End Yoke #2... broken.

[Joopin]

350 engine swap

Hey 4x4 fans... here is a little problem I keep having, maybe you can help me out. This past weekend I was wheelin and broke the end yoke to my D44 rear. This is the second time it happend... the first time I was really beating on it though pullin a Raider out of the mud. This time I was climbing really steep sand hills all day long. The last one was the steepest, I made it up but was hopping on the crest just before I got over. I didn't notice the shaft floppin around though until I got up all the way and then back down.
Anyway, now I have a broken end yoke... the tabs that hold on the Ujoint caps to be exact... same as before. I was thinking of just taking it off and welding a huge tab on the end yoke so it would Never break off. This is just my idea though.

Has this happend to anyone else at all? More than once? Any advice would be great. Thanks.
Joop

 

[Snitty]

welding a huge tab? explain

 

[Joopin]

I went ahead with my idea after work. This is the huge tab... it's more like a cradle for the u joint...

Now the weakest point are the u joint strap bolts... better then a whole end yoke! What do you think Snitty?

Joop

 

[White]

Sure you have enough travel in your driveshaft? Did you degree the axle when you installed it ?

 

[Snitty]

looks good to me... better than the tiny little ears

 

[Joopin]

White, the degree of my driveshaft did decrease since I first installed it... the rear springs settled quite a bit since I put the rear bumper and tire carrier on. I'll remedy that soon though. I don't have any driveline vibes yet though.

 

[jps4jeep]

I think you need a 5th link or a traction bar set up. sounds like the wheel hop and spring wrap are binding up you yoke and ujoint. Sjyjacker makes one, but you can build one for 1/8 of it's cost. Heck, I will even give you the shackle you'll need.

 

[Joopin]

Yeah I have been meaning to make a traction bar, havn't gotten to it yet for some reason. I was going to make the kind that goes directly over the rear pumpkin... but then I have to weld to cast... that's what's keepin me I think.

 

[jps4jeep]

I will look for a link to a pic of the one's i have seen made.

 

[jps4jeep]

Jesse,

Check this link out. this was the design I was thinking, but I would make one slight modification, instead of mounting the forward link to the skid plad, I would build a cross member to attach it higher up inbetween the frame.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/t.molnar/TractionBar1.htm

 

[jps4jeep]

Oh ya, i would also gusset the home made cross member to hte frame for a little more strength.

 

[Joopin]

thanks John, looks like a good setup. I bookmarked it, now I just gotta do it!