If your DS is hitting the skid I would just notch out a bit of the skid to keep it from rubbing. Now as far as the greasable or non greasable u joints. It is personal preference. I prefer greaseable joints because I hate listening to a sqweeky jeep. But some will say that non greasable joints are stonger but I am still not convenced. Hope this helps.
Front Driveshaft rubbing on skid plate
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
2
Heck yeah, it's bad. When I first took my Jeep out after lifting it, I heard some awful grinding noises when I got flexed out and it took me a couple of runs to figure what it was. I had it so bad that the driveshaft interference was limiting my downtravel! So think about that, your entire axle is being supported by the drivshaft hanging up on the tranny skid. That can't be doing your U joints and TC bearings any good. It looked like mine was just rubbing on one little spot, so I ground it down and gusseted it in back nice and neat, thinking that was all it needed. Well it still scraped. It took about 10 iterations of cutting/grinding/welding before I finally got enough clearance. It turns out I had to cut clear though the crossmember to get enough clearance.Minjin said:
Here was my first modification, thinking it was just hitting in the one spot.
By the time I was done, I had completely sawn through the original crossmember, and welded a new crossmember channel below the original crossmember to support the driver's side end of the skid plate.
You can see even with such a huge mod, the DS just barely clears the new crossmember at full droop. Oh, and I also spaced the whole skid plate down 1/2" as well! You can see the spacer on the left side crossmember mount.
This of course is just a temporary hack. I guess my long term fix will be to by a Savvy Under Armor, or something along those lines.
So yeah, it's a huge problem, but don't tell anyone. It's the best kept secret in Jeeping for some reason. :roll:
5
OBM did a mod on mine that completely eliminated the problem.
It took a little work, but was not that complicated if you can weld or have access to a welder.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
It took a little work, but was not that complicated if you can weld or have access to a welder.
What are your plans for the oil pan protection? That would concern me too.KingRubiconMan said:![]()
I tossed that factory front skid plate after teh first 500 miles. There are tons of after market options that attach to the from by the engine mounts instead of hanging that brace under the driveshaft. My suspension droops too far to notch that arm and avoid the driveshaft. from hitting.f9k9 said:What are your plans for the oil pan protection? That would concern me too.KingRubiconMan said:![]()
I am pulling a Full Traction kit off my Jeep now that has an engine skid which will not get in the way. UCF makes great steel or Aluminum versions. There are lots of options out there.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
