08' jk /rubi. Got together, but won't steer and...

Well, all the work I've done - Bomb Shell Kit, "C" gussets, RCV Ultimate JK axles, Truss on the pumpkin, 5.38 gears, Tom Woods drive shafts - I have it all together, but.... Soon as I pulled out of the garage, turned a bit and couldn't turn it back the other way (steering wheel). {Jacked it up, turns fine}. A hard "clunk" also happened. I got it out in the "loop" - (I am living on the end of one of those dead end streets that has the houses in a loop on the end) - Am in 2wd Hi. I can kinda turn one way forward, and kinda turn the other way when backing up.
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Was maybe wondering.... With the sleeve inside the d-44 housing - I hope the axles are not rubbing/binding on the sleeve when turning....
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Another thought... The 12 point bolts that hold the wheel hub to the - (don't know the correct term) support frame between the knuckles - I used the originals... then happened to notice the bag that had the RCV bolts. Are similar, but the washer head is shaved down a bit. Hope that isn't the problem, or maybe I do, as that would be and easy fix...
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Anyway - anyone happen to have a clue what I've screwed up - besides the whole @$#&*! thing? And that I need to replace the whole thing?

take pics and post em. i am sure we can help you work it out.

A movie from the digital camera. I have the front end on jack stands and am rotating drivers tire by hand. Starting off, there is slack before drive shaft and other tire turns. Toward the end, I am turning the other way and I hit an "empty" spot - where D.S. and other tire quit for a moment, then re-engages.
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The following are pic's I took this morning. Wheels off the ground, I can easily move tires full left to right stop to stop. And rotates ok, other that that "spot" that feels like its going thru a free-wheel spot.
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Thanks...

the problem is turing the jeep, right? try to get someone to sit in the jeep and turn the wheels left to right and tell you wen it begins to bind while you sit in from of the jeep watching the steering cycle.

wonder if you power steering pump or gear box is going out?

are the axle shafts engaged fully in the carrier? I dont have any experience with those type of shafts. we do have a member named Paul who has those on his 2dr JK. Perhaps he can also chime in with his thoughts.

Also, is your steering stabilizer installed to allow equal travel of the piston from left to right?

Sounds like its in the axles if you can turn fine with it jacked up. The weight of the Jk is putting it in a bind somewhere.

Tim has RCVs also....I am thinking ball joint issues also but I don't see anything obvious. It only binds with weight on the knuckles. The driveline souldn't bind unless in 4wd... I would think if you had interference between the axle/sleeve it would rear it's ugly head all of the time....unless the ball joints are letting the knuckle travel up when loaded? Tim (The BigTman) has the exact set up on his 44 with no issues. What type of traction device is in the pumpkin? It almost sounds like it is locked (no steering, uugly noises). I don't mean to ramble, just speculating on the keyboard.... good luck, and let us know what you find....R.

I just read about the bolts and I would check that if they are different it is for a reason?

I went back and watched your video. it appears thefront axle is locked or trying to. the other tire should turn backwards. the play at the beginning is before the locker kicked in the driveline is turning faster untill the other tire kicks in. This would also lock up the steering. It could be as simple as putting a friction modifier additive in the gear oil, or as serious as a locker.... That is what I see....

"Also, is your steering stabilizer installed to allow equal travel of the piston from left to right? "

Is still as the factory set it. I undid at the stationary end. But I can steer lock to lock with the wheels off the ground. I don't think (was late last night) I can turn lock to lock (steering wheel) just sitting still, wheels on the ground. But... I will re-test that this evening when I get home. Will also put the ass end up on jack stands too, and try in gear (gently-duh!).

New drive shafts are not binding anywhere either.

Jeep has under 10k miles on it. Everything worked fine when parked 2 months ago. May pull the Diff cover and take a look after checking some other things. I remember searching the Flash-pac for the place to change the gear ratio to the 5.38's, there was a listing for "lockers". I don't think I changed anything there. Don't know if this forces them to always on? **** May unplug the "electric" locker - just need to figure out which of the two it is. Think it is one that has a "yellow" wire to it, don't remember the other wire color.

Problems showed up within 6 feet of trying to drive out of the garage.

And in the video, key is out of the ignition, nothing "on".

And the "marks" of tire tread prints on the smooth cement on the driveway - I wondered if it didn't look like axles are "locked".

Messages have been posted while I've been typing, so have tried to answer all here best I can...

Need to do End-Of Day stuff here at work and I'll be home. 6:00, :30 or so... Thanks for help...

Ok, I'm home now. I can rock one wheel back and forth, other side follows and other than the "slack" in the system, don't slip any at all, like its a straight axle. Jeep is "off", no key in the ignition. Is there something that could have been done when person installing the new gears could have done? And looks like I need to pull the housing out and have the locker/spider gears looked at? It's 70 miles round trip to where I have to take the dana to have it worked on. No one around here recommended.

Bingo... you win the teddy bear... locker issues. I will call my gear buddy tomorrow...


On Tim's Rubi he showed me that you command lock and then command unlock ... that tells me that the diff should stay wherever it was left. Try locking and unlocking the diff. And what does the icon in the cluster tell you? Even without power it might remain locked? I am learning here too. Thanks for the ass scratcher, It makes my mind stretch.

Checked rear axle, is fine, other side spins opposite. Guess I'm pullin' the front back out. Back after while...

oops, you posted. Ok, I'll try the buttons, maybe the flash pac and see if anything changes before removing the !@#$%&* thing... Thanks...

Flash-pac isn't activated for manual control. Cycled dash switch while in 4wd-lo. rear light went steady. Front stays blinking. Poked top of switch for "off" both dash light go off. Did this 3 times ( front and back are on jack stands, so all corners are grabin' air) - nothing has changed. Guess I'm pulling the friggin thing. Unless someone pops in here in a bit.... I'll check in once in a while - and has a better idea.... Shy of 8pm. Doubt I'll get it all the way out tonight. Gota hit Subway before close, so I will work till about - oh - 9:20 or so.

Did you pull out the locker? you may not have reinstalled the lock sensor correctly. there are some posts on it on JK Owners.

I had a qualified person pull the locker and do the gear change. He put it back together.

I'll search " lock sensor" on JKO and see what I find...

Thank g_d I only used BLUE Locktite putting things together.... Have it mostly ready to come out. Still have diriveshaft, control arms, locker wires. Got everything else off/loose last night. Will finish tonight. Haul it to Tulsa Thursday as early as I can. Any luck, I'll be able to get it Friday, and spend another weekend putting it together... Fun...Fun...Fun. I guess...

Welcome to the world of JEEPs

Well, I got the axle assembly to Tulsa this morning. Got a call later from them. Seems that the locker is fine when pulled out, as soon as it is installed back in the pumpkin, it is locked up. I suspect they are going to tell me that all the welding I did has warped the housing and will need replaced..... Don't know yet thou. When welding, I only would do 1 to 2 inches at a time, and wouldn't weld again till could lay my hand on it - or sometimes was next day. So.... If I have screwed it up... Where should I shop for a new housing? Setup for electric lockers. And do I dare try doing anything again????
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Was this over kill?

nope! They do not know how to reinstall the locker correctly.

read here: http://jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2531&highlight=LOCKER


If not installed right, the lockers stay engaged when reinstalled into the housing.

Will call them tomorrow and see if I can email this link to them... Thanks...

Got the Axle Assembly back this afternoon - fixed. Locker works like should now. Started putin' back on the Jeep about 6:30 this evening, was together and test driving 9:30ish. Got up to about 50mph and had a "death-wobble"!!! Got back home, checked all steering connections, but found I missed 1 bolt - pan hard bar bolt on the axle end. Took another test drive, got out on county road up to 65mph and is solid. At 65, rpm's are about 2k - which is good.... So, sitin' here eatin supper, and think I'll sleep good tonight....!

congrats!