Off Roading Central Axle Disconnect ???

[tarussell]

I have never been a fan of any C. A. D. system, but now that I have been using a truck with it I am starting to think that it is pretty convenient. I still wonder about the durability of it but so far it has been very nice to use and operate.

My question is this; Does the C. A. D. system on our trucks give any sign of trouble to come when it is getting worn out. Example loud clunking or not engaging instantly. I have a few fellow CTD 4X4 owners who have a few miles on there trucks and most all of theirs are making noises when four wheel drive is engaged. I am trying to tell them that we need to look into the front end to replace the couplers on the slide axle or something, but they insist that that is normal and don't worry about it. The only noise that comes from my truck is a slight clunk or grind from the syncro's in the transfer case and that is normal. I just thought that some of Ya'll that have had maintinance issues with the C. A. D. system could share some of the tell tell signs of when things get worn out. Thanks in advance, Thomas

 

[Groover]

Kinda quiet in here!



I'll give it a shot. I don't know of any problems with the cad itself. The vaccuum pump, hoses, valves and the actuator have all had failures causing no 4 wheel drive. I think the cad itself is reliable enough. Remember that if you hammer on anything long enough it will break.

 

[tarussell]

Groover, Thanks for responding ! I agree about pounding on equipment and it will eventually fail. Maybe my friend's truck's have been beaten harder than they say causing the noises.



I am interested in the breakdowns of the vacum system. What kind of mileage or time does it usually take to wear these parts out. I would rather have parts on hand if a failure does occur,but I don't want to pick up used parts out of the wrecking yard if they all fail at relatively low miles.

If ANYONE has any thoughts on this please share some info.

Thanks in advance, Thomas

 

[wcjp]

They've been using the CAD on the Jeeps for sometime now. The Jeep magazines agree they're not problematic. It is agreed that the CAD is not as strong as a solid axle. I've had my Jeep apart a few times for various things. Very simple system to deal with.

 

[tarussell]

DC dropped the C. A. D. on the Jeep TJ's so I wondered if they were having warranty issues. It's good to hear that you have had good luck w/ the system. I don't know what I will do w/ mine but so far it has not given any problems. If I do start to not trust the C. A. D. system I will change to a Jan. 2002 on up front end w/ no C. A. D. on it. Thanks for your input, Thomas

 

[jrobinson2]

When I was under my truck servicing it last time I found one of the hard plastic vacume lines broken, now I keep a piece of vacume hose in my box just in case one breaks.



Jared