expatoz
07-28-2008, 10:07 PM
So on my Utah trip I busted my front axle passenger side axle bracket. This caused the CV to pop and it smacked into my oil pan cracking the upper alum pan. Left me stranded for three days waiting for parts to arrive etc.
Anyhow, I purchased a new bracket and had Bruce reinforce it. It weights about 3x the OEM - this mother won't break.
Of the three breakages I know of personally, one was running 265's, one 285's, one 305's, all were in 4Lo and center diff locked. All happened in one year, of three to four year old 4th gens.
First pic shows the comparison bewteen my broken bracket which I had welded to go get back home, and Bruce's handiwork. For those who know me, I have some issues with cans of white spray paint LOL
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08006.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08001.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08002.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08003.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08004.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08005.jpg
and I cut down the rubber insert so the rubber rings sits in the recess correctly. I believe there were four total that neeed cutting (inside ones only)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08008.jpg
Bruce can probably comment more on his thoughts on the fab work but it works for. Gave it a good work out in Big Bear this weekend!
Anyhow, I purchased a new bracket and had Bruce reinforce it. It weights about 3x the OEM - this mother won't break.
Of the three breakages I know of personally, one was running 265's, one 285's, one 305's, all were in 4Lo and center diff locked. All happened in one year, of three to four year old 4th gens.
First pic shows the comparison bewteen my broken bracket which I had welded to go get back home, and Bruce's handiwork. For those who know me, I have some issues with cans of white spray paint LOL
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08006.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08001.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08002.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08003.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08004.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08005.jpg
and I cut down the rubber insert so the rubber rings sits in the recess correctly. I believe there were four total that neeed cutting (inside ones only)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y93/expatozzie/axle%20bracket%20and%20CV/BigBear08008.jpg
Bruce can probably comment more on his thoughts on the fab work but it works for. Gave it a good work out in Big Bear this weekend!