96' LC w/front lockers - birfield repack?

[txlandc]

I've got a stock 96 w/approx. 146K miles and front/rear factory lockers. I've seen tons of writeups on the birf job and also have the DVD but nothing really addressing the state of the front lockers during the process. It is my understanding that the front lockers need to be locked prior to beginning the birfield disassembly. Is this correct? FSM states to lock them prior to removal of the front differential but I did not see it referenced elsewhere.

Question 1.) Why does the front diff need to be locked?

Question 2.) If the front diff is locked should I expect a problem trying to rotate the flat side up on the birf prior to removal?

Question 3.) Should I expect any added difficulties with the process due to having front lockers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Question 1.) Why does the front diff need to be locked?

Answer 1.) Because that is the way all the cool kids do it.

Question 2.) If the front diff is locked should I expect a problem trying to rotate the flat side up on the birf prior to removal?

Answer 2.) No problems with locked front axles or rotating. Just lock em' up and put it in neutural so you can spin the tire on the opposite side to line axle up.

Question 3.) Should I expect any added difficulties with the process due to having front lockers?

Answer 3.) No more difficult than a rig without lockers. Don't make any plans for the day you deide to break them down and re-pack. It takes a while to do the job.

 

[RavenTai]

1, see below
2. no
3. no

I know in the rear if it is not locked when you pull the short side shaft the shift fork and lock can droop down rotating about the "shift lock fork shaft" when not supported by the axle shaft. when it droops down you cannot install the axle shaft, requiring some work to get it right again. I would think the same could happen in the front but I am not sure.

I locked mine, no troubles inserting the short side. The locker will not prevent rotation until the short side shaft engages the second female spline of the side gear, by then you are well past the tight spot on the birf

Even after you are engaged in both splines you can still pop the t-case in neutral (make sure parking brake is on and rear tires are blocked) and rotate the front shafts.