What was *that* noise?
Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:12 am
Those of you lucky enough to have been travelling with me when the absolutely shocking event of busting an axle shaft on my D30 took place (can you smell the sarcasm 
), know what that sound is. Taking the issue at face value, always the best plan, (there is more of that sarcasm…) I simply replaced the axle shafts and hit the trails again…
Not long into the trail, once 4wd was engaged, I was greeted with a few clicks and pops. Visual inspection yielded nothing, so I wisely pressed on (there it is again…). Further yet down the trail, after several more clicks and pops and even a few twitchy steering situations, another visual inspection still showed no signs of issue. Again, I wisely continued down the trail (and once more…). Until I got stuck:
Once free, the clicking , popping, ratcheting, banging, and jerking were worse than ever and I finally decided it just might be better to throw it back in 2wd and ease on home for some real inspection…
Popped the cover, and immidately saw the issue(s).
Chewed spider gears:
And a cracked carrier:
Here is how a pharmer pulls a carrier:
And on the bench, here is the total of the damage:
For the record, I am quite certain this damage was started when the first shaft broke, and by simply replacing the shafts and driving on it, I made a bad situation worse…
), know what that sound is. Taking the issue at face value, always the best plan, (there is more of that sarcasm…) I simply replaced the axle shafts and hit the trails again…
Not long into the trail, once 4wd was engaged, I was greeted with a few clicks and pops. Visual inspection yielded nothing, so I wisely pressed on (there it is again…). Further yet down the trail, after several more clicks and pops and even a few twitchy steering situations, another visual inspection still showed no signs of issue. Again, I wisely continued down the trail (and once more…). Until I got stuck:
Once free, the clicking , popping, ratcheting, banging, and jerking were worse than ever and I finally decided it just might be better to throw it back in 2wd and ease on home for some real inspection…
Popped the cover, and immidately saw the issue(s).
Chewed spider gears:
And a cracked carrier:
Here is how a pharmer pulls a carrier:
And on the bench, here is the total of the damage:
For the record, I am quite certain this damage was started when the first shaft broke, and by simply replacing the shafts and driving on it, I made a bad situation worse…
