85 FJ60 Full Float Axle

[BGarcia88FJ62]

So I'm heading home from Tractor Supply making a right turn uphill I hear a pop from the rear axle just like the "Lock-Right would sound if it unloaded in the turn
pretty common I pay no attention to it. Rear tires spin a bit....wet road pay no attention to it. About 10 hours later my wife is out in the car port feeding cats, she says "looks like there's oil all
over your rear tire".... I'm thinking Huh? So I go outside to find this.

3 Miles from my house at said turn I find this on the side of the road.

All the ARP Bolts and OEM Studs are sheared in the Hub!
What in all that is unholy possesses an axle and or Locker to do this!
I had just written down a list of projects I wanted to complete on both my trucks mainly exhaust work that's all on the back burner now.
Looks like a rebuild of this Axle is at the top of the list. I have all the parts but I may need a new/used Hub I don't think those ARP Bolts are coming out of there.
If anyone has a lead on one please let me know. Thanks Y'all

 

[HemiAlex]

Is the lock right a lunch box locker?

 

[Lead Head]

The broken bolts will probably unscrew without much issue. However, unless it's a trick of the light, that axle shaft is spent and will need to be replaced. Looks like the splines are twisted to to me.

May want to reconsider running an auto-locker on 35s.

Is the lock right a lunch box locker?

Yes it is.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Is the lock right a lunch box locker?

Yep.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

The broken bolts will probably unscrew without much issue. However, unless it's a trick of the light, that axle shaft is spent and will need to be replaced. Looks like the splines are twisted to to me.

May want to reconsider running an auto-locker on 35s.
View attachment 2881590

Yes it is.

At the first look they seemed fine. I'll get them cleaned up and give'm a hard look today I fear you may be right. Selectable Locker is in my sights.

 

[OSS]

Reason right there why anyone considering getting a differential locker to get an ARB pneumatic locker no matter what it costs.
That destruction is criminal.

 

[cruisermatt]

Ben i can drill those out and set you up for 7/16” ARP hardware which you will NOT break.

As for the breakage, thats just life with the lunchbox locker. I broke all the studs on one hub on the street on my third test drive with the V8 conversion. Small M8 studs can only take getting hammered on for so long. ARP will last longer but they are still M8 studs that all your drive is going thru.

 

[cruisermatt]

Reason right there why anyone considering getting a differential locker to get an ARB pneumatic locker no matter what it costs.
That destruction is criminal.

Selectable lockers are nice but not everyone has an unlimited budget, in this case Ben has got probably 10 years of regular wheeling out of a $250 locker that installs in 30 min.

For 35” tires and and stock engines they aren’t the worst thing ever if you have a budget trail rig.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Selectable lockers are nice but not everyone has an unlimited budget, in this case Ben has got probably 10 years of regular wheeling out of a $250 locker that installs in 30 min.

For 35” tires and and stock engines they aren’t the worst thing ever if you have a budget trail rig.

That "Lock-Rite" has been in there and abused for at least 15 years I had just replaced all the Springs and Pins before Mardi Crawl. I'm thinking it's time to upgrade but it will all depend on how the budget shakes out of course. I reckon the M8 ARP bolts weren't up for the task. Matt if I can't get these out I'll be in touch and have both Hubs shipped down or road tripped to you and set up for the 7/16 ARP gear. Thanks

 

[cruisermatt]

That "Lock-Rite" has been in there and abused for at least 15 years I had just replaced all the Springs and Pins before Mardi Crawl. I'm thinking it's time to upgrade but it will all depend on how the budget shakes out of course. I reckon the M8 ARP bolts weren't up for the task. Matt if I can't get these out I'll be in touch and have both Hubs shipped down or road tripped to you and set up for the 7/16 ARP gear. Thanks

I would need the hubs and shafts
Are you still on 33's or are you on 35's now? If 35's I would definitely upgrade, the only really weak link after that is the locker crosspin, if you go ARB that becomes a non-issue.

I've been hammering my 80FF (basically the same shafts as 60 FF) since 2015 with the same shafts, the only issue I had was the stock hub studs when I put the V8 in (I did clip a few of the studs off on rocks before that but never broke them from driveline torque with the 3FE). I did break four locker carrier crosspins last year though. (3 rears, 1 front). ARB's in my future when budget permits.

 

[Spike Strip]

Was that a stock axle or aftermarket?

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Was that a stock axle or aftermarket?

Stock Shafts. I haven't checked but I'd bet stock is unobtainium and I'll be researching aftermarket.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

I would need the hubs and shafts
Are you still on 33's or are you on 35's now? If 35's I would definitely upgrade, the only really weak link after that is the locker crosspin, if you go ARB that becomes a non-issue.

I've been hammering my 80FF (basically the same shafts as 60 FF) since 2015 with the same shafts, the only issue I had was the stock hub studs when I put the V8 in (I did clip a few of the studs off on rocks before that but never broke them from driveline torque). I did break four locker carrier crosspins last year though. (3 rears, 1 front). ARB's in my future when budget permits.

4:88 gears with 35's and that's the biggest tire this rig will see. ARB & JTM are on my radar gotta do more reading.

 

[cruisermatt]

Stock Shafts. I haven't checked but I'd bet stock is unobtainium and I'll be researching aftermarket.

Id stick with the stock shafts. Nitro makes chromo replacements but a bunch of 80 guys are twisting them.
That being said they may be the only way for you to get spares.

 

[Spike Strip]

Stock Shafts. I haven't checked but I'd bet stock is unobtainium and I'll be researching aftermarket.

Unobtanium, unless you want to pay SOR prices for used and that's twice the price for one stock heavily used Aussie axle vs a new pair of Nitro...

I've been looking for years for a back up pair... I will probably just go with the Nitro as I've more or less given up finding stock axles.

Maybe @TeamJB might be able to find some?

IIRC correctly, it's the long side that's difficult, the short side is shared with another LC that I don't remember at the moment. 70-series? Also, the long-spline shafts for Cable lockers will work, too.

Good luck. Let us know what you end up doing.

FWIW, this is why I've stayed with 33's and stock hardware. I have an ARB locker in the rear, but was worried about this scenario and the difficultly of finding a replacement axle if one breaks on the trail.

Also, the Harrop e-locker from Cruiser Bros is another option now, for a FF rear. Or at least it was ...

 

[cruisermatt]

Unobtanium, unless you want to pay SOR prices for used and that's twice the price for one stock heavily used Aussie axle vs a new pair of Nitro...

I've been looking for years for a back up pair... I will probably just go with the Nitro as I've more or less given up finding stock axles.

Maybe @TeamJB might be able to find some?

IIRC correctly, it's the long side that's difficult, the short side is shared with another LC that I don't remember at the moment. 70-series? Also, the long-spline shafts for Cable lockers will work, too.

Good luck. Let us know what you end up doing.

FWIW, this is why I've stayed with 33's and stock hardware. I have an ARB locker in the rear, but was worried about this scenario and the difficultly of finding a replacement axle if one breaks on the trail.

Also, the Harrop e-locker from Cruiser Bros is another option now, for a FF rear. Or at least it was ...

He didnt break the axle. Just the hub studs.

Another option could be to compare the 80 FF shaft lengths, they are a lot more common and companies like Branik or Moser could cut them down and re-spline them

 

[Spike Strip]

Those splines look twisted, not too bad, but visibly twisted. Lucky it was just the studs that gave and not the shaft.

I'd get a new shaft and keep that one as the spare.

 

[cruisermatt]

Those splines look twisted, not too bad, but visibly twisted. Lucky it was just the studs that gave and not the shaft.

I'd get a new shaft and keep that one as the spare.

I missed that post (on mobile).

@BGarcia88FJ62 put a straight edge on those splines.

 

[wngrog]

That’s crazy. I would at least add new pins and springs in the auto locker before investing in another axle

The splines are what my old axle builder called “work hardened” he swore they were just as strong with the slight twist.

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Cleaned up the Splines and put a straight edge on them. They aren't Twisted but aren't straight either plus the flange holes are a bit egged out. I don't think I'd trust them
wheeling or on the trail, Keeping them for spares for sure. Used shafts from S.O.R (Availability?) are about the same as New Chromoly aftermarket but the reviews for "Nitro" aren't that great. Any other aftermarket real time experience suggestions out there.