Broken Axle

springhill · Post by **springhill** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:17 pm

While feeding today, I think I broke one of my rear axles

. I was climbing out of the canyon in 4-lo and the rear locked up. I had to climb a small ledge and probably used a little too much right foot. I heard a loud pop from the rear. If I switch out of 4WD, the pinz will not move.

I had to limp it home ( about 3 miles ), but there were no funky noises and no leaks.

Before I pull the axle housings, are there any suggestions or advice?

Thanks

john

Jim LaGuardia · Post by **Jim LaGuardia** » Mon May 12, 2008 8:37 pm

Put the rear end in the air with the park brake on and the axle locked. Try to turn a wheel by hand, the one that moves is the broken one

pinztx · Post by **pinztx** » Mon May 12, 2008 9:19 pm

John if you need a replacement pinz I found one in San Antonio today. It was clean as a wistle. 710m

Do you think you and Cathrine will get south anytime soon?

Try not to be so hard on the equipment.

Again thanks for everything.

springhill · Post by **springhill** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:42 am

Thanks Jim----This should be a simple repair---Right????

I'm hoping that the only "special tool" is a magnet!

Shawn,
I should have let you drive this one so I could blame this on you. Then you would have an excuse to come back up and do a little repair for me!
We hope to make it down that way sometime this summer. I could use some heat and humidity!

Thanks

john

pinztx · Post by **pinztx** » Tue May 13, 2008 8:01 am

John you do not want me working on it. It usually cost what it cost to fix it plus what I do to it. I am lucky I have a guy who works very reasonable. Let me know when your coming south so I can be around. I am heading to Dallas for a couple of days now.

russ · Post by **russ** » Tue May 13, 2008 3:21 pm

I broke the pass rear axle and it is a simple repair. A magnet may be required to pull out the broken axle end in the diff. I used some wedges to release pressure on the axle tube so it would come off (and go back on). I think the axle cost me around $250 but that was a while ago.

Mine broke while going up a hill, knocked a large rock lose and it bound up the wheel breaking the axle. I didn't realize it was broke for over 20 minutes. That same day two Jeeps broke their axles and they were drug out on a sled since their wheels fell off. That made my break more bearable.

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:01 pm

I have a great bit of video footage (VHS....unfortunately the camera was faulty so it's not perfect quality) of a 712 climbing over a steep rockface.... it's not mine fortunately

When the centre wheels take the full load wheels, you hear a loud bang, and if your quick you can see the right middle wheel stop turning.
At that stage you see the vehicle slew to the right as the both left rear wheels push the left side of the vehicle forward, and with that it rolls over.

For years I've been contemplating getting that piece of video "extracted" from the rest and putting it up on my webpage......perhaps its a pertinant time to do so.
I'II have to find the footage and talk to my video editor mate!

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:38 pm

Wow Peter that would be something to see. There is only a couple of vids out there of Pinzies going over. Would like to see the vid if you get it converted let us know.

STPPINZ · Post by **STPPINZ** » Wed May 14, 2008 11:46 am

I have first hand experience that when one of the middle axles are broke, a 712 is worthless offroad. Might as will be driving a Yugo out there. I could not believe how important that middle set of drive wheels are when I had an axle break last year.

And as luck has it, I broke another one this year!! On the same trail, Pritchet Canyon in Moab. This one was the rear though. I’m starting to think that trail has it in for me. So if anyone knows of anyone who has some axles hanging around, let me know. I am on the prowl.

I took a broken axle to Summit Machine and am looking into having them make a heat treated chrome ally one but not sure if that will make problems else where like in the gearing...any thoughts.

todds112 · Post by **todds112** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:46 pm

STPPINZ wrote:I have first hand experience that when one of the middle axles are broke, a 712 is worthless offroad. Might as will be driving a Yugo out there. I could not believe how important that middle set of drive wheels are when I had an axle break last year.

And as luck has it, I broke another one this year!! On the same trail, Pritchet Canyon in Moab. This one was the rear though. I’m starting to think that trail has it in for me. So if anyone knows of anyone who has some axles hanging around, let me know. I am on the prowl.

I took a broken axle to Summit Machine and am looking into having them make a heat treated chrome ally one but not sure if that will make problems else where like in the gearing...any thoughts.

Wonder what that would move the "fusable link" to? Would replacing the axle be preferable (time and $$) to breaking something else? Warn actually makes hub gears designed to blow before something more pricey and difficult to replace.

milesdzyn · Post by **milesdzyn** » Wed May 14, 2008 9:06 pm

STPPINZ....I would be concerned about destroying the Diff's. The hardest part of engineering is making parts that are supposed to break, that do their job well just up to the point of failure. When we put bigger tires on our rigs the amount or tourqe applied to the axle piece is increased, so it may be failing sooner than they should be.

I've been trying to think of a feild repair for the shaft, but the only thing that comes to mind requires welding, grinding and a heavy gauge steel tube. It would be easier to just carry a spare.

For those of you that are breaking axle's, is it due to excessive rust in any way?

For pics on home made axle removal tool I made a while ago.Click Here

Miles

STPPINZ · Post by **STPPINZ** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:01 pm

milesdzyn wrote:STPPINZ....I would be concerned about destroying the Diff's. The hardest part of engineering is making parts that are supposed to break, that do their job well just up to the point of failure.
Miles

I agree with you that it is easier to replace an axle vs the diff. It was just a thought with the only option that I have found so far is a $460 for a new shaft from SAV. ouch.

I don't think rust had anything to do with my break. I don't have it with me to take a picture, but it was clean when I pulled it, like new. And the break wasn't like anything I have ever seen. It was so straight it looks like someone cut it with a lazer. It will be interesting on how this second break looks like.

russ · Post by **russ** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:17 am

STPPINZ wrote:
I agree with you that it is easier to replace an axle vs the diff. It was just a thought with the only option that I have found so far is a $460 for a new shaft from SAV. ouch.

I hope that's the price for a front axle, I would hate to see the price increase that much for a rear one.

STPPINZ · Post by **STPPINZ** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:23 am

[/quote]

I hope that's the price for a front axle, I would hate to see the price increase that much for a rear one.[/quote]

Nope - That is a rear axle shaft!! I didn't look into the front CV.

Profpinz · Post by **Profpinz** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:04 pm

I have a great bit of video footage (VHS....unfortunately the camera was faulty so it's not perfect quality) of a 712 climbing over a steep rockface.... it's not mine fortunately

Here is that video clip!
Listen carefully to hear the axle snap, then you will see the centre-right wheel stop turning and the vehicle slew to the right.... After that it's on for young and old!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0KGtzb85g4