Broken Dana 30/35s at TurkeyBay -Eyewitnesses-

[Dave Taylor]

I still believe the 'weak axle' label that is bandied about in Jeep forums about people breaking stock Dana 35/30 axles is more hype and myth than experience.

Not to say that they are weak axles compared to other available axles....but just looking at them on their own accord; and in relation to TurkeyBay...

There are dozens of folks on here who wheel almost every week or every other week at TurkeyBay (Tom wheels every day except Tuesdays...right?)

I have been to Turkey Bay many, many times; and have never been an 'eyewitness' to a broken Dana 30/35 axleshaft.

Over the last 10 years; how many broken 30/35 shafts have any of you been an eyewitness to at TB?

I'd like to help some of the newbies get a better idea of the myth or reality of this often overhyped (IMO) myth....since most of the TB crew on here run stock axles anyway.

Thanks.

[Neal]

I never really thought about that but I've never seen or knew anyone with one broke.

[BillM]

The number one cause (that I know of) for broken axle shafts in ANY diff is when you get in a spot where you are losing traction and you give it the gas and the tire comes up of the ground or the vehicle starts hopping and you step on it, spin the tire up, and BAMMMM!!!! the tire comes down and gets traction. Now you have a broken shaft. I have seen it happen one time and it was on a front axle, D44HP fullwidth. He did just what I said, tire was in the air, he was giving it the gas, and the tire came back down on a rock and he broke an outer shaft.

[Dave Taylor]

Thanks guys....Appreciate your thoughts...but I was really trying to get fairly narrow concensus here....

<ul type="square"> Just Eyewitness examples of breakage from
Dana 30/35 axles (specifically because of the small axle size)
At Turkey Bay OHV (specifically because of that location and type of terrain)[/list]

[scrambled]

I have seen one broken dana 30 shaft at Turkey Bay. It was mine. That's what happens when you are turned full lock and on the gas with locker. Smarter driving could have avoided that. The terrain at Turkey Bay is actually really good for axles. All loose soil and no rocks with really increase the lives of them. If tire size is kept 33 or under I think you could wheel with no problem at all at Turkey Bay.

[Tomster]

Put me down for one Dana 35 breakage. A guy in our group was running Buttpucker Gulch, and his right rear tire dropped down into the very bottom of the ravine and was wedged into a hole.

The dude did not get crazy on the gas, but the tire was in a bind, he had 35" tires, and he was running a full locker. He more or less knew that he would break eventually and carried spare axle shafts. Heck, bet a 44 could be broken under those conditions.

I also was witness to Fred breaking his Dana 30 on the front of his old XJ. He was playing at the Rubicon tree, and his tires were spinning with his front end up in the air. When the front end dropped back down, that was all she wrote for his ring and pinion gears.

Am I glad that I have a Dana 44 in back? YOU BETCHA! Is the Dana 35 as weak as a lot of people think? Probably not.

Tomster

[pirate_over50]

My input....In all my wheeling years, and most of the time with a 35c, I've seen 2 and neither one was at TB. One at Farmington NM, and the other at Tellico. Smart driving and knowing when to get the winch out will save you some trouble. Tom, be careful, you can still break the 44. If not break, the weak point of those is spinning the tube. I think it does get a bad rap. I guess we will just to have to wait and see, cause the way some of you drive it's gonna happen. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif Probably me first!

[mrfarmdog]

I just read an interesting thread on Pirate 4X4 about the same subject and I there were only two incidences where there was breakage. That said however I do believe it to be a weak link and personally I think they deserve to be treated gingerly on the trail. I have seen people run 35s on them but any larger than that most people upgrade the axles. That is probably why you do not see more breakage. I now have 33s and will continue to wheel my d35 for a while but plan to put a super 35 kit in it. Other than that I will be respectful on the gas but will still try all the trails I can. If breakage happens then I guess it will be time to upgrade. Not going to worry about it too much though until it happens (since I have not heard of anyone with a similar setup that has had d35 breakage).

[mikea]

I've never seen one at TB but have seen a couple at KY Outback Park. In my opinnion it's not just that the axle is weak, but the fact that when it does break there is nothing to hold the wheel on. With a Dana 44 if you snap an axle you can limp off the trail and possibly back home. With a 35c you better have a trailer or parts. Many people at TB dont trailer and dont cary enough parts to repair a broken axle shaft. If your not prepaired Murphy will come knockin.

I'm runnin D44's at both ends and don't trailer. When I'm wheelin I have an extra front hub with an outer shaft minus the ears in case a snap a front axle. Everything needed to repair a broken brake line. extra rear drive shaft. And many other odds and ends in case of breakage.

So far I have had to repair brake lines twice and both front axle shafts.

[Dave Taylor]

<ul type="square">Well, So far we have 3 breakages at Turkey Bay:

1 Dana 35 witnessed by Tom(who is at TB more than the rangers, squirrels and deer) in Buttpucker Gultch
2 Dana 30s belonging to Fred and Rod[/list]

Any other eyewitness examples at Turkey Bay???

[IndyXJ]

NON TB BREAK-
1 D35 at the Badlands on a mild stair step.(BOOM!)
1 at Tellico on a severe area. Same one Brewah is talking about. Didn't witness personally, just the aftermath.
As for the almost as strong as a D44, haven't seen one 8.25 let go yet, however it is a C-clip.

[scrambled]

You know I thought that there would be alot more people with stories about stuff breakin. Talkin about 30s and 35'S breakin I have seen just as many of those break as I have seen 60's and Rockwells break. Everthing breaks I guess /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

[Neal]

same here

[Fred]

[ QUOTE ]

I also was witness to Fred breaking his Dana 30 on the front of his old XJ. He was playing at the Rubicon tree, and his tires were spinning with his front end up in the air. When the front end dropped back down, that was all she wrote for his ring and pinion gears.


[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto on MY 30 at rubicon tree...here are some pix...http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15348/thumbs/4848Picture_144-med.jpghttp://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15348/thumbs/4848Picture_143-med.jpghttp://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15348/thumbs/4848Picture_142-med.jpg

[BillM]

If you were doing this with a Dana 60 you can break something too. Agreed it will take a little more force to snap and axle or the ring/pinion. But you can make it with a lil more caution /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[AppYJ]

Not at Turkey Bay, but I have seen several Dana 30 front axles and a couple of the upgraded Warn hubs on a Dana 30 snap on Tellico. I saw one guy break both Warn lock out hubs in one day.

[gmbtj]

At Paddys Bluff(just a little north of TB), I saw a guy snap his front Dana 30 going up a mild hill.

O, I forgot to mention, he was rolling on 37 inch MT/R's.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I also ran into him and his fellas again at TB and he bent his tie-rod cause he was being a Dumb***** in Blackhole gulley.

[mullins87]

I saw a guy break a D30 in Buttpucker Gulch. His right front wheel slipped down into the middle of the gully. We told him to back off and let us winch him out, but he didn't want to do that. Well it cost him. I don't know what all broke, but parts did go flying!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eusa_doh.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
At Paddys Bluff(just a little north of TB), I saw a guy snap his front Dana 30 going up a mild hill.

O, I forgot to mention, he was rolling on 37 inch MT/R's.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I also ran into him and his fellas again at TB and he bent his tie-rod cause he was being a Dumb***** in Blackhole gulley.

[/ QUOTE ]

Patrick, Common sense isn't as Common as one might think /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[bigblacktj]

I took a buddy of mine up to turkey he has a WJ with street tires and we broke both front axles shafts in about a hour at turkey.

[Tomster]

Just goes to show ya...

Brewah reported three snapped axle shafts during the Jambo at Turkey Bay. Most of the people I wheel with and have wheeled with run Dana 35's, and I have only seen the one break, where the guy was locked and running 35" tires. The Jambo's attract many folks with very little experience off roading and some with no experience at all. I think the breakage this weekend just shows that driver error is responsible for a LOT of the Dana 35's biting the dust.

Tomster

[Don]

Wow! Three axles bit the dust in one weekend..... Where were they? All 3 in same area of TB? Where did they go that we don't go on a regular basis?

[Fred]

They did the same stuff we usually run, I agree with Tom I think it was inexperianced and improper driving skills.

[BillM]

Amen brothers.

[alwaysoutdoors]

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40241

[mullins87]

Well, I saw my first broken D35 today. Roddawg snapped his at Sit up and Beg. He got off in the deep gully to the right. His left rear tire was really wedged in there. I guess it was just too much for it to handle. I've got pics in the photo gallery, that is if I can upload them.

[RodDawg]

Yeh, I think my tire was in a hole that was left my someone else that got stuck there. It must have really been in a bind. I didn't hear it stap or anything. It just stopped turning. I think Micah (or somebody) said something about it not turning (knowing that the rear was locked), and sure enough it wasn't. We limped back to the truck and hauled it home. Funny thing is that Saturday was the first time I had ever towed to Turkey Bay. It's a good thing I did. That way I didn't have to take Jim up on his offer to drive me back to Mayfield. THANKS TO ALL of you guys for the help with the "LOG BANDAID". It worked. Rubbed the crap out of my tire, but it worked.

The axle is now fixed and ready for another trip. I can't really decide what I'm going to do as an upgrade yet, but I'll have something before the trip to Tellico I hope.

Rod

[mawardjr]

I can't really decide what I'm going to do as an upgrade yet, but I'll have something before the trip to Tellico I hope.

Rod


8.8 ............

[Landon]

LOL...nice one Mike...

[gmbtj]

Dana 60. or if you realy want to, why not a 2.5 ton rockwell or some unimog portal axles. :D

[Dave Taylor]

I ran locked 33s on a D35 for a long time with no problems; but I still decided this Spring to upgrade to a Ford 8.8 axle assembly.

Ford 8.8s fall between a Dana 44 and a Dana 60 in strength, and I have read tons of articles and write-ups on axles; and never heard anyone running 'street legal Jeeps' or Jeeps with less than 38s ever breaking one.

Plus, you get rear disc-brakes to go with the swap; sweetness.

If you or anyone else would like to talk with the guy who built mine; it is through http://www.alljeep.com

Talk to Wayne Hartwig; he has a TJ bracket kit; and he does the location, clean-off, and re-weld himself; excellent work. All you have to do when you get it; is hook it up, pour in the oil; and your ready to go. Not a difficult install; I did it over two days mostly by myself with air-tools.

[IndyXJ]

Did you track down the axle yourself or did he have that on hand? What ratio did you go with? I want 4.88 when my XJ is said and done. Which would mean a new rear axle since the 8.25 limit is 4.56

+edit+read they are in UT, so you had an 8.8 shipped out I guess?? I've talked to OK4wd in the past about an 8.8 too. But alas, things come up.

[RodDawg]

8.8 ............

Got one lying around??? ANYBODY???

[BillM]

You should be able to pick one up with 4.10's, disc brakes for about $200 from the junk yard.

[Danny]

that hole was more than likely left by mike a or the sammi a few weeks ago. they were working at it for a long time. the sammi made it through, but he took the aproach to the left... pictures are in my gallery

[IndyXJ]

How hard is it to fix a broken D35 axle break on the trail? I won't bother asking on a 8.25 since noone here has one to my knowledge.
I assume you need to remove the cover and get a magnet for any pieces left over and get both major pieces of broken axle out. Is it as easy as sliding the new one in and putting the C-clip in? I would like to know since I/we run with so many of them. And I need to learn how to do my own 8.25.

Thanks!

[gmbtj]

I think we should name that gulley next to Sit Up and Beg that RodDawg got stuck in. I was thinking that maybe its name should be Dog Bowl, since rod dawg snapped an axle and it is shaped like a bowl.

[Landon]

How hard is it to fix a broken D35 axle break on the trail? I won't bother asking on a 8.25 since noone here has one to my knowledge.
I assume you need to remove the cover and get a magnet for any pieces left over and get both major pieces of broken axle out. Is it as easy as sliding the new one in and putting the C-clip in? I would like to know since I/we run with so many of them. And I need to learn how to do my own 8.25.

Thanks!

Hard to say, since we didn't actually swap out his axle affter breaking it. What we did was apply some off-roading engineering to get him back to his trailer, and that's all, since he didn't have his spare shaft with him.

[mawardjr]

Fixing the D35 would depend on what broke .... If it was the shaft

Pull cover while catching fluid in zip lock baggy
pull drive pin
Drop out spider gears or locker
pull c-clip if it hasn't dropped out already
pull broke shaft out
clean up misc broken pieces
re-assemble
place zip lock bag in diff
put cover back on

Wheel some more .... at least in theory.

[RodDawg]

Fixing the D35 would depend on what broke .... If it was the shaft

Pull cover while catching fluid in zip lock baggy
pull drive pin
Drop out spider gears or locker
pull c-clip if it hasn't dropped out already
pull broke shaft out
clean up misc broken pieces
re-assemble
place zip lock bag in diff
put cover back on

Wheel some more .... at least in theory.


Pretty much it. But it does take just a liiiitttttle longer to do than it does to say it.

It was really difficult getting my locker apart because the broken axle piece had it pushed to the passenger side. This didn't give me enough room to take the locker apart, so we had to remove the whole carrier. Then we knock the broken piece loose, pushed it back and took the locker apart. Another time consuming part was the cleanup. There were many, many little pieces in there. I suspect that most could have been avoided had we not driven the mile or two back to the trailer, grinding away at the broken shaft.

Believe me, this would SUCK to be a "trail repair".

[Teddy]

Believe me, this would SUCK to be a "trail repair".

Yes it does and Mike's theory is now fact. He was the MAN :cool: Saturday getting my rig back together.

I'm still driving on it today. Nothing is making any strange noises.... yet :D

[Landon]

Well, I have now been witness to TWO dana35 breakages: Roddawg's and Teddy's, both at Turkey Bay, and both at places we drive on, over and through all the time...(Rocky Top and Sit Up & Beg). Let the public make the own mind up on this one, but from the two I've seen, driving style DEFINATELY had a lot to do with the breakage.

[Teddy]

Let the public make the own mind up on this one, but from the two I've seen, driving style DEFINATELY had a lot to do with the breakage.

I'm not sure how to take that :p

Not all of us can afford Rubicons with 4.1 T cases. Some of us are just stuck with our weak ghetto rigs. :cool:

[Landon]

I'm not sure how to take that :p

Not all of us can afford Rubicons with 4.1 T cases. Some of us are just stuck with our weak ghetto rigs. :cool:

Ok Teddy, let me elaborate...when this post was started, the point of it was how many believed the 'myth' of the weak Dana35, and if so, how many had they witnessed in terrain like at Turkey Bay. As for myself, back when this thread was started, I for one did NOT believe the myth, because I had never seen one break, even after several wheeling trips with Micah :) Now wth that said, I have always thought that a Dana35, or any axle for that matter, could eventually break, if enough stress was put on it. In that situation, of course driving style will come into play. After seeing Rod and you both break an axle now, I can say that in both instances, it was the driver effect that caused them to break, as much as the Dana35 being a 'weak' axle. Of course, hind sight is 20/20, and I don't think you made a poor decision in tackling an obstacle that I've seen you climb all over before without any trouble. What I do think is that your situation serves to highlight a good learning point, and that is overconfidence. I think we are all guilty of that on the trail from time to time, myself included. Sometimes we get away with it, and sometimes we get bit (my drivers side mirror for example). In the end, I think we always need to be aware of our rigs' capabilities, and then also be aware of how the trails change from one trip to the next. And most definately, don't get overconfident. And, Teddy, it could have happened to me just as easily as it did you :)

P.S. As for ghetto rigs, I offer you this. I still envy your rig for the lift, tires, winch, bumpers..get the idea?

[Teddy]

Allright, I forgive ya! :D

[gmbtj]

And, Teddy, it could have happened to me just as easily as it did you :)

Umm, i really dont think so. You are saying a weak and lower spline count (Dana 35 locked) is equal to a non c-clip Dana 44 with stronger axle shafts and higher spline count?

I am not seeing the equality. Not near as easy to break ur's as it is his :D :D :D

[Landon]

Umm, i really dont think so. You are saying a weak and lower spline count (Dana 35 locked) is equal to a non c-clip Dana 44 with stronger axle shafts and higher spline count?

I am not seeing the equality. Not near as easy to break ur's as it is his :D :D :D

Patrick, not what I am saying. I AM saying that I could have easily been over confident somewhere and had the same type of thing happen to me. At Telico, TB...etc...

[admar2]

I'm not sure how to take that :p

Not all of us can afford Rubicons with 4.1 T cases. Some of us are just stuck with our weak ghetto rigs. :cool:


hey, I LOVE my ghetto frankenjeep!









although I WOULD trade it in a heartbeat for a Rubi.

:D

[Paul E]

Would that driving style done on a 2.5L engine have had the potential to break? I'm not sure enough power gets to the axle from that engine to break it.

I just know that I don't want to find out either. :)

Teddy, glad it got fixed, that's for sure. Mike is DEFINITELY the man on that.

Hey, Mike, if I add any kind of locker to my Jeep, it would ONLY be on the front. Wanna help install it? :) hehehe

[Teddy]

Sure Paul, we'll help you get that thing installed, but we have to do it at Mike's house :).

As for the overconfident remark, I was only considering the fun factor. Mike had never crawled that rock, because of lift restrictions, so I thought I'd show him what it was like. Unfortunately, it was really dug out compared to last time I went up it 3 times in a row with out problems. I'm also fighting a fuel injection issue that requires me to hold RPM's a little higher than I'd like and my crawl ratio is higher and really not sufficient for crawling rocks. If I can't wheel like that, I really don't care to go. It's no different than the way Dave, Micah or Fred wheel. They are some of the best drivers I've seen because they push themselves and their rigs. I guess we all go for different reasons.

I have no regrets, other than I'm sorry it took time out of everyone's day. I made it up the obstacle, we fixed it and wheeled the rest of the day. I think that's impressive on all levels. :cool:

I still love you Landon :D

[mawardjr]

Hey, Mike, if I add any kind of locker to my Jeep, it would ONLY be on the front. Wanna help install it? :) hehehe

If it is a lunchbox locker (like the No-Slip or LockRight) - bring it on up.
If it is like that ARB where it replaces the carrier ... you might want to find someone else b/c I don't have all of the tools (or knowledge) on setting up the backspacing. At least not yet .... :)

[Paul E]

My thought process at this point would be for an automatic like the Detroit or Aussie. ARB's and that design introduce more complexity and more points of failure.

Any opinions on what type would be best?

[Don]

After seeing Teddy snap his axle, I can't help but think how easy any of us with the D35's could do the samething. My driving style includes lots of wheel spin when needed (like when I climbed Dog Leg)..... not good, not smart, but it happens :D In my situation my front wheels were doing the spinning, so it would have been an axle on the D30, not D35 that would have blown. A lunchbox locker would really help with this situation. However, I am not sure that it would be a wise purchase to install one now, only to hopefully upgrade both of my axles in 6 months to a year. Can you move a lunchbox locker from one D30 to another, even if one is stock and the other has been geared and includes super axles? Would it be cheaper/better to just purchase a new lunchbox locker and sell the old D30 as a unit......... assuming that anyone would want a D30 with 3:07 gears. :o

[Don]

Would that driving style done on a 2.5L engine have had the potential to break? I'm not sure enough power gets to the axle from that engine to break it.

I just know that I don't want to find out either. :)

Teddy, glad it got fixed, that's for sure. Mike is DEFINITELY the man on that.

Hey, Mike, if I add any kind of locker to my Jeep, it would ONLY be on the front. Wanna help install it? :) hehehe

Paul, I was reading your post here, and in the other forum. Dave Taylor has the 2.5L and he is locked F&R...... he might also have the Belly Up Skid.... I have wheeled with Dave, his Jeep seems to go wherever he points it. Maybe he can share his experience with ya.

[Teddy]

If it is a lunchbox locker (like the No-Slip or LockRight) - bring it on up.
If it is like that ARB where it replaces the carrier ... you might want to find someone else b/c I don't have all of the tools (or knowledge) on setting up the backspacing. At least not yet .... :)

You will... very soon :D

[mawardjr]

Paul -
On the lunchbox side of the locker spectrum .... I'd recommend spending the extra cash on the No-Slip. Smoother locker that is virtually invisible while in 2wd and on pavement. The Aussie and LockRight will chatter (some hear it others don't) while on pavement. I hear mine all the time and find it annoying.

Don -
If the spline count does not change, then the locker can be moved from one Dana 30 to another. If your close to starting a build up on a beefier Dana 30, I'd wait for that build up to pick out the locker.

One thing that the locker allows you to do is go over stuff with less throttle. You don't have to overcome the wheel spin in order to maintain forward motion. With less throttle there is less chance of breakage.

Teddy's breakage was most likely due to several factors.
1) Driver side rear was holding most of the weight
2) A tad bit too much throttle
3) 33 inch tires air'd down fairly low (which increases traction)
4) Terrain. When the tire decides to hook up ... the rock isn't going to budge.

[Don]

If it is a lunchbox locker (like the No-Slip or LockRight) - bring it on up.
If it is like that ARB where it replaces the carrier ... you might want to find someone else b/c I don't have all of the tools (or knowledge) on setting up the backspacing. At least not yet .... :)

Mike, if you purchase the tools, and get the "know how", I suspect that you could stay very busy changing gears and adding lockers to the itsajeep gang's vehicles.

[Teddy]

Paul -
On the lunchbox side of the locker spectrum .... I'd recommend spending the extra cash on the No-Slip. Smoother locker that is virtually invisible while in 2wd and on pavement. The Aussie and LockRight will chatter (some hear it others don't) while on pavement. I hear mine all the time and find it annoying.


I'm going to disagree with the wrench meister on this one. Auto lockers in short wheel base vehicles are noticable. I can't hear the "no slip", but it never lets me forget it's there. :D

My Aussie chatters up front, but it a comforting sound :D

[mawardjr]

I'm going to disagree with the wrench meister on this one. Auto lockers in short wheel base vehicles are noticable. I can't hear the "no slip", but it never lets me forget it's there. :D

My Aussie chatters up front, but it a comforting sound :D

That's because the rear is locked up most of the time. I was talking about having one in the front, which on pavement will not have any power applied to it so you shouldn't notice it.

[Fred]

OK I have to agree that Mike if you set your own little shop up with the tools to do Axles you woud make some extra Jeep $$. And I think I picked up a complement a while back......thanks!

[Fred]

It's no different than the way Dave, Micah or Fred wheel. They are some of the best drivers I've seen because they push themselves and their rigs. I still love you Landon :D

See a compliment, I knew it!!!!!! You too Dave and Micah

[kevin]

well add me to the i hate dana 35 club. Mine dead last weekend. due to the spider gears failing.

kevin

[Fred]

I love digging up OLD threads.....TB claimed yet another D35

http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/4/0/1/100_1025.JPG
http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/4/0/1/100_1024.JPG

[jlwells]

Never imagined it would snap so easy. No bouncing or heavy throttle just good ole torque. Oh yeah and first trip with a rear locker.

[kennyfrncs]

I broke 1-D35 pinuon at TB. 1 u-jount,inter and outer shalf at Badlinds.

[Don]

Never imagined it would snap so easy. No bouncing or heavy throttle just good ole torque. Oh yeah and first trip with a rear locker.

Yep the math sounds right.

D35 + locker = big problems :)

[Bluegill]

Wasn't at TB (Bumpus Cove in Erwin), but I watched a stock OPEN D35 shatter a spider gear (while bouncing) trying to climb a couple of rock ledges. Probably didn't help that the driver was full of liquid courage though :rolleyes: It was a 98 TJ 4.0 5spd, 3" BL & 33x12.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers.

[Bama]

I've never seen one at TB but have seen a couple at KY Outback Park. In my opinnion it's not just that the axle is weak, but the fact that when it does break there is nothing to hold the wheel on. With a Dana 44 if you snap an axle you can limp off the trail and possibly back home. With a 35c you better have a trailer or parts. Many people at TB dont trailer and dont cary enough parts to repair a broken axle shaft. If your not prepaired Murphy will come knockin.

I'm runnin D44's at both ends and don't trailer. When I'm wheelin I have an extra front hub with an outer shaft minus the ears in case a snap a front axle. Everything needed to repair a broken brake line. extra rear drive shaft. And many other odds and ends in case of breakage.

So far I have had to repair brake lines twice and both front axle shafts.

Didn't you break D35 axle on your jeep at TB? We had to use James eyehook, your trailer hitch, old log and a Sammi to get you outta there. James trailered you back to Clarksville.

Bama

[Fred]

Didn't you break D35 axle on your jeep at TB? We had to use James eyehook, your trailer hitch, old log and a Sammi to get you outta there. James trailered you back to Clarksville.

Bama
I think that was Micah......

[Bama]

I think that was Micah......


Your right, my bad. But I did see a D35 broken.

[Don]

--snip-- it was a 98 TJ 4.0 5spd, 3" BL & 33x12.50 Dunlop Mud Rovers.

3 INCH BODY LIFT!! They shouldn't allow crap like that on the trails :eek:

[mrjeep]

I have personally broken two Dana 35C axles at Turkeyland and more 30s than I care to remember. Not only just broke 30s but I have broken every part of a 30 there is to break axle shaft, U-joint, carrier, cross pin, ring and pinion, bent tube, broken shock mounts and shattered lockout hubs in splinters.. Stop by my shop sometime and look at my wall of shame (broken parts) hanging on the back wall. Most are 30 parts with a few driveshafts and D35 stuff.

[Fred]

I have personally broken two Dana 35C axles at Turkeyland and more 30s than I care to remember. Not only just broke 30s but I have broken every part of a 30 there is to break axle shaft, U-joint, carrier, cross pin, ring and pinion, bent tube, broken shock mounts and shattered lockout hubs in splinters.. Stop by my shop sometime and look at my wall of shame (broken parts) hanging on the back wall. Most are 30 parts with a few driveshafts and D35 stuff.
Welcome to the site. D30's for the most part are resilliant axles although the ONLY axle failure I have had was on my 30. I grenanded a R&P and and buted about 4 U-Joints. D35's on the other hand tend to be castrophic when they break


Head to the intro section and tell us about yourself and your shop!

[Danny]

I have personally broken two Dana 35C axles at Turkeyland and more 30s than I care to remember. Not only just broke 30s but I have broken every part of a 30 there is to break axle shaft, U-joint, carrier, cross pin, ring and pinion, bent tube, broken shock mounts and shattered lockout hubs in splinters.. Stop by my shop sometime and look at my wall of shame (broken parts) hanging on the back wall. Most are 30 parts with a few driveshafts and D35 stuff.

i still think the majority of these breakages are due to driving style. just look at the wheeling videos you can purchase. people just stand on the gas and go. wheels are in the air and spining at 50 mph and then smack down on the ground, no wonder the weaker axles break. being easy on the throttle, taking your time to pick a good line and having an experienced spotter will increase the longevety of your jeep parts 10 fold. but...... just my opinion

[belltom]

i still think the majority of these breakages are due to driving style. just look at the wheeling videos you can purchase. people just stand on the gas and go. wheels are in the air and spining at 50 mph and then smack down on the ground, no wonder the weaker axles break. being easy on the throttle, taking your time to pick a good line and having an experienced spotter will increase the longevety of your jeep parts 10 fold. but...... just my opinion

Though only wheeling for about 2 years, from what I gather, wheeling style has a lot to do with axle breakage. If bouncing (wheel hop) starts to occur, give it a rest, get a new line with a spotter, then if bounce is still there...strap or winch out. Bounce usualy results in damage.

[mrjeep]

I definately agree with the driving style being the culprit of many breakages. I drive a little more agressively than most. I definately don't agree with stopping and winching out because of wussing out. I've seen very capable rigs not make an opsticle because the owner was throttle shy. Kinda makes you want to go down there and offer to drive it up for them, which I actually have done for people on occaision.
However both times I broke the D35, it was stock 4.0 running 31s and I was just barely moving along. Having a locker and the vehicle leaning to one side going up a hill puts a lot of weight and stress on one wheel. Much more than Jeep intended which is what broke the axles. If Jeeps were bullitproof, we would have nothing to do therefore taking all the fun away of modifying them:-)

[Fred]

Heres to digging up an old post:
Denise Busted D35 Chomo Axle Shaft (locked I beleive) 20 March 2010
(I did not witness)
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/SCOTT9903/Turkey%20Bay%20March%202010/2-14-2010TuurkeyBay056.jpg

[fjmf]

lol good call fred.

[yellowx]

ive seen one 35c in a xj @ witc and my 30 @ golden mountain but that dana 30 was zj$lifes before it was mine so it was hammered on pretty hard before hard when i put it my 35 under my tj i never had any trouble out of it but i wasn't locked either now i'm running a built 8.8

[fjmf]

Oh and to add to this I've seen the same rock in the badlands take out 2 d35s. And one of those was on a 4 banger!!!

[bubbied]

good one fjmf

[belltom]

Well, Denise was not hamering on it when it broke. It was like mentioned at the first of this old thread that she got a wheel that bounced off the ground then stuck traction on a rock. Anything can happen on the trails - even with chromolly shafts!! The important thing is that fellow Jeepers pitched in to not leave anyone stranded on the trails! Remember that, the next time a fellow Jeeper is stuck, or possibly you. That is one important thing about this sport - we all stick around to help out.

[bubbied]

This is the way I feel about things, we convoy together, eat together, jeep together, usually sleep at the same hotel, campsites and such together. We are a jeep family. And we NEVER leave a jeeper behind. But, that is just my opinion. Take it as such.

[Marine]

No offense but TB isn't exactly difficult...

Also, I can promise you that if you run even 33" tires on a D35 locked it WILL BRAKE...if you run 35" tires open it will brake...

Good luck :-)

Try searching youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jobHVxA2hv8&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6TDlttr98&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&index=39

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaBWo5qVaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2njiwAfVAc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRHwjCYMlbM&feature=related

I could continue to post these, but you know how to search :-)

I am not trying to be mean, but you must realize that the D35 is truely a pieace of crap...I have a friend here in Denver that literly can't give his away so he is taking it to a scrap yard for disposal...

Now the D30 up front is a decent axle and can run 35" tires locked if it is chomo'd and trussed.

[Fred]

I don't agree with these statements at all

TB Has alot of technical wheeling, no its not 80' rocks, and the sort but the hills and gullies there make it challenging enough. The ones that don't find TB challenging or difficult are driving jeeps on 35's or better od built axles.

As for D35's being junk I half agree with this. My old jeep had a D35 on 32's and I beat theever loving crap out of it. I wheeled it at TB, WITC, Tellico, and Coal Creek all with ZERO D35 breakage, now D30's on the other hand, I went through 2 D30's on 31's, one on 32's, and 2 on 35's. All my jeeps are build mildly I only had over 35's for 2 weeks, and they were work 36's. My old TJ was locked front and rear with an8.8/S30 locked with ARB's,my current rig has a front locker, and open D44 on 35's.
I love TB, and EVERYTIME I go there I find new Challenges and to this day still can fins trails there that will deny a jeep on 35's

No offense but TB isn't exactly difficult...

Also, I can promise you that if you run even 33" tires on a D35 locked it WILL BRAKE...if you run 35" tires open it will brake...

Good luck :-)

Try searching youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jobHVxA2hv8&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6TDlttr98&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&index=39

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaBWo5qVaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2njiwAfVAc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRHwjCYMlbM&feature=related

I could continue to post these, but you know how to search :-)

I am not trying to be mean, but you must realize that the D35 is truely a pieace of crap...I have a friend here in Denver that literly can't give his away so he is taking it to a scrap yard for disposal...

Now the D30 up front is a decent axle and can run 35" tires locked if it is chomo'd and trussed.

[skisad]

TB Has alot of technical wheeling, no its not 80' rocks, and the sort but the hills and gullies there make it challenging enough. The ones that don't find TB challenging or difficult are driving jeeps on 35's or better od built axles.


This should be in a different thread, but TB is not hard. Is it a good, fun place to wheel yes.

[Fred]

This thread has stories of 14 axles (shafts, R&P's, UJoints) that were all claimed to thier death at TB and there are many more that were never documented in this thread.

I know personally of 2 trucks of D60's that broke, one on 38's and one on 40's, one grnaded and the axle was pretty much a total loss, and another the shaft busted. An dI also know personally of a green truck that frequented TB that ran 42's on Rocks and he broke shafts on three different occasions.

[belltom]

All-in-al TB is not hard, but can be hard if you desire to take some of the unmanaged challenge areas marked by red rings around the trees. Some of those areas even buggies would find challenging. It is all about what you make of the ride/want to try.

Wear over 20-30 wheeling trips can take their toll on even the toughest components. That was the case with Denise's axle. It had seen many trips and breakage was soon to come as will it with my D44 sooner or later.

[belltom]

This is the way I feel about things, we convoy together, eat together, jeep together, usually sleep at the same hotel, campsites and such together. We are a jeep family. And we NEVER leave a jeeper behind. But, that is just my opinion. Take it as such.

Well-said and that proved true with the folks who helped Densie get home (Thanks Gary and Kenny, David, Scott, Rick and all of those who helped so much!). Did it make a miserable long day...YES! Did it leave us with a way to get out of there and home..YES!!! Thanks all!!!!

[Fred]

I for one REALLY enjoy TB even though it has claimed 3 D30 R&P's, 3 Shaft UJoints, 1 Unit Bearing, and one D30 Shaft. I enjoy not haveing to worrk about it being difficult and not needing to stay on my tows all thetime

[Turfzilla]

Oh and to add to this I've seen the same rock in the badlands take out 2 d35s. And one of those was on a 4 banger!!!

Both were 4 bangers - ;)

[fjmf]

Both were 4 bangers - ;)

oh yeah I forgot that was before jason got STROKED. lol

[timritchieblue]

i guess i will add mine

http://i43.tinypic.com/2wppgdx.jpg

[Marine]

This should be in a different thread, but TB is not hard. Is it a good, fun place to wheel yes.

Agreed, and he even stated that its hard to find "difficult" trails for TJs on 35's...

Here are a few pictures of my TJ on 35" tires and this is "pushing it to the limit" with 35" tires...

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/Marine660/Sidewinder_5_29_09/Sidewinder4.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/Marine660/Blanca_Peak%207_18_09/597101882_dsc00929.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/Marine660/Liberty%205_2_09/DSC_2895.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l27/Marine660/Liberty%205_2_09/DSC_2903.jpg

I guess what I am saying is when you get to 33" and 35" tires TB is NOT a challange...If you are rolling 31 and 32" tires then the D35 shouldn't be a concern of braking it anyway!

[DJEEPER]

No offense but TB isn't exactly difficult...

Also, I can promise you that if you run even 33" tires on a D35 locked it WILL BRAKE...if you run 35" tires open it will brake...

Good luck :-)

Try searching youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jobHVxA2hv8&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=38

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM6TDlttr98&feature=PlayList&p=6BC4F968FAB58C5C&index=39

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaBWo5qVaw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2njiwAfVAc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRHwjCYMlbM&feature=related

I could continue to post these, but you know how to search :-)

I am not trying to be mean, but you must realize that the D35 is truely a pieace of crap...I have a friend here in Denver that literly can't give his away so he is taking it to a scrap yard for disposal...

Now the D30 up front is a decent axle and can run 35" tires locked if it is chomo'd and trussed.


The third link is me....haha....whoops.