Breaking and Inspecting the Ram TRX Rear Axle: An Insider's Look"

[Wragth Motorsports]

As avid fans of the powerful Ram TRX truck, we were curious to see what goes on when one of its key components - the rear axle - fails. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to inspect a broken rear axle up close, thanks to a generous customer who provided us with their old differential.

Not only did we learn how the axle works, but we discovered a wealth of information about the various factors that can lead to its failure. One key take-away was how the truck applies and reduces power based on inputs from the ride height sensors. This is particularly important for those who use their TRX trucks to produce high horsepower, as the rear axle is subjected to greater stress and strain.

While we were initially concerned about the extent of the damage, we were pleased to find that it was not as bad as we anticipated. This allowed us to get a clear picture of what went wrong and how similar issues can be prevented in the future.

Based on our findings, we have already made some upgrades to the rear axle and including a rear sway bar and a different fifth shock in an effort to minimize wheel hop. In the meantime, we want to share our insights with you and provide a behind-the-scenes look at this important component.

Whether you're looking to maintain the performance of your Ram TRX or simply want to know more about the rear axle, this in-depth inspection is a must-see. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from our experience and take your TRX to the next level.

Did you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at a broken rear axle? If not, more photos can be found by clicking here. Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more in-depth inspections of your favorite vehicles.

 

[LDN]

Great insights! What do you think was the cause of the failure on this customers truck? Power vs. OEM?

 

[@JC]

Did you guys use the King axle shock to replace the factory one?

 

[Fifty]

It looks like a wheel hop induced shaft break.
Off roaders do this when jumping and are full throttle in the air with big tires. When the tire hits the ground at 200 mph and the ground speed is 90 mph the tire has to slow 110 mph in a millisecond and that twists and shatters the axle shaft.

Solution is getting off the throttle as you land.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

Great insights! What do you think was the cause of the failure on this customers truck? Power vs. OEM?

Thanks, the truck broke at the track on a prepped surface. Since radials were on backorder, we took it out on stock tires to get the customer some seat time on the new setup and were attempting to leave soft. The truck wheel hoped and it was done for.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

It looks like a wheel hop induced shaft break.
Off roaders do this when jumping and are full throttle in the air with big tires. When the tire hits the ground at 200 mph and the ground speed is 90 mph the tire has to slow 110 mph in a millisecond and that twists and shatters the axle shaft.

Solution is getting off the throttle as you land.

100% Agree. This platform is still new and we didn't think it was that advanced. When we looked at the data using with, we found out the truck uses the ride height sensor to apply and reduce power as it thinks it is airborne. Add an extra 340HP at the wheels and all-terrain tires, wheel hop and this is exactly what happened. This was a few months back so we definitely learned a ton since then. Pulling the fuse, using radials as these all terrains are worst than street tires, and 2nd gear leaves at this power to name a few. Currently, we installed some upgrades to address this in the future and working n solutions for the front axles. Once we got everything done we will do a follow-up post to share with the community.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

Did you guys use the King axle shock to replace the factory one?

Correct, and believe it or not, a Hellwig sway bar. Although not a direct fit for the TRX, we made it work with little effort. It's a night and day difference and the truck does not hop around as much on a prepped surface. Sadly this only addresses the rear and we are working on solutions for the front to hopefully bring a detailed write-up and parts list for those using the truck for everything is was not designed to do, like drag racing and high HP lol.

 

[OKC_TRX]

Correct, and believe it or not, a Hellwig sway bar. Although not a direct fit for the TRX, we made it work with little effort. It's a night and day difference and the truck does not hop around as much on a prepped surface. Sadly this only addresses the rear and we are working on solutions for the front to hopefully bring a detailed write-up and parts list for those using the truck for everything is was not designed to do, like drag racing and high HP lol.

I have an open email thread with Hellwig Sales Director on the 2022+ TRX model sway bar version/support since Q3 2023. See his email below and consider requesting/demanding support/product purchase upon release to advance the 22+ model support version release in Q1. Please refer/submit links to this particular thread as an FYI for why we feel the release of the 22+ version has logical market demand.

Vern Kaufman - vkaufman@hellwigproducts.com

 

[Fifty]

100% Agree. This platform is still new and we didn't think it was that advanced. When we looked at the data using with, we found out the truck uses the ride height sensor to apply and reduce power as it thinks it is airborne. Add an extra 340HP at the wheels and all-terrain tires, wheel hop and this is exactly what happened. This was a few months back so we definitely learned a ton since then. Pulling the fuse, using radials as these all terrains are worst than street tires, and 2nd gear leaves at this power to name a few. Currently, we installed some upgrades to address this in the future and working n solutions for the front axles. Once we got everything done we will do a follow-up post to share with the community.

I wish I was closer to you guys. I’m so far from trx shops…

 

[T-bone]

As avid fans of the powerful Ram TRX truck, we were curious to see what goes on when one of its key components - the rear axle - fails. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to inspect a broken rear axle up close, thanks to a generous customer who provided us with their old differential.

Not only did we learn how the axle works, but we discovered a wealth of information about the various factors that can lead to its failure. One key take-away was how the truck applies and reduces power based on inputs from the ride height sensors. This is particularly important for those who use their TRX trucks to produce high horsepower, as the rear axle is subjected to greater stress and strain.

While we were initially concerned about the extent of the damage, we were pleased to find that it was not as bad as we anticipated. This allowed us to get a clear picture of what went wrong and how similar issues can be prevented in the future.

Based on our findings, we have already made some upgrades to the rear axle and including a rear sway bar and a different fifth shock in an effort to minimize wheel hop. In the meantime, we want to share our insights with you and provide a behind-the-scenes look at this important component.

Whether you're looking to maintain the performance of your Ram TRX or simply want to know more about the rear axle, this in-depth inspection is a must-see. Don't miss out on the chance to learn from our experience and take your TRX to the next level.

View attachment 86555View attachment 86556View attachment 86557View attachment 86558View attachment 86559

Did you enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at a broken rear axle? If not, more photos can be found by clicking here. Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more in-depth inspections of your favorite vehicles.

Dang! At least the shafts looks beef. In the offroad world the "good" OEM dana 60's use 35 spline 1.5 inch shafts. Curious the specs on the TRX. It looks especially thick were it broke.

 

[Fifty]

The pic on the google drive looks like a 36 spline count. Is that the inside count?

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

I have an open email thread with Hellwig Sales Director on the 2022+ TRX model sway bar version/support since Q3 2023. See his email below and consider requesting/demanding support/product purchase upon release to advance the 22+ model support version release in Q1. Please refer/submit links to this particular thread as an FYI for why we feel the release of the 22+ version has logical market demand.

Vern Kaufman - vkaufman@hellwigproducts.com

It is very easy to incorporate tbh, drill and tap, get it centered and adjust the end links to your preference. Maybe 2-3 hours tops. Let me know and I'll put a parts list together. Considering this is the 3rd 4th person, it's worth a write up. Let us dig through some archives and see what we can put together.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

The pic on the google drive looks like a 36 spline count. Is that the inside count?

Correct

 

[@JC]

Correct, and believe it or not, a Hellwig sway bar. Although not a direct fit for the TRX, we made it work with little effort. It's a night and day difference and the truck does not hop around as much on a prepped surface. Sadly this only addresses the rear and we are working on solutions for the front to hopefully bring a detailed write-up and parts list for those using the truck for everything is was not designed to do, like drag racing and high HP lol.

So would you say that King axle shock is a good upgrade for a normal TRX? did you do any adjustments to it or just install it as it came? Been trying to find anyone who's installed one but there don't seem to be many running around. Seems like a fairly inexpensive upgrade but not sure if it would make any difference in normal driving.

 

[slivoman]

Excellent post and appreciate the info you and your shop are posting, this truly is one of the better forums out there.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

Excellent post and appreciate the info you and your shop are posting, this truly is one of the better forums out there.

Of course, we do have a separate forum where we go in depth a bit more, but to keep things simple and not have us spamming, these short and quick ones here should be plenty. Although we are a business, our goal is to bring the community together through cars, learning, and sharing anything relevant (to an extent) to what we find.

 

[84 Sheepdog]

Great write-up, not surprised we're seeing some failures on these even though the OEM rear axle is pretty stout. I've broken stock alloy Dana 60/70 shafts in Jeeps with 1/4 the HP of a stock TRX. We replaced those with 4340 and never broke one of those even with lots of abuse (bouncing off ledges, jumping them, etc). Does anyone make a 4340 or 300m axle shaft for these yet?

 

[SC_Titan]

Is the King TRX 5th shock adjustable? If not we could figure out the compressed and extended lengths and find something that we could stiffen up the valving for track days and soften for daily driving?

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

Great write-up, not surprised we're seeing some failures on these even though the OEM rear axle is pretty stout. I've broken stock alloy Dana 60/70 shafts in Jeeps with 1/4 the HP of a stock TRX. We replaced those with 4340 and never broke one of those even with lots of abuse (bouncing off ledges, jumping them, etc). Does anyone make a 4340 or 300m axle shaft for these yet?

Thank you, we are working with a few manufacturers to develop axles based on what we found. It is still a way out but in the works. 4340 was brought up so it's not off the table. Once we have more context into lead time, pricing, etc we will reach bak out. For now, it is still in the development phase followed by testing and validation. We would like to do the front and rear axles so it will take a minute.

 

[Wragth Motorsports]

Is the King TRX 5th shock adjustable? If not we could figure out the compressed and extended lengths and find something that we could stiffen up the valving for track days and soften for daily driving?

It is but it will vary by surface, tire compound, and power. For now everything is neutral, we have been doing some street testing and plan to get out on track soon once we find a happy medium. This is a new space for us as many aren't breaking the TRX, so we are soaking it all in and making changes, as we learn.