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Bent Axle or Blown Ball Joints/ Hub Bearing?

nbennettksu

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I have a Spicer Ultimate Dana 44 AdvanTek; its the same company that makes the OE dana 44 but its beefed up strength for wheeling. Uses all the same original points for suspension and steering.
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tj3089

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I have a Spicer Ultimate Dana 44 AdvanTek; its the same company that makes the OE dana 44 but its beefed up strength for wheeling. Uses all the same original points for suspension and steering.
What size tires are you running on it?
 

Zachanadandy

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I'd go with the HD60 for the added strength and ability to go to 40s without worry (I know currie doesn't recommend 40s with OE unit bearings but I wouldn't worry about it). A d44 that you already broke to a beefed up 44 seems like a lateral move with an upgrade price tag.
 

Gregj

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If I plan on staying with 37s for a while, ould it be better to go with an ultimate dana 44 from Currie or the hd60 that runs stock steering and brake components?

I'm leaning towards the HD60 since it is not much more. Then I can upgrade the steering later.

https://www.currie4x4.com/currie-hd60-jeep-gladiator-front-axle-assembly
ouch, that axle is $8k and you would have to regear the rear axle as it is only available with 4.56 and up gears. If it were me I would look for a take out axle or an empty housing and swap parts over with a master gear install kit. Save for tons when you are ready.
Gregj
 

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Zachanadandy

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ouch, that axle is $8k and you would have to regear the rear axle as it is only available with 4.56 and up gears. If it were me I would look for a take out axle or an empty housing and swap parts over with a master gear install kit. Save for tons when you are ready.
Gregj
Not to argue, but the fad is a known weak point, especially under the heavy diesel. But another throw away axle and do tons later seems like the worst possible idea. At a minimum I'd go for one of the upgraded 44s with no fad.
 

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Not to argue, but the fad is a known weak point, especially under the heavy diesel. But another throw away axle and do tons later seems like the worst possible idea. At a minimum I'd go for one of the upgraded 44s with no fad.
Agree the FAD housing is an issue but $8k to start the swap that will probably creep up from there can be a big chunk of change for some people, me included, to put down. Maybe an insurance claim could help defray the cost. Teraflex has an upgraded housing for $3600 as a less expensive option.
Gregj
 

nbennettksu

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No fad on the AdvanTek 🤭

however, I wheeled extensively with the stock narrow axle, fad, d 44 that I added truss and lockers to… on 40s. Wheeled before the truss as well.
 
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ouch, that axle is $8k and you would have to regear the rear axle as it is only available with 4.56 and up gears. If it were me I would look for a take out axle or an empty housing and swap parts over with a master gear install kit. Save for tons when you are ready.
Gregj
Hey Greg! I hope you are doing well buddy. I currently have 4.56 gears in my axles, so I would just pick up the Currie 44 or 60 with the 4.56 gears and elocker. I am just not sure how much to invest.
 
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I'd go with the HD60 for the added strength and ability to go to 40s without worry (I know currie doesn't recommend 40s with OE unit bearings but I wouldn't worry about it). A d44 that you already broke to a beefed up 44 seems like a lateral move with an upgrade price tag.
I really was hoping to find a shop that would repair and truss my axle before a full on crate axle swap. Trust me, funds are tight after our trip to Disney for my kiddo's 2nd birthday. I still may try to contact Exodus 4x4 to see if they are willing to do it because they are only 8 hours from me.

The steering should be a direct swap along with the brakes, knuckles and everything else? I think I read somewhere that I have to get an additional track bar mount for the 60 and a new driveshaft as well since it uses 1350 u joints. That adds up quick and makes the 60 swap cost closer to $10k vs the $6500 shipped to my door price of the currie 44 that is a direct swap.

Honestly, I don't want to put tons on the JT until I get another HD truck to haul it around. For now 37's get me around just fine. I still tow my toy hauler and will eventually turn my 05 TJ into a trailer queen on tons with a v8.
 

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I really was hoping to find a shop that would repair and truss my axle before a full on crate axle swap. Trust me, funds are tight after our trip to Disney for my kiddo's 2nd birthday. I still may try to contact Exodus 4x4 to see if they are willing to do it because they are only 8 hours from me.

The steering should be a direct swap along with the brakes, knuckles and everything else? I think I read somewhere that I have to get an additional track bar mount for the 60 and a new driveshaft as well since it uses 1350 u joints. That adds up quick and makes the 60 swap cost closer to $10k vs the $6500 shipped to my door price of the currie 44 that is a direct swap.

Honestly, I don't want to put tons on the JT until I get another HD truck to haul it around. For now 37's get me around just fine. I still tow my toy hauler and will eventually turn my 05 TJ into a trailer queen on tons with a v8.
I get the cost is higher, but 1 is a legitimate upgrade over stock and the other is no better than a trussed stock axle in my opinion. I couldn't spend that kind of money for a slight upgrade. I'd rather find a stock axle for $1k-2k and have it trussed before I put it in than spend $6500... on a Dana44.
 
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I get the cost is higher, but 1 is a legitimate upgrade over stock and the other is no better than a trussed stock axle in my opinion. I couldn't spend that kind of money for a slight upgrade. I'd rather find a stock axle for $1k-2k and have it trussed before I put it in than spend $6500... on a Dana44.
Yeah I hear ya, I am keeping my eye out for some rubicon take off axles in my area. I'd still have to regear the front for 4.56 (hopefully with my Revolution Gears that are just over a year old). That would bring the cost up to about half the cost of the ultimate 44 and I would still have to truss it and get stronger shafts. At that point you are better off with a brand new crate axle with thicker axle tubes, chromoly shafts, no FAD to worry about and stronger inner knuckles.

I am hoping @Northridge4x4 runs another black friday sale similar to last year, where the Currie axles were 15% off. That would bring the ultimate 44 down to $5200. Not too bad in my opinion, but I am still thinking of the 60 front for the reasons you mentioned.

Jeep Gladiator Bent Axle or Blown Ball Joints/ Hub Bearing? Screenshot 2025-11-10 at 11.44.49 PM
 
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brsnow2585

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If you're under 60K miles I'd let the dealership take a crack at it. I blew out a U-joint in the front a couple months ago, was over the general warranty but they covered it and all the collateral damage under the 60k powertrain warranty(since it was a powertrain part that caused the collateral).
 

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I'm assuming these cracks and gaps shouldn't be there?

PXL_20251103_184230298.PORTRAIT.webp


PXL_20251103_184215881.PORTRAIT.webp


PXL_20251103_184317330.PORTRAIT.webp
Third picture of say is the indicator. Could be worse. Out of all the things that could break on my Jeep, I’d be happy to be able to reuse all the axle components.
 

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What would be the best course of action? I currently messaged my friend that works at a shop to see if they can straighten it and truss it out. I'll also make an appointment at the dealership to see how much it would cost to repair it or if it's covered under warranty, which I doubt.

1 ton time? It only took me 20k miles to break these 😂
I’d say it’s bad luck. Lots of us are running stock housings with way more miles and heavy use cases. Sucks though. Sorry.
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