Karnage!

[CHKNFKR]

The driver continued to drive about a quarter mile after the initial break before realizing there was a problem

Whats more shocking is this happened on a mostly flat gravel road. this is the result of too heavy a load and long term abuse.

 

[r1hatman]

I hope your not the mechanic! LOL

 

[CHKNFKR]

sadly i am, easy fix, new axle....

 

[r1hatman]

Easy??? that's what they said about dismantling Howitzer barrels too but I soon found out that was not so. How much does an axle weigh approximately?

 

[CHKNFKR]

I honestly have no idea. they're not nearly as heavy as you'd think though. compared to swapping 5-ton and freight liner axles these aren't too bad.

 

[TheTopher]

That is freaking awesome.

Did the bolts on the diff flange shear in half?

 

[adsm08]

pack that bad boy up and ship her home to me.

 

[CHKNFKR]

it did manage to shear seven of the third member bolts, but that was just happenstance. the housing literally ripped in two. should have a new axle in by the end of the day tomorrow, if we can get our hands on an axle.... I'll make sure to take lots of pictures

 

[CHKNFKR]

Sorry for the delay on an update. things have been crazy over here, its a good crazy though

Before you e-smack me for this, i already kicked my own ass.... i forgot my camera on the 4th when the axle came out and apart. The power divider, all brake hardware, spindes, and hubs were salvaged and installed on the new housing which came with the gears set up. the passenger side shaft was reused, the drivers side however came out in about 7 large pieces and a good sized pile of shavings.

Sorry about the lack of pics

 

[Ranger44]

Holy damn.....

What was that driver doing?

 

[CHKNFKR]

driving down a largely flat gravel road. the suspensions are severely overloaded right out of the factory with all the armor and such. once you start loading gear and bodies in there and driving down tampa day in and day out, it takes its toll. This is the very reason they advise not to lift tow these vehicles under any circumstance, though i've done it a time or two. Whats really strange though is that this was an intermediate axle, you can't blame me lift towing it for this karnage.

 

[Ranger44]

Yeah...lift towing would be a bad idea.

That's just crazy.....but it's the army for ya...... gotta use what ya got.

 

[CHKNFKR]

any time i can lift tow over flat towing, i do. a lifted vehicle tracks better, rides smoother, and isn't riding on a pintle rated for 15,000lbs. just my $.02

 

[Hopman]

So, the whole HOUSING snapped in two??? That's wicked!

If I may ask (and if it isn't classified) what type of axles are under these trucks? That way, I know not to put one in my Ranger!

Oh, a big THANK YOU for you service bro! May you come home safe from the Sandbox.

 

[CHKNFKR]

if memory serves, i believe they're Arvin Meritor R something... its not that the axles are bad, they're just the wrong axle for the application.

Thank you for your support!