Axle problems

[40Flipper]

Having some axle issues and I have very little mechanical skills.


1983 HJ47 with 40 series Disc axle on the front and full floater on the rear. Lockrite lunchbox locker up front, no locker in rear.

The truck is in neutral and I can't push it. It rolls 6 inches then seems to catch on something. If I push harder it goes past this sticking point with that thump and looks like the truck bumps up a little bit . It's definitely not the transmission or transfer case. When I start it I can drive it forward and reverse and all the linkages are fine.

In 2wd, the front driveshaft is free and the hubs are unlocked. When I slow it down to a halt in 2wd going about 2 mph, there is a crunching and bucking sound and it lurches a bit. Sounds horrible. Sound seems to be coming form the front

I'm stumped. Hoping my axles aren't F-ed

 

[Poser]

Drain the gear oil in the front and rear differential...

Post up what you find.

 

[mudnyreye]

Sounds like a sticky caliper?

 

[40Flipper]

brakes are perfect from what I see but I'll double check. I would imagine there would be some squealing or pull if that was the case

 

[cruiserbrett]

maybe its time to put it on jackstands and disconnect the driveshafts?

That will help rule out sound carrying through the parts, and allow you to individually turn each part.

 

[Mr. Toad]

Does the sound come from one side or the other? I.e., does it sound like it's at the wheel?

 

[40Flipper]

Got it up on jack stands. Seems to be a lot of play in the front drive shaft. There is a clacking sound coming from the center diff and from the right side tire. When I turned the left side tire I only got the clacking sound from the center. The play in the driveshaft is significant in my opinion. perhaps a 1/8 turn?

Gotta run out and get a socket so I can drain the diff. Wondering if it leaked out or if it is low??

 

[40Flipper]

Drained the diff fluid and it was green and smelled like garlic and onions. no chunks of metal from what I could tell. nasty looking though.

UPDATE: Pulled the hub off and seems ok. I was thinking it was the hub. Gonna get new ones anyway.

Made noise only when the front right hub was locked. I'm guessing that means it's the hub but you never know. There were no broken pieces inside the hub and there was plenty of grease.

Any thoughts??

 

[Poser]

Grab the right front wheel at the top and shake it/the truck....well.


What happens?

 

[40Flipper]

Tried that. it's rock solid with no wiggle in any direction.

I pulled the hub and the spindle didn't turn with the truck in 4WD so the longfields aren't broken.