JUST SNAPPED MY DIFF IN 12" SNOW!!

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

so here is my story, tell me what u think.

i was trying to get my jeep out of the side of the road it was only in about 12 in of snow on 2 wheels, it wouldnt move so i gave it a bit more throttle and the wheels started to spin and then the front wheels caught and i hear the horrible snapping sound and a slipping of some gears, the front diff exploded as the dealership says, they had to tow it...
the bad part is that imm only 15 dont even have my permit, it happen at the bottom of my driveway too. they jeep only has 3000 miles on it and it is a 06'

sorry for my horrible typing, imm really tired right now

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:41 pm

I think that sucks. The dana 30a sucks too. You should get it covered under warranty-just dont mention the part of gunning it till it gained traction. Saying less could be more with only 3k on the ticker.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:42 pm

yup that can happen going from no traction to high traction situations

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

yea it really does, i want to get the diff collar for when i get the new diff

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:44 pm

mtnbikermatt wrote:

yea it really does, i want to get the diff collar for when i get the new diff

Your in luck,I'm selling mine.Never installed it,don't need it anymore.Will sell for $50 + shipping.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Quote:

Never installed it,don't need it anymore.

Don't need it anymore, eh? Is there something bigger in the works? :wink:

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:20 am

may need a diff collar, a drivers license, more experience

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

tjkj2002 - i might be interested in that collar i will pm you about it.

i am hoping crysler will pickup the tab for the rental so my father does not make me pay for it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:14 am

Skyjump136 wrote:

Quote:

Never installed it,don't need it anymore.

Don't need it anymore, eh? Is there something bigger in the works? :wink:

Not yet,the diff collar has been staring at me for months now and is on my "to do but will never get done list" so might as well sell it.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:55 am

mtnbikermatt wrote:

i am hoping crysler will pickup the tab for the rental so my father does not make me pay for it.

Not to be mean but, what do you need a rental for when you don't even have a license yet?

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

i needed to rent because its my sisters jeep (going to be mine when she goes to college next year) and it is how we get to school

wendell · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:15 pm

OK, I'm gonna play the fool, what does this diff colar do and where do you get it. Also what else can be done to strengthen the front diff, would a truetrac help as far as strength? Whats actually breaking, the pinion? I'm just trying to figure out what the deal is with these front diffs. It seems jeep was a sleep at the wheel if they break that easy. Sorry for all the questions, I've had alot of jeeps but never a kj untill now and the front diffs were never an issue on my other jeeps.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

The actual diff housing breaks (not the internals) where the drive shaft enters the back of the diff. The diff collar goes around this area and the hope is that it strengthens things enough to keep it from breaking. I do not remember where they were purchased, but there is a thread around here about it.

A TruTrac might help as it would limit some of the wheel slip described above. Almost all the failures happen when the front wheels are spinning out of control and then catch. If you find yourself in this type of situation go easy on the skinny pedal, back up, find a better line, etc.

chefdab · **Posted:** Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:23 pm

If I can recall correctly, the people that have the diff collar got them from McMaster Carr.

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:51 am

Don't feel guility or think that it was your doing. It isn't your fault that Jeep put that piece of crap in the front of our KJ's. I couldn't imagine that it would not be covered by warranty.

Everytime I wheel I wonder if "this is going to be the time that my front diff fails for the 2nd time". The first time was in a rain storm and my wife put it in 4wd hi for extra traction on the street. I guess the pavement was just too much for it.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:32 am

Skyjump136 wrote:

The actual diff housing breaks (not the internals) where the drive shaft enters the back of the diff. The diff collar goes around this area and the hope is that it strengthens things enough to keep it from breaking. I do not remember where they were purchased, but there is a thread around here about it.

A TruTrac might help as it would limit some of the wheel slip described above. Almost all the failures happen when the front wheels are spinning out of control and then catch. If you find yourself in this type of situation go easy on the skinny pedal, back up, find a better line, etc.

When my housing cracked, (got air borne w/wheels spinning and came down on a nice dry rock, bang, chrunch, grind) my ring&pinion also got chewed up badly and had to be replaced. Oh, and I was using the True Trac in the front.
Since I replaced the housing, gears, (out of pocket)and installed the collar, I have not pushed my luck on difficult obstacles where bouncing and getting the front end air borne are involved with the pedal to the metal. If it dosen't go up or over it now, with moderate throttle, I stop and let the winch do it's thing.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:48 am

Spike6901 wrote:

Don't feel guility or think that it was your doing. It isn't your fault that Jeep put that piece of crap in the front of our KJ's. I couldn't imagine that it would not be covered by warranty.

Everytime I wheel I wonder if "this is going to be the time that my front diff fails for the 2nd time". The first time was in a rain storm and my wife put it in 4wd hi for extra traction on the street. I guess the pavement was just too much for it.

You mean it broke just driving down the road in 4wd? Did she have it in 4hi?

wendell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:53 am

If anyone has a link on where to get said collar, I would apperciate it, cause if it can be broken , with my luck, Ill break it. I'm just use to my fords and old jeeps I guess, balls to the walls I never given a thought to the front diff. Maybe if enough of them get broke, jeep will see the error of thier ways, but most people with kj's never go offroad if ever use the 4x4, so I'm sure it will be only the few that break them. Not enough for jeep to realize that they goofed

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

Quote:

When my housing cracked, (got air borne w/wheels spinning and came down on a nice dry rock, bang, chrunch, grind) my ring&pinion also got chewed up badly and had to be replaced. Oh, and I was using the True Trac in the front.
Since I replaced the housing, gears, (out of pocket)and installed the collar, I have not pushed my luck on difficult obstacles where bouncing and getting the front end air borne are involved with the pedal to the metal. If it dosen't go up or over it now, with moderate throttle, I stop and let the winch do it's thing.

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply the internals wouldn't be totalled after this...just that the cause is the exterior housing breaking first.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:41 pm

I arranged the group buy from a local shop here on Long Island. you should be able to search on threads started by me. It was many months ago. The shop ordered extras at that time and said he'd keep extras on hand.

JUST SNAPPED MY DIFF IN 12" SNOW!!

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