So I was up all hours last night getting the Bronco trail ready. New ARB's front and rear, 5.13's and 38.5" SX's. You guys were right, don't need an OD tranny. 60-70 was comfortable.

So we drive for hours trying to find a good spot. We stop to gather our thoughts in a parking lot with some snow banks. My buddy in a non-lifted FJ-55 w/ 33's goes to tackle one and get's high centered. Now this is the guy that was telling me he was going to out wheel me all last week. So I do a couple of victory laps around him and go over much bigger stuff w/ ease. Then I get in front of him and hook up the tow strap.

Now I wanted to make it look easy (I was in a few inches of slushy snow) so I locked the front and the rear and put it in low. I tighen it up and give a nice gentle pull. I feel the tention and then hear the pop. U-Joint gave out in the 44 up front. Bummer. I didn't know how to get it off so we disconnect the front drive shaft and unlock the hubs. I'm done for the day.

So this is my question. I wasn't suprised that it broke, but I was suprised it happened so easily. I did have great traction (I think I was heavy enough to sink through the slush to the cement). I got the new Spicer 760x's (supposed to be stronger than the 297). How much stronger are they (the one that broke is probably original)? Am I going to brake a u-joint/axle every time I go out? A 60 is sounding better and better (just don't want to spend the money).

Also, is there a write-up somewhere on how to change those u-joints/axles out? How hard/easy is it? Is this a quick trail fix? I've never torn a front end down.

Thanks in advance.

-Jack

You said the U-Joint that broke was original, not the 760x's, right? My guess is that the u-joint had been stressed in the past and may have already had a small stress-crack. I had a similar experience with a rear driveshaft u-joint on thte Sierra Trek a couple of years ago. Rolled up to a small ledge, popped the front over with easy, rear wheels bumped the ledge, no gas, and I heard a loud bang. When I got the old joint out you could see some discoloring where it had been cracked before. Stuff happens :D Good luck with your repair!

Yeah, they were the original ones. Somebody told me that the 760's wouldn't fit on my 44. Any idea why?

Sounds like that u-joint already experienced some trauma.

If you have an EB, they have a smaller u-joint than full size. So I don't think the 760's will fit. Luckily, you can get some full size axles and have the long side cut down. Then you get the larger u-joint.

chiltons manual should show how to dissasemble and reassemble the front end. You should make sure you carry the proper allen wrench for the front hubs and then also the spindle nut socket for your front end that will make the job much easier.
Good luck dont feel to bad I broke a front locking hub on my 60 this summer.

Originally posted by Sweet75
Yeah, they were the original ones.

No surprise that you broke 26 year old u-joints. Just put new ones in and see what happens. If they hold up you are all set. I wouldn't upgrade unless they break again.