AMC 20 Axle Woes

Turbogus · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 08:42 PM

Greetings from Oregon (rainy, dreary, wet) I purchased a '78 CJ 5 a while back and have been having some rear axle problems. Shortly after acquiring this CJ axle grease was seeping out of the hub. Upon removing the axles we noticed that the inner wheel bearings were WELDED to the axle, not by heat/friction, but by someone with a welder! A local shop re kitted this axle (narrow AMC 20) with a Yukon 1 piece axle kit I also installed a axle truss/skid plate. 1st try and the free play was too tight - burned up the wheel bearings. 2nd try, too loose - axle backed out of the housing shortly after leaving shop. 3rd try and things went well for about two months and then noticed some seepage at the rear hub again. Sure enough, the free play had increased. This go, a non stock bearing keeper was installed to hold bearing firmly in place -we hope! The shop chief noticed that there are two half circle ( ) inserts incorporated into this axle that were part of the 'welded' axle, no mention of these in the AMC service manual that I luckily had acquired since getting this Jeep, and another odd thing is correct free play cannot be obtained without these half circle inserts. Any ideas for a final cure to these axle woes?

yjdave · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 11:41 PM

Nice to see another orygonian. IMO get a d44.

jps4jeep · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 03:39 PM

Narrow track D44's are dime a dozen and should bolt right up, just e weary that some D44 rear axles are off-setted differentials.

Turbogus · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2005, 11:02 AM

Since time and effort has gone into this axle I'd hate to give up on it and will go to 44 if all else fails. In my research thus far Dana 44's are not really a direct bolt up as some may think. So be careful

Junkpile · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2005, 06:30 PM

Well, there is one that will bolt up and match the current width. The 72-73(?) Commando rear D44 is a direct swap for the centered 76-81 CJ. All others will require moving the perches. The most common one is the 72-75 CJ D44 and it only requires the perch relocation to work. It has a centered diff, 30 spline shafts, and 11" brakes. Good upgrade from factory if you want to stay with the narrow track setup.

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time. An AMC 20 with some Moser shafts and a full truss is just as strong or stronger than a factory D44.

Turbogus · #6 (**permalink**) 11-16-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks for yer accolade Junkpile. I've read such elsewhere as well. It's been two weeks since the last fix and so far so good. Maybe we finally put them gremlins to rest. We'll see.