Getting ready for front axle rebuild... finally (1 Viewer)

[Driley]

Sold the BMW so I am finally going to rebuild the front axle (it needed it when I purchased her 4 years ago). I have the "package" from CDan priced out and will be ordering it soon. I will be replacing all bearings and going with the 100 series pads.

I have been reading about the Marlin Crawler Inner Oil Seal and started to wonder if there is any other parts that have a new and improved replacement.

I have the FSM, DVD and most of the tools already. I plan to take my time and learn as I go.

Any new advice that is not already covered in the FAQs would be much appreciated.

Also, if there are any LC folks in the Bend, OR area that want to come by and give a hand or just laugh at my lack of knowledge, feel free to contact me.

Riley

 

[ranma21]

Sold the BMW so I am finally going to rebuild the front axle (it needed it when I purchased her 4 years ago). I have the "package" from CDan priced out and will be ordering it soon. I will be replacing all bearings and going with the 100 series pads.

I have been reading about the Marlin Crawler Inner Oil Seal and started to wonder if there is any other parts that have a new and improved replacement.

I have the FSM, DVD and most of the tools already. I plan to take my time and learn as I go.

Any new advice that is not already covered in the FAQs would be much appreciated.

Also, if there are any LC folks in the Bend, OR area that want to come by and give a hand or just laugh at my lack of knowledge, feel free to contact me.

Riley

Enjoy your rebuild and take your time. Make sure you have plenty of shop towel, at least 4 bottles of brake part cleaner, a large piece of plastic film ( you can get it from homedepot) to lay under the axles to catch dirt and grease. Assume you have all the required tools and parts, make sure you power or pressure wash the axle to make things easier when you have it on the stand. Replace your brake rotor and pad will be a god idea at this point too. I have not replace the spindle bushing, I think it is a good idea to do that too but I believe not many do it. I would have done it if I knew it before I finish my rebuilt. You can actually replace the newer spindle that has a bearing in it too, I know someone here did it I can't remember who.

 

[UCBerzerkeley]

haha, I too switched from a white 735i (1989) to a '95 FZJ80! just thought i'd share that

 

[kennyfj40]

I used the Marlin seals when I did my rebuild and used Slees install tool. They are much better than stock. One thing I did to help control the mess was use one of the large tin foil containers like you cook a turkey in to catch all the grease and junk under the knuckles. The FAQ's did a great job of how to do the rebuild step by step. Me and a buddy did the rebuild in about 8 hours which included swapping the birfs.

 

[ThePookieBear]

Probably common sense, but make sure when you take off the different wipers and seals and stuff, that the new ones go on with the same side facing in or out. Some are different on one side than the other. Good luck sir.

 

[Jim_Phillips]

I have the FSM, DVD and most of the tools already. I plan to take my time and learn as I go.

Which DVD is this?

My advice is to take your time. Don't be in a rush and follow the instructions. Take care prising out the ABS sensor (I cracked mine) There's help here if you need it

Cheers, Jim

 

[96r50]

This DVD. I have a copy of it and watched it a number of times before my first rebuild just to understand what the whole project looked like. A really good purchase for a front axle first timer!

As far as new parts, I'd get a set of the newer lower knuckle studs (4 per side). They have a Torx head on them so they can be properly torqued into the knuckle, which helps avoid having the nuts and studs come loose on you later on. See any of the "check your nutz" threads for some pictures about why this is a good idea.

Other than that, take your time, enjoy the experience and relish the fact that you're saving yourself a bunch of money by doing it yourself!

 

[Sanchez]

Make sure you have all the parts in before you start, cause you can be a sitting duck like me. I started the teardown before ordering the parts and almost no one had parts. I did this so that I could see if I was going to need bearings and not have to place two difrent orders. In the end it took a call to CDAN and marlin crawler to piece my kit. No dought the seals from Marlin are very good quality.

my $0.02

-Juan

 

[wxm]

Hi, Driley, What is the mileage on the clock? Mine has 92K, not sure I should get it done now or wait a year or two. Mine is not daily drive, I don't drive it that much.

 

[Driley]

Sorry for the wait for replies, I have been away from the computer.

That is the DVD that I ordered about 2 years ago. I have yet to watch it, but plan to at least a few times.

So, I will subtract the inner seal from the CDan list and order from Slee (I need to get the 54mm socket from them also). Does CDan have the new and improved lower knuckle studs? I did not find a Slee install tool on their website. Does it come with the seal?

The LC has 212,000 miles on her.

I gave away the BMW for $2,200.00. The used market sucks right now and decided a bird in hand...

I plan to ride my bicycle to work for the week I am rebuilding the axle. I can work on it during the day at the office (we have a heated warehouse). I have my Blackberry for my calls and e-mails, so I might even make money trucking while I work on the axle. I also have access to a parts washer and bead blaster for any hard to clean parts. I am not swapping sides (no clicking).

Thanks again for all of the replies! If there is anything else someone remembers, please chime in. I plan to take my time and refer to the website often.

Riley

P.S. Mods, I let my star expire but will be sending money by paypal soon. Sorry for the delay.

 

[NLXTACY]

Forgot about the DVD, just ordered it.

 

[Driley]

Forgot about the DVD, just ordered it.

Pardon?

edit: This thread reminded you to order the DVD. I understand now.

 

[Cruiser804]

Either invest in a set of coveralls or wear something you never what to wear again like your Obama Hope and Change shirt.

 

[wearsabrowncoat]

your Obama Hope and Change shirt.

Afterwords you can mail it back and tell him to keep the change.

 

[Driley]

Please, no political opinions about my axle rebuild. I would like to get this done without a deficit.

Riley

 

[kennyfj40]

Slee sales the seal install tool, but it does not come with the seal. It is about 13 bucks and if you do not see it on the website just ask when you call them to order.

 

[Jason YY]

This may be bad advice, However prior to rebuilding my front end on the mini truck. I sprayed the knuckles down with easyoff oven cleaner. (I actually used the cheap stuff) One can on each side, to remove the majority of the debris prior to digging into the rebuild.

I ordered the "kit" from Cdan the other day, will be doing the kuckles here shortly myself. This time I have a appointment to have the engine compatment steam cleaned. The quote was 69.99 and they will steam clean the knuckles also. ( I will probally shoot some oven cleaner on there first)

The cleaner it is when you start the easier the whole job will be.

 

[wxm]

I need to do the shopping myself, and found both seal and install tool here: Marlin Crawler, Inc.. Are these the same seal/tool that you guys were talking about?

 

[Driley]

Slee sales the seal install tool, but it does not come with the seal. It is about 13 bucks and if you do not see it on the website just ask when you call them to order.

I found that tool on Marlin's website after asking the question.

Thanks for the info! I will just ask for it when I order the seal.

Riley

 

[Driley]

This may be bad advice, However prior to rebuilding my front end on the mini truck. I sprayed the knuckles down with easyoff oven cleaner. (I actually used the cheap stuff) One can on each side, to remove the majority of the debris prior to digging into the rebuild.

I ordered the "kit" from Cdan the other day, will be doing the kuckles here shortly myself. This time I have a appointment to have the engine compatment steam cleaned. The quote was 69.99 and they will steam clean the knuckles also. ( I will probally shoot some oven cleaner on there first)

The cleaner it is when you start the easier the whole job will be.

I have been scrubbing and cleaning the axle at every brake pad replacement for the last 4 years so my knuckles are pretty clean.

Riley