I hear about axle wrap occurring when you have too big of blocks in the rear. I have a 2006 4x4 with a 6" Fabtech lift and 35" Nitto Mud Grapplers. I have 5" blocks in the rear that replaced the factory 2" blocks. What exactly is axle wrap? I don't really notice anything unusual in my truck. What are the noticeable symptoms of axle wrap and does it cause any long term damage to anything?

 

It would be when your tires have too much traction and the twisting action of the rear end is more than the leaf springs can handle and it starts to bounce the tires. Taller blocks will act like a 'lever' and make it even worse.

You'll know it when/if it occurs!

I've had it occur to me in soft sand before and on wet pavement.

I added some overload springs and that stopped it from happening on the wet pavement, but I'll get it occasionally in soft sand still...

Mitch

 

Would it be when I'm going around a turn and I get a quick vibration. Feels like the tires spin or bounce for maybe half a second or less. I notice that about once a week when I'm turning on pavement going 15mph or so

 

I'm wondering the same thing. I have a procomp 6" on my 06 f150 with Nittos and never really noticed anything

 

If you are spinning the tires at all, it could be..

Sounds like the LS grabbing a bit around the corner too?

Mitch

 

I'm not really sure if the tires are spinning or not. It only happens once a week or so and it happens on dry pavement. It's not a big deal. If it is axle wrap, what effect would an add-a-leaf have on it? I'm planning on putting add-a-leafs on soon anyway, my back end is too low

 

That's more likely limited slip clutch chatter.

 

Anything that stiffens up the leafs would help for an 'axle wrap' situation IMO.

I think axle wrap will occur mostly when going straight and the tires have equal traction and if the tires break loose and the springs are weak, that's when you get the wheel hop (another term for it).

Ladder bars are added to keep this to a minimum as well. On really tall lifts, they use ladder bars too.

Mitch

 

It's not a big deal on mine yet. I was more curious than anything else

 

You should do something about it if it's clutch chatter - that's not good for the life of the diff. A fluid change with modifier wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

 

I had 4.56 gears put in a few thousand miles ago. Could there be a problem with them?

 

Here is a video of axle wrap. It's hard to describe.
It's when your axle twist up under acceleration more or less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhj6gq7K8Dk

 

If you have a factory limited slip and friction modifier wasn't added to the lube, that could cause it.

 

I'll need to ask the shop that put my gears in about that. If they didn't put it in, what kind do I need? I have a 2006 4x4 with 9.75 limited slip rear end. Does it need to be in the front or just the back?

 

I see. I'm sure mine isn't that bad