Rubicon Trail trip, May 2nd-3rd

Where I learned to wheel.

And why sliders are sooo important in the CON. Lol. I hate that rock!!!

 

you crazy SOB!

Lets do it!! haha

 

Dang. Dont think I am quite ready for Rubicon yet. Nice photos. Where is the carnage?

 

Finding my truck again after my pilgrimage back in right around 9pm. huge sigh of relief


If you look closely you can see the broken break hardline here

 

I would love to see how different little sluice is now the Pussified it.

 

So as my truck sits right now, It runs good in 2wd minus some vibration but im pretty sure thats due to some new dents in my driveshaft. What really bothers me is I now have some grinding/grading noise in the front end ONLY when in 4wd and ONLY when turning the wheel, not while driving straight in 4wd. rack and pinion would make noise in 2wd too I believe so thats out. Same with cv axle so that leads me to believe its my spider gears. Anyone want to chime in with there opinion?

 

damn dude, that's nuts!! kudos to you man, your gangsta!

 

Damn, that's quite a story, and that's why I'm in no hurry to try and do the 'con.

Bummer your buddy couldn't/wouldn't/didn't see it through with you.

What changed between the first attempt and the second attempt that you were finally able to field replace the CV axle?

 

Could a partially binding cv axle joint cause that symptom? Obviously they're always rotating even when in 2wd, but they're only under load in 4wd.

I assume your front "propellor shaft" (driveshaft) is protected by a skid plate and couldn't have been hit/damaged. Otherwise, check that for new dents/binding as well.

 

On the second attempt at changing it, I rented a slide hammer. I've been able to pry them out in the past but this one was particularly stubborn. I'll rip the skid off this weekend and get a good look at the front shaft. Hopefully that will shed some light

 

An update.. Drive shaft has been retubed. Vibration is gone. Front differential mounting bracket in the rear had ripped through the frame and was allowing the front driveshaft to move up and down 3-4 inches. The grinding noise was the front driveshaft grinding into the side of my transmission. Fixed this too. Still chasing an airbag light. Otherwise good as pre Con trip