Birf & knuckle pics, question

[pound3151]

I am in the middle of a birfield repack and wanted a few educated opinions on my birfields and knuckle bearing cage. The birf has some wear to it where the knuckle balls were rubbing, but otherwise it's in good shape. The knuckle cage also has some pretty good wear marks which concern me more, but I think will be ok. The bearing balls are in good shape. Here are a few pics, any opinions will be appreciated. Thanks..Also, does anyone know where I can get a bucket of mobile one or redline gear oil in NE PA? So far I've only been able to find the mobile1 in individual quarts.

Brad

https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1794&stc=1
https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1798&stc=1
https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1799&stc=1

 

[IdahoDoug]

From the pics, I don't see anything that looks like failure issues, though it looks like you've got chips missing from the cage where the circular ball wear pattern is - true? You should swap the birfs side to side so you're wearing them in the opposite direction and spots. How many miles and what was the service history, and what condition/level did you find the grease in when you opened it up?

Also, do you have a picture of the star center piece wear?

DougM

 

[pound3151]

Doug, the center piece (star) is in pretty good shape. The grease was refilled a few months back through the hole in the top of the knuckle when brake discs were replaced and it looked ok, no mixing of the diff oil and grease. Supposedly it has a good history with regular maintenance, I bought it with 105,000 and it now has 135,000. A doctor owned it and drove from pa to nj shore quite a bit. I do plan on flipping the birfs, hopefully that will help with the clicking. I do have small chips missing from the cage where the ball wear pattern is, that is what concerned me, but they don't look too bad. Thanks -- Brad

 

[cruiserdan]

Where they making any noise?


That is the main clue. Noisy= toast. Quiet=

 

[IdahoDoug]

Brad,

I assume you're replacing the inner axle seal, as well as the outer seals and all the other gaskets and seals? Filling with grease via the top hole doesn't get the birfs refilled very well, but your repack will.

DougM

 

[Tooth Fairy]

...hopefully that will help with the clicking...

That is the main clue. Noisy= toast. Quiet=

They look almost as bad as mine and I had a lot of clicking.