Birf, start up rattle Ih8 newbie

[ogsuv]

I can't believe I just found this site!!! I bought my 95, four years ago, and searched for any sites with fj80 info, and found nothing, just eventually gave up. Well I will probably turn 200k next month, and it's time to do some work on it. I have read a lot of the discussions on the ol' birfs, and will continue reading, but my general question was... I get clicking on tight turns. Does this mean I need new seals to keep grease in, or are there parts I will need to replace also? Originally I was just going to replace the seals ($200 from toyota) but reading some of the discussions, I should do more than that? I might add I have grease spitting out all over..........

Also, my start up rattle has been driving me nuts for 50,000 miles, glad to see there are some possible fixes to try and again, can't believe I didn't find this site sooner!

I'll keep reading.......lots to learn.

Thanks in advance,

Scott Porterfield
95 LC
87 Grand National

Sun Prairie, WI

 

[Romer]

Scott,
Welcome. I just did a front axle rebuild on my rig and it wasn't to bad. If you go to the vendors page and look for the "getting hold of Cruiser Dan" link, you can get all OEM parts in a box for this at a godd discount. He works for A Toyota Dealership in NM.

The Factory Service Manual was pretty straight forward in doing mine. The things it helps to have someone there for are to show you how to pack bearings the first time and just to look things over. On the Tech links page, you will find several write-ups. In addition, using the search feature above and selecting the 80's forum will give you lots more information.

Once you are in there, you might as well replace all the seals, you have done all the hard work getting to the birf and removing it. I also took the opportunity to replace my Rotors and brake pads.

When your done reading, post your questions and someone will help you out.

Again, welcome!

Ken

 

[ogsuv]

thanks Ken, all good info to know. I will look Dan up soon for those parts. All I have is the generic fix it manual, pretty good for basic things, but I think this project is a little more advanced. Is this info from the service manual posted somewhere? or could someone photocopy that section for me?

thanks again,

Scott

 

[Junk]

ogsuv,
Welcome to the forum Scott. Well, if it took you 4 years to find the site, we won't expect much from you searching the old archives

The FSM will come in handy for a lot more than just this. There are some diagrams in the archives (or at least were), but the manual will save you a lot of money down the road. It's also good to keep in the truck just in case you get stuck somewhere and are way over your head.

BTW, looks like you may be about 2 hrs away from Woody, so you're in bad company

 

[landtank]

Check out this link https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=19537&highlight=birfield . This is as bad as it gets as far as mess goes. He had no clicking but still needed parts. I'd plan on having the truck down for a week. Once you have it apart I'm sure you'll need parts that are not included with the rebuild kit, especially if you want that clicking to stop.

 

[Romer]

It took me 6 hours to tear it down completely and I had never done it before. I had friends over to help put it back together and doing both sides with brakes was about 3 to 3.5 hours. So a long weekend would work.

When you get to a spot you are not sure, take a break and come post your question. Buy the FSM. I bought mine from a guy on eBay for $75 and it is the genuine FSM. Here is his e-mail address:
thebestmanuals4u@hotmail.com

 

[ogsuv]

thanks!

Thanks for all the info guys. I especially like the link to the pictures, I am sure mine will look similar. I would like to buy everything I need up front, depending on the price, is that a good idea, or wait to get it apart?
I could go without the beast it for a long weekend, but that's about it.

So what is it that causes the clicking?

It is driving me crazy, I will replace whatever it takes, at any cost.

I am confident in the removal and reinstall of everything (I have done my brakes many times in the last 75k) just not sure I will know what parts are salvageale or not?

I will continue reading the archives... A parts list would be great if anybody had suggestions.

Thanks.

(for anyone that wants to help )

 

[Rookie2]

So what is it that causes the clicking?

It is driving me crazy, I will replace whatever it takes, at any cost.

Typically worn grooves in the birfield cavity, due to lack of proper lubrication. Once the inner axle seal lets loose and you start to get a mixture of diff. fluid and grease in the knuckle housing, it eventually washes the grease out of the inner birf. This mixture can't not sustain the wear and next stop is clickity-click. To bad you didn't find this site sooner, cause new birfs is expensive.

You don't need a parts list. Get with C-dan and tell him you're going to do the front axle service, and he'll get you everything you need and you won't be dissapointed with his prices on OEM parts. You can save some dollars on the wheel bearings if you get them through Autozone. Do a search for Timkin wheel bearing to get the part numbers. Get your FSM from C-dan too, for cheaper than mentioned above. Dan's more than the cheap parts guy. He's a contributing member here and it's rumored that he knows a thing or two about these rigs... you'll get what you need to do the job.

and welcome, you just fell into a goldmine of information.


Rookie2

 

[ogsuv]

Well I guess that's not great news, but I am not all that surprised. I took it to the dealer a few months ago to have the wheels balanced and asked for an estimate on the "clicking". They gave me a quote for the seals only of $900, yeah right. The job is a little intimidating, but I plan on reading everything I can here first, and per everyone's suggestion, I have already contacted cruiserdan.

Again, thanks to all for the good info and help!

 

[Lockd97]

ogsuv,
Don't worry about the imtimidation. The operation is lengthy but straight forward and if you do it step by step you will have no trouble at all. With the writeups and a FSM you will have no problems.

Good Luck!!!!