D44 CTM U-Joint after almost 4 years of Abuse

[Herzog]

I've been running CTM's in my D44 (with warn shafts, spooled front, and 5.13 R&P) for about 4 years pushing my heavy 38" TSL SX's. I tend to keep my u-joints greesed up well to get as much life out of them as possible, but I'm definately not religious about it.

Less than a year ago, I noticed that some of the brass bushing from my ctm had worked it's way out. I grabbed and tore a chunk of it out with a pair of pliers and continued on. The fact that the ctm's were starting to spit out it's brass bushings concerned me, so being the procrastinator that I am, I made sure to keep the joints lubed up more often and forgot about them.

A couple more months went by after some good wheelin trips. I started watching the joints closely and noticed that they were starting to have some play in them. I finally pursuaded myself to order up a rebuild kit from Jack at CTM Racing. Jack explained to me that I had a choice of getting just the bushings, or a full rebuilt kit that included caps and o-rings. Ordering only the bushings would mean that you had to machine out the old bushings and carefully press the new ones in. With this knowledge, I went ahead and got the full rebuild kit, since I had no idea how much damage I might have done to my joints.

Full CTM Rebuild Kit

The Brass bushings are a very high tolerance fit

Time to disassemble the joints and assess the damage. After removing the full-circle c-clips, the caps came out nice and easy. This is when I got a really good look at the worn/damaged bushings.

Remains of a bushing

Chunks and left over shards of brass

Old bushing, cap, o-ring, and c-clip

 

[Herzog]

At this point, I was sure that the ctm would be damaged for sure. But when I cleaned away the grease and touch inspected them, THEY WERE FLAWLESS! The only thing left over was some slight discoloration from the brass bushings!

CTM inspection

FLAWLESS. Looks just like it did 4 years ago brand new.

Suprisingly the old caps are in excellent shape as well. I will be keeping them as spares for a future rebuild.

Old and New Cap comparison.

This is a true testiment to how awesome these u-joints really are. 4 years of abuse on the rocks and they look like they are ready for another 50. I have absolutely no problem rebuilding my u-joints every 3-4 years if they are going to look like this every time.

All that is left is putting it all back together.

Cleaned up CTM back in the saddle of the Warn shaft

I couldn't feel any flaws in the ctm cross bars

Ready to go!

I'm not getting any royalties or special treatment for this simple write up. I am just that impressed with this product. Need I say more? :greg:

 

[Caleb]

very cool, I know what joints I'll be using in my 44

 

[Jeremy]

that is encouraging. i know what the joints cost but what did the rebuild kit cost you?

 

[mbryson]

How were the shafts? Did the play wallow the Warn shaft holes out any?

 

[waynehartwig]

that is encouraging. i know what the joints cost but what did the rebuild kit cost you?

x2
This was my thought as well....

 

[Greg]

Very cool, excellent write-up Shane!

 

[Herzog]

that is encouraging. i know what the joints cost but what did the rebuild kit cost you?

full rebuild, which includes new caps ran roughly $80. If you opt for the bushings only, I believe it was only about $15 or so.

 

[Herzog]

How were the shafts? Did the play wallow the Warn shaft holes out any?

The shafts are still perfect as well! The holes are perfect and is still a clean press fit for the new caps.

 

[waynehartwig]

full rebuild, which includes new caps ran roughly $80. If you opt for the bushings only, I believe it was only about $15 or so.

I probably already know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyway... $80 per joint, correct?

 

[Herzog]

I probably already know the answer to this, but I'll ask anyway... $80 per joint, correct?

Yes. Per joint.

I have no problem laying $80 for a joint after 3 years of use, especially when I know it's not going to leave me stranded on the trail. But if you noticed, the old caps were just fine as well. You could settle with new bushings and be done with it.

 

[James K]

full rebuild, which includes new caps ran roughly $80. If you opt for the bushings only, I believe it was only about $15 or so.

does he offer a service to send back your old caps and have them put new bushings in?

 

[waynehartwig]

Yes. Per joint.

I have no problem laying $80 for a joint after 3 years of use, especially when I know it's not going to leave me stranded on the trail. But if you noticed, the old caps were just fine as well. You could settle with new bushings and be done with it.

I completely agree! I wasn't even thinking it was an outrageous price. I was just thinking in my mind if going CTM would be worth it.... (from a financial standpoint)

 

[Herzog]

does he offer a service to send back your old caps and have them put new bushings in?

Yes, I believe so! If my memory serves me correctly, I think that was one of the options. Only problem with that is that you have to wait.

And, after dealing with the old caps, I'm not sure that it would very hard at all to remove the old bushings and reseat the new ones.

 

[James K]

Yes, I believe so! If my memory serves me correctly, I think that was one of the options. Only problem with that is that you have to wait.

And, after dealing with the old caps, I'm not sure that it would very hard at all to remove the old bushings and reseat the new ones.

you could send back your old ones now and then have them if ever the need arises.