If you are swapping a JK Rubicon locker for an ARB learn from my mistake!
Well, this is not the way we had hoped to end our second test drive after our recent gear change. As part of this gear swap we also replaced the factory Rubicon Locker with an ARB air locker. This unfortunately is where my error was made that resulted in a total pinion bearing failure.
Clearly written in the ARB directions is a page dedicated to ensuring the axle tubes have sufficient draining for the oil to make its way back into the case. Unfortunately, I misinterpreted the need for as part of the install. You see, with many differentials the gear oil actually drains from the tube back into the case through the bearings. However, when you add an ARB locker this drain path is essentially closed off by the actuator slip ring. Oil that makes its way into the tube must have a return path.
I failed to do this… As you can see here there is a notch at the top of the tube entry but not at the bottom. This allowed oil to enter the tube and never return to the case (at least quick enough to keep everything properly lubed.
The result was this with less than 100 miles. When I went to pull the cover I found very little oil in the gear case. I wondered where it had gone as there were no signs of leaks. Then, when I pulled the driver's axle I found it... The oil came gushing out!
I have now added the drain notch and will be contacting Northridge when they open tomorrow to get another R&P and overhaul kit headed my way.
Hopefully this helps keep someone out of trouble.
The silver lining is I am in the middle of switching my WAL sticker from silver to blue so I brought no embarrassment to the forum while on a roll-back
Well, this is not the way we had hoped to end our second test drive after our recent gear change. As part of this gear swap we also replaced the factory Rubicon Locker with an ARB air locker. This unfortunately is where my error was made that resulted in a total pinion bearing failure.
Clearly written in the ARB directions is a page dedicated to ensuring the axle tubes have sufficient draining for the oil to make its way back into the case. Unfortunately, I misinterpreted the need for as part of the install. You see, with many differentials the gear oil actually drains from the tube back into the case through the bearings. However, when you add an ARB locker this drain path is essentially closed off by the actuator slip ring. Oil that makes its way into the tube must have a return path.
I failed to do this… As you can see here there is a notch at the top of the tube entry but not at the bottom. This allowed oil to enter the tube and never return to the case (at least quick enough to keep everything properly lubed.
The result was this with less than 100 miles. When I went to pull the cover I found very little oil in the gear case. I wondered where it had gone as there were no signs of leaks. Then, when I pulled the driver's axle I found it... The oil came gushing out!
I have now added the drain notch and will be contacting Northridge when they open tomorrow to get another R&P and overhaul kit headed my way.
Hopefully this helps keep someone out of trouble.
The silver lining is I am in the middle of switching my WAL sticker from silver to blue so I brought no embarrassment to the forum while on a roll-back
