Busted front ring gear - limping home, off the trail

[notnsuv]

Friend of a friend busted a front Dana 44 ring gear on the trail near Quartzite, AZ. They're trying to figure out what can be done to drive out in 2WD without causing further damage.
Ring gear busted 4 teeth, pinion will not spin. They've pulled the front driveshaft but wondering what needs to be removed and reassembled to drive it out.

Much appreciated if we can get this guy home.

Still searching the forum..

 

[jjvw]

Two options. Pull the carrier and remove the ring gear. Reinstall. Or remove axle shafts along with the driveshaft and reinstall the outer stub shafts to keep the unit bearings from falling apart. Both options involve pulling shafts

 

[machoheadgames]

pull the axle shafts and unit bearings, uninstall the inner shafts from the stub shafts at the u-joint, reinstall the unit bearings and stub shafts and hit the road.

 

[notnsuv]

Two options. Pull the carrier and remove the ring gear. Or remove axle shafts along with the driveshaft and reinstall the outer stub shafts to keep the unit bearings from falling apart.

Passed it along. Happened when flat towing and figure it must have leaked and gone dry. So at least he's in camp and not on the trail.
'preciate the rapid response.

You guys Rock!

 

[notnsuv]

pull the axle shafts and unit bearings, uninstall the inner shafts from the stub shafts at the u-joint, reinstall the unit bearings and stub shafts and hit the road.

Is this where the 12-point 13mm is required?

 

[jjvw]

Is this where the 12-point 13mm is required?

To remove the three long bolts holding the unit bearings, yes.

 

[Blackjack]

Two options. Pull the carrier and remove the ring gear. Reinstall. Or remove axle shafts along with the driveshaft and reinstall the outer stub shafts to keep the unit bearings from falling apart. Both options involve pulling shafts

Yep. There is no easy button for this one.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

As above he'll need to remove both inner shafts in order to drive. And it's IMPORTANT that he ONLY remove the inner shafts, do NOT remove the outer stub shafts. The outer stub shafts hold the unit bearing hubs together. A friend/member of a 4x4 club I used to belong to was killed on the highway when one of his unit bearing hubs came apart after having removed its stub shaft that was holding it together.

 

[steelhd]

Yep. There is no easy button for this one.

Could he rent a dolly to get it home? Ive read that it cant be done and that it can be done but since he is in camp that would be an "easy button" solution.

 

[notnsuv]

Could he rent a dolly to get it home? Ive read that it cant be done and that it can be done but since he is in camp that would be an "easy button" solution.

He's getting it done right now but dolly was a last ditch consideration.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Is it going home on a dolly? If it's not just make sure he knows to leave the outer stub shafts installed as described in #8 above.

 

[Blackjack]

Could he rent a dolly to get it home? Ive read that it cant be done and that it can be done but since he is in camp that would be an "easy button" solution.

Sure as long as they get it off the trail without issue.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Could he rent a dolly to get it home? Ive read that it cant be done and that it can be done but since he is in camp that would be an "easy button" solution.

It absolutely can be towed home with the front wheels up on a dolly. No problem. The front tires not turning the axle while driving as a few claim is not different from the many of us who drive our TJs all over on the highways with our aftermarket front hubs unlocked which stops the front axle/driveshaft from turning in 2wd.