I'm doing a knuckle rebuild for the first time and noticed that the birfield has wear around the star housing. Is this normal? Both the left and right birfs have it. It's a 92 with aisin hubs.
birfield wear question
- Thread starter MattDsfj80
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- Thread starter
- #3
Here is a better picture
That looks like the Barfield was rubbing on the inside of the knuckle. Was the clip in place on the outer splines?
If this was the case, you would see marks inside the knuckle, too
If this was the case, you would see marks inside the knuckle, too
- Thread starter
- #5
There was no clip on the outside.
1973Guppie
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no biggie, does not look that deep of scoring, I would just file it smooth and run it. Check for burrs or whatever in the knuckle ball.
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- #7
Ok thaks, I just wanted to make sure they were ok to use before finishing the knuckle rebuild.
1973Guppie
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make sure you take them apart, inspect the bell and innards for cracks and wear. I usually swap birfields side to side to switch up the wear patterns.
Hornd
SILVER Star
Switch the Birfs from side to side using a Piece of 2" PVC and a Hose clamp slightly larger than the Shaft of the Birf to change Circlips. Best done with 2 ppl and stuff a rag in the PVC to lessen blow.
This is the idea but you don't need a fancy tube:
This is the idea but you don't need a fancy tube:
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the tough part is getting it back in with the clip, I still hate doing this many years after, but my wife and I have gotten pretty good at popping them back in to place. It usually includes some crude jokes from me about "shafts" and "lube".
seriously though, use 2 people when installing the shaft back into the birf. I have never been able to do it solo. one person needs to push while the other compresses the clip. I usually have my wife hammer in the shaft from above while I press the clip into place with a couple small flathead screwdrivers.
seriously though, use 2 people when installing the shaft back into the birf. I have never been able to do it solo. one person needs to push while the other compresses the clip. I usually have my wife hammer in the shaft from above while I press the clip into place with a couple small flathead screwdrivers.
Hornd
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Make your life easy and use a hose clamp.
The c clip on the outermost splines keeps the Birfield in the correct position. Without it, the Birfield and inner axle are free to move too far in to the center of the axle housing. The wear marks on the outside don't concern me except it is a sign that the Birfield and inner shaft are moving, which could lead to wear or binding.
A zip tie over the c clip on the inner shaft will make it easy to slide the Birfield.
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yeah I have tried that but did not work for me.....
- Thread starter
- #14
I was going to flip the birds but the passenger side appears to be aftermarket and not separable.
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- #15
The drivers side is moving some but I can't get the birf to separate from the axle.
Hornd
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I think that is an OEM Shaft. If not what is holding shaft in Birfield?
Can't quit recall what mine looked like.
Give it a try as it takes about 2 mins to put PVC over it and hit on hard surface. It is very difficult to hold Birf and Hold PVC at same time. Have a helper hold the Birf, then put 2 hands on PVC to strike it.
Hornd
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Hit it like you mean it, and don't have panties on!
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there is a small breakable clip inside the birf holding the shaft in place. You need to get a metal pipe if the pvc does not work. A metal pipe and some slamming on a concrete floor always gets it. Some I have done are very easy while others have been very stubborn. It will come.
orttauq
SILVER Star
Just did this on mine and one hit got them both AND the clips did not break loose inside 
