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Are Axle Yoke Straps all that bad??

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Feb 2, 2005.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    On my waggie axles i have straps to hold the ujoint to the axle yoke. Are they OK to keep or are they really as bad as people talk about them?? I am pondering bout drilling them out to accept Ubolts but not sure bout if they will lose integrity. Can i buy off the shelf yokes that will accept ubolts.??
     
    DanStew, Feb 2, 2005
    #1
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    It's an easy to do conversion.

    I've not done it on the TJ after 7 years or whatever though... ;)
     
    sparky, Feb 2, 2005
    #2
  3. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I never had a problem with them on my Blazers........ I did bust a few u joints, and would just replace the straps when i replaced a u joint... They're sheep at FLAPS...
     
    Patrick, Feb 2, 2005
    #3
  4. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    i think that is one of those problems that mags came up with years ago that not everyone believes
     
    mb82, Feb 2, 2005
    #4
  5. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    I've seen a number of strap failures on the trail. In every case but one I attribute the failure to re-using the same straps and screws after changing a ujoint. Replace the straps AND screws, and the straps should be OK, although probably still not as strong as a ubolt.
    4WDH has ubolt conversion kits, depending on what you need.
     
    lynn, Feb 3, 2005
    #5
  6. budtoh3zo

    budtoh3zo Member

    Just dont reuse and you will be fine.
     
    budtoh3zo, Feb 3, 2005
    #6
  7. cj5 buggy

    cj5 buggy Member

    Dan don't reuse... thats the reason Jeff broke this past weekend on the Zuki... u should be alright...
     
    cj5 buggy, Feb 3, 2005
    #7
  8. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Thanks guys. i will look into the kit, if it is too much for my cheap butt i will get new straps, i have the old ones on there, they are going to get the heave ho.
     
    DanStew, Feb 3, 2005
    #8
  9. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    They're dirt cheap to buy new ones.
     
    sparky, Feb 3, 2005
    #9
  10. schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    I had an amc20 rear strap fail. Thats running 32s and a FI 4.0. I attribute it to loose bolts, the ujoint broke one of the bolts and ripped the strap off. The broken bolt was surprisingly difficult to remove, I ended up saying screw it and replaced it with a u bolt type. I think the "replace instead of reuse" is good advice. The more wheeling you do and the more extreme the setup (big tires, low gears, xxxHP) the more it is maybe a good idea to switch. On the other hand I want to say my gm 14 bolt on my blazer uses the straps and never had a problem after multiple reuses. I may be wrong the truck is back home in Illinois and it has been 5 years since I've seen it. Our 83 CJ7 (with the amc20 mentioned above) also had those 12 point bolts that required 1/4 drive 12 point sockets to remove/install. That alone is reason enough to replace them in my book. If you have to reuse on the trail loctite would probably be a good idea also, if you can give it time to set.
     
    schardein, Feb 3, 2005
    #10
  11. Southtowns27

    Southtowns27 Custom Title

    I had a strap type fail on my '62 Sno-Cat on the driveshaft between the tranny and t-case. It tore everything up. U-joint was surprisingly alright though. It was probably due to a loose bolt/strap and it just couldn't hold on anymore. It was a fun fix too, 10 degrees out in the middle of a field. I'll have to check, but I think my '67 'Cat uses U-bolts
     
    Southtowns27, Feb 3, 2005
    #11
  12. BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Straps are fine if they are tight.
    Use locktight and snug the snot em down.
    A set of straps/bolts was only a few bucks last time I bought a set.
     
    BlueFlu, Feb 3, 2005
    #12
  13. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    last set i got was for a 97 TJ $2.99 at NAPA
     
    mb82, Feb 3, 2005
    #13
  14. CJMace

    CJMace Member

    Off year, but relevent, I was wheeling with a buddy in a frankenstein Cj-7, came up over a ledge, bounced down and snap. Thought he broke both driveshafts, except never really heard that wonderfully horrible sound? Took a look, snapped 3 of the 4 straps holding both front and rear driveshafts together. Had to winch and tow all the way home adding about 4 hours to a four hour day. Now, I never thought of the reusing factor, and I am sure that he probably did, BUT, for as cheap as these parts are, it is not worthit to even risk imho. I got the yolks from a jeep yard for 5 bucks each, cleaned up the seal surface, and spent 12 dollars on the new ubolt kits, now with my 57 year old vehicle, I have two less things to worry about going bang on the trail. Just a thought, replacing might get you by, but if your on the trail, I would want a little more security than that. Good luck.
     
    CJMace, Feb 8, 2005
    #14