Currie Johnny joint/LT rear problem

Orlyg1521

Orlyg1521

New member
I have had this rig for over a year. (2011 TE) The L rear Johnny joint has been a problem, the jam nut has come loose fairly frequently. It would cause a knocking noise as I accelerated from a stop.
3 days ago I felt a loud pop and the truck swerved and felt it get real squirley I found this 20150910_191742.jpg. Resulting in it basically sliding out of the lower control arm. The threads have worn down in the LCA.
One thought I had was to have it welded on since the LCA doesn't need to be adjusted.
The other was to replace the Johnny Joint if the threads in the LCA weren't too damaged

Thoughts?
 

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Hmm. I haven't experienced this and I've had mine for quite a while as well. I guess you could weld it on.
 
Mt

Going to talk to Mark on Monday and see what he says. If the threads in the LT lower arm aren't damaged then I'll probably just get a new Johnny Joint. If it is then see if welding might be the cheaper option.
 
You can do either.

If you have it set to the correct length, and don't [;an on making any changes, weld it and be done.

If you buy a new joint, it's going to keep coming loose again, especially with those hammered threads. If you go this route, red loctite will be your friend.
 
05Rrunner said:
I did the old double nut on mine
Click to expand...

Very confused by this entire thing. What would ever cause it to come loose. The LCA cant spin... due to the rear bushing design. The jam nut is just there to keep it from clocking slightly, not to stop backing out.

Also. I adjusted mine to stock length and there is no way another nut would fit. Mine have a few thread showing, but not many. I did use thread locker.

Is there a reason that people try to push the axle further back. I think the threads are just there as an installation method and maybe to adjust rear thrust angle if it is off. I just figured matching stock length was the best way to go. There are so many threads in there I can't imagine how this wouldd happen.

I would guess this problem was caused by cross threading or some machining problem on initial install.
 
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wfo9 said:
Very confused by this entire thing. What would ever cause it to come loose. The LCA cant spin... due to the rear busing design. The jam nut is just there to keep it from twisting.

Also. I adjusted mine to stock length and there is no way another nut would fit. Mine have a few thread showing, but not many.

Is there a reason that people try to push the axle further back. I think the threads are just there as an installation method and maybe to adjust rear thrust angle if it is off. I just figured matching stock length was the best way to go. There are so many threads in there I can't imagine how this wouldd happen.

I would guess this problem was caused by cross threading or something on initial install.
Click to expand...

Great questions , my truck is lifted and I have it adjusted fairly far out, which allows me plenty of room for the double nut. Before I went metal tech I had a style with the urethane bushing at each end and it would continually get loose. this time I decided to avoid that from happening by doing the double nut trick first. With the johnny joint it theoretically should not get loose but ?
ps with this current set up they have never loosened up.
 
Still not sure why you would want your axle pushed further back... Maybe a little better road manners... Never even considered it.
 
For the record, I am NOT trying to push my axle back. I'm trying to keep it at the same length. When the nut came loose several times it kept working forward and backwards as I started and stopped. This apparently has worn the threading down. Now axle is trying to force its way backwards and it popped the threads and moved back more than it was set to.
 
Orlyg1521 said:
For the record, I am NOT trying to push my axle back. I'm trying to keep it at the same length. When the nut came loose several times it kept working forward and backwards as I started and stopped. This apparently has worn the threading down. Now axle is trying to force its way backwards and it popped the threads and moved back more than it was set to.
Click to expand...
Right, I just meant very few threads should be showing if at stock length. See pic of mine at stock length.

The nut is just there to stop it from clocking and force the torsional load into the Johnny joint. It does nothing to stop it from lengthening... The threads inside the tube do that.
 

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wfo9 said:
Right, I just meant very few threads should be showing if at stock length. See pic of mine at stock length.

The nut is just there to stop it from clocking and force the torsional load into the Johnny joint. It does nothing to stop it from lengthening... The threads inside the tube do that.
Click to expand...
Ah, got it
 
On second thought. I guess the threads constantly clocking back and forth would eventually wear them down.

Now it all makes sense.
 
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I think a new joint would solve your problem. Just use some thread locker on the jam nut this time.
 
that size jam nut needs an enormous amount of torque to get it to seat and not move, thread locker doesnt need to be used if you get them torqued down tight
 
Well, I'm glad you posted this thread, Just went and checked and one of mine was slightly loose. And I have been chasing down some little intermittent noises.

That nut is huge (~2in), I don't have a good wrench that big. Had to use some channel locks. I need see if I can borrow a bigger adjustable wrench.
 
wfo9 said:
Well, I'm glad you posted this thread, Just went and checked and one of mine was slightly loose. And I have been chasing down some little intermittent noises.

That nut is huge (~2in), I don't have a good wrench that big. Had to use some channel locks. I need see if I can borrow a bigger adjustable wrench.
Click to expand...
8 inch pipe wrench
 
Or, just drill & tap a hole through one flat on the jam nut. Put a small brass disc in the hole and tighten the set screw.

Problem solved, and it retains full functionality without getting gummed up with Loctite.
 
Update

Reset the Johnny joint (JJ) to the right length with a ratchet strap yesterday, set the jam nut and when I released the strap the nut/JJ popped a few threads outwards. So I reset the jam nut to the that length.
This morning I had to slam the brakes to stop for a light and I heard a loud bang and a lady crossing the street was looking under my rig and said I had a "pipe" hanging underneath. The JJ had completely pulled out of the LCA. Luckily I had the tools to put it back together and drove carefully the rest of the day.

Tomorrow to Metal Tech
 
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