WAM]

Compared to the stock aluminum spool, all the alternatives are good. The "no slop" aftermarket designs have fans and critics. It's kind of hard to get everything perfectly concentric and keep it that way. But lots of people use them. I like RCP's billet steel spool, if you like weight there, but it's currently between production runs. So if I were buying right now, I'd check out Vanquish Products spool, VPS05990. Don't know that much about it but I like that it's floating, and I like that it's Vanquish.

But keep in mind the stock aluminum spool is dirt cheap, so you can keep them fresh for little dough.

 

[meatmonkey]

The best spools are the Felsenfest ones. I have three sets amougst my fleet. They tighten up the drivetrain alot. Use loctite on the setscrews.

The first time you set them up it's a learning curve to get them snug and centered. After that the rest are easy.

I ran with a group a while back with a couple guys who swore by the Hot Racing spools. I felt their trucks and thought they were way to sloppy. No better than stock really.