Is my Detroit broke?

VortecJeep

VortecJeep

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Joined
Aug 24, 2005
Location
Concord, NC
Ford 9" rear with 4.56 gears and Detroit in my TJ with 4.0 and 5-speed. Leave home this morning to go ride at Mtn. City, and the rear is just swaying left to right all over the road, so I came back home. The rear suspension is a triangulated 4-link. I see no breaks in any suspension or steering component. Everything feels and looks like it always has.
Could my Detroit be broke? Or maybe an axle shaft? I cracked the original center section last year, so I had a Strange Nodular center section built with the Detroit. It feels a lot like it did when I cracked the center section, but the center section looks fine, that's why I wonder if it is the locker.
Guess I'll be pulling it apart today to look, but thought I'd post up first to see if there is anything else I should look for.
 
I will say that if it is a shaft broken it would take the pleasure of removing itself while going down the road. This is not cool. The symptoms sound like it could be worn wheel bearings. Not saying for sure without driving it. Quick check would be jack th rear up off the ground put it on jack stands and see if you can move the shafts in or out of the axle. Also rotate the wheels see if you can hold one while spinning the other. If the detroit is working properly the locker should kick in and cause both wheels to pull. Hope this helps.
 
Do you feel it in the steering wheel at all? Is there any noise? With a 9" rear if you broke a shaft it probably won't come out. What kind of joints are in the rear links?
 
If the axle is broken it can come out. I have had this happen on a 9'' before. Even if it doesn't it would be walking in and out unless he is running a full float 9''.
 
GrnRanger said:
all the bracketry look and feel solid?
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Yes.
rock-lucky said:
I will say that if it is a shaft broken it would take the pleasure of removing itself while going down the road. This is not cool. The symptoms sound like it could be worn wheel bearings. Not saying for sure without driving it. Quick check would be jack th rear up off the ground put it on jack stands and see if you can move the shafts in or out of the axle. Also rotate the wheels see if you can hold one while spinning the other. If the detroit is working properly the locker should kick in and cause both wheels to pull. Hope this helps.
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All wheel bearings, front and rear, are new. Shafts do not move in or out and the backing plate bolts were tight. I rotated the wheels, but was by myself so couldn't hold one while spinning the other.
MarsFab said:
Do you feel it in the steering wheel at all? Is there any noise? With a 9" rear if you broke a shaft it probably won't come out. What kind of joints are in the rear links?
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Nothing felt in the steering wheel. When making sharp turns at low speeds (like in driveway or parking lots) I hear a very loud pop when the locker unlocks. The joints in the rear are Large Super Ride Builder Bushings, part # RE3765 (yes I have a spreadsheet for every part number!)
 
ebrake dragging?
dont know man, Im out of ideas. why did this JUST happen? or was it doing this before. could it still be death wobble?
 
Was it affected by throttle input?
Is it possible the housing or a shaft is bent?
 
Chuckman said:
ebrake dragging?
dont know man, Im out of ideas. why did this JUST happen? or was it doing this before. could it still be death wobble?
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The rear has always moved some when shifting gears or getting on the throttle real hard. But this was doing it just going down the road. In fact it was fine the day before when I drove it to Davidson and back.
jeepinmatt said:
Was it affected by throttle input?
Is it possible the housing or a shaft is bent?
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It was much worse when under load, but still moved when at a steady speed. Housing looks good. Driveshaft is straight. I have not pulled the axle shafts out yet.
 
Your question was originally is the detroit broke? I serious doubt it. If it was it would possibly pull to one side or drive like normal with no traction on one side. If a shaft was broken you'd have axle oil all over that side along with other obvious symptoms like tire not lined up. Most likely if the rear is swaying you have a suspension problem.
 
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