Did my C- clip eliminator break my axle?

[Kona]

Hi, I have a LockRite in the D35 in my Ranger , did the c clip eliminator with a internal spring 1 year ago, it blew out the dust cap so I tried the external spring type. Was out doing light/ moderate fire road/creek bed wheeling and heard a binding sound, went to move the truck forward and the center axle u-joint blew up. So I am wondering , everything that is left intact spins and moves properly ,locker seems to engage/disengage.Did the u- joint (2 months old) grenade or did the c clip spring put on to much pressure? Want some ideas before deciding to tear diff out to check the locker?

http://s248.photobucket.com/user/R031Kona/slideshow/Locker%20Havok

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

In one of the pics I think I see a different color in the metal grain structure, indicating an older fault. It may be that the metal was fatigued?

 

[Kona]

Looks normal on the part that broke off.... kinda what I hoped/thought

 

[martin]

I think it was a combination of a locker and too much loud pedal.

 

[Kona]

Hahaha at the time it actually broke I was 800 rpm in 2nd gear 4 lo chasing cows up a dirt fire road!! There may have been previous trips that I did that though!

 

[4x4junkie]

Any chance the axle shaft was binding within the window opening on the passengerside beam?

 

[Kona]

Maybe, I am starting to think I "broke" it a while back (May) , I was pushing to try and get up a 3' high dirt ledge head on , then changed to running it up a side bank on the passenger side... really flexed it out and worked the locker. That might very well have done it.

 

[Kona]

AH-HAH more evidence, signs that the axle shaft was rubbing on the window in the passenger side beam.

 

[4x4junkie]

Good chance that was it... It doesn't take much before carnage ensues (be glad the u-joint is all that failed... I've seen the whole side of the pumpkin itself (shaft & axle bearing) blown off due to the force put on it from the shaft binding in the window).

If the shaft is out, it's real easy to stick a grinder in there and widen it up.
Also check that the shaft does not contact the ends of the radius arm bolts inside the beam (I had to cut about ½ inch off them as well).

Mine:

You can see long-ago marks on the shaft where it once had made contact.

 

[Kona]

Considering I am going on a nice 2 day off road drive on the Whipsaw trail at the end of the month I am really glad it failed here. Also I had a replacement inner axle and slip joint at hand!