Birfield clicking...

[Hayes]

Yeah, I've read several threads.
I realize that my birfields are probably wearing out, but I'd like some current feedback from you folks.

Symptoms:

Definite clicking when backing uphill with the wheels turned to lock, or almost locked, left and right.
No clicking on forward acceleration under any conditions that I could find in my neigborhood.

I did a full front axle service about 30k ago, including wheel and knuckle bearings, wipers, seals, and the obvious repack. Did not swap birfs. Filled the knuckles 3/4 full with moly. Haven't touched the knuckles since, but I haven't noticed noticed any significant grease in my front diff at the couple changes I've done since.

Questions:

How long would be reasonable to continue with these symptoms?

Would it be worth it to swap birfs left to right?

We're heading out for a 5-day trip with easy wheeling in under two weeks, any concerns? I DO have a working CDL switch installed.

If my birfs are ultimately on the way out, how long do you think I should wait before finding a new set?

My 80 is 95% mall cruiser, 5% moderate wheeling and family camping wagon.


Thanks

Hayes

 

[zipastro]

Click click click...................
Mine started clicking at 130K around corners when accelerating. I did a complete front axle job and as expected it still clicks. Some will say CHANGE IT NOW!!!!!! others will say don't bother it can last a 100K plus miles with light clicking and be fine. I plan to RPL mine with some after market ebay longfields for $300 pair instead of the $1000 oem's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYO...33729QQitemZ7995742247QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

I will still probably wait another 25K miles, still got grease stains in my garage from the last birf job.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Hayes.
I got mine rebuilt when I first bought it at CV Axle Express in SLC for $159.95 each....I dont know IF that is a good price or not but they do have a warranty on thier work.
I would do it sooner than later, Better to have a few stressfull days before a trip rather than durring.
Good luck!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

We've got an 80 w/ newfields ( that have clicked from the day I installed them, ie: mistake) that I replaced at 210,000 because of clicking and an LX450 with factory birf's that I serviced at 115K and they have never clicked and it's now got 200K on it too.

You're on the right path with Long's, but, I would also keep your cores/old set so that you have some spares. Even if they do click they'll still get you off the trail.

B

 

[medtro]

................. I plan to RPL mine with some after market ebay longfields for $300 pair instead of the $1000 oem's.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYO...33729QQitemZ7995742247QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

Those are not longfield.

Longfiled here

 

[IdahoDoug]

Bummer with Longfields is you lose your ABS for the DD and family hauler duties. They come without the ABS ring on the birfield, though I understand a good shop can remove the one from the OEM and weld it onto the Longfield. Unless something has changed with the Longs, I understand this can be done.

DougM

 

[-Spike-]

Press on, not weld on. Wouldn't even have to be a 'good' shop, it's a pretty easy operation that I plan to do myself when I need the Longs.

-Spike

 

[IdahoDoug]

Do you have to stake them, or just press fit them?

DougM

 

[-Spike-]

I only know what I've read here in this forum, on the Longfield site, and perhaps on Pirate. Press off, press on. I suppose you might have to stake them if they don't fit quite tight enough. There's no stress on the ring other than centrifical force, so the fit probably isn't critical.

-Spike

 

[zipastro]

Those are not longfield.

Longfiled here

OOps my mistake...............

The ebay economizer option is a -Newfield- birf

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

I finally replaced my birfields on my 92 at 250 K. They have been clicking for a long time. I purchased them through JT outfitters-I believe they are the same ones found on ebay for $100 less each.
Now with new seals, bearings, birfields, grease and gear oil-NO CLICKING. (Drives and sounds like a new one now) It also helped eliminate some of the "clunking" sound as well. Good luck it took me about 16 hours.

 

[CruisinGA]

been clicking for 15k


about 3 trips to tellico with plenty of locked f/r trails on em.

Just get it done when you have time.

 

[elmariachi]

How long would be reasonable to continue with these symptoms?

Its a crap shoot. Personally, I don't need to wheel bad enough to strand myself. You know you're going to have to address it sooner or later, so why not just buy replacements and the necessary seals and gaskets, throw them in a box in the back along with your tools and go wheeling until it breaks. And maybe on a rainy day you'll decide to go ahead and swap them out.

 

[Hayes]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I figure that will my infrequent and mild off road use (although I'm going to try and turn it up this summer), I will postpone new birfs for a little while.

When I get down to finding replacements, I'll ask for recommendations here.

Thanks.

Hayes

 

[smokinwheels]

how much did u spend on the front axle service ...

 

[Hayes]

how much did u spend on the front axle service ...

Can't remember the exact figure, but it was around $300 for all the bearings, seals, gaskets and grease. Even if I'm way off, it's still much much cheaper than paying someone else to do it.

There's a post (I think by Beowulf) somewhere in the FAQ that gives a list of prices for all the stuff.

Hayes