mattn124

Hello;

The truck in my signature may need a new front axle, or at least some work.

Here is what happened:

I had to park in a shallow ditch last night during my son's baseball practice. I engaged 4-wheel drive (4wd) before I went into the ditch because the ground was soft from rain.

Everything felt OK going into 4wd.

When it was time to leave, I had to cut my wheels hard to the right and go in reverse while in the ditch. As soon as I started moving there was a series of very loud pops/cracks and the front of the truck shook with them. I only moved about 4-5 feet when this happened as I stopped right away.

After that, I was not able to get 4wd to engage anymore! I almost had to get a tug to get out of the ditch.

Drove home just fine. When I got home I tested my 4wd on my gravel driveway. I do not think it is working because I did not get any of that wheel-hop while at full turn when I had 4wd engaged.

Also, I recently installed a 4x4 posi-lok system. I have used it a few times just to make sure I know how to engage it and it has always worked with no problems.

Any suggestions as to what is wrong?

How difficult is it to swap an axle from a newer truck? If I have to spend the money I want a setup from a 2000-2002 truck so I can do the big brake upgrade.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

--Matt

jrs_dodge_diesel

I wonder if you popped an axle shaft?

Do you have any way to safely put all four wheels in the air and see if 4x4 works?

mattn124

That's what I'm going to have to do next. With Mother's day weekend and the kid's baseball game schedules I'm not likely to have time to do this for a week or 2 though...

At least we are a long time from snowy roads so I have some time to figure something out.

Ed ke6bnl

could this be an issue with the CAD not fully connected?

mattn124

Ed;

You are exactly correct! I had time to wrench on it today. Turns out that I had not properly adjusted the posi-lok cable when I installed it; and the cable was not fully moving the collar inside the axle at the CAD all the way over. It was just not fully engaged.

After re-adjusting it all works just fine! I also saw no damage to anything under the CAD housing.

Thanks,

Matt