Birfield

[Tentsontop]

My passenger side birfield is all ground up on the 90 degree outside edge(the end closest to the inner axle) and the bottom of the axle housing below it is scored. What would cause that, how do I fix it and do you know where I can pick up some used birfs? No pics. Planning on changing out the PS birf and possibly using a welder/grinder to fill the groove in the axle housing.

 

[GXO]

Only thing that I can think of would be a grenaded bearing or other component inside the birf cup...too bad you don't have pics.

Good luck cleaning it up...I bet it would ride okay if you made sure the scoring was not burred or could otherwise touch the new birf. The grease should allow it to be filled in to some extent...again with no pictures it is hard to say.

 

[Tentsontop]

The damage is on the top of the cup on the outside where the inner axle meets the birf. It's almost like it was run at an extreme angle and ground down scoring the bottom of the axel housing in the process. Kinda weird. Post pics when I tear it back down. Have to drive it as is until I find new birfs. Left side is fine.

 

[devo]

I know were you can get a whole front axle assemble if you need to go that route.

devo

 

[Tentsontop]

I don't need the whole assembly. Just birfs for now.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Sounds like perhaps someone used the wrong stub axle length. There are at least 3 spline lengths available for the end that engages the drive plate, and a specific plate for that axle. If this was done, it could be the axle can move longitudinally more than it's supposed to. Otherwise, a badly worn spindle bushing might allow a lot of radial play.

DougM

 

[lowtideride]

Ive had Knuckle bearing go on the trail causing my camber to change and the birf to make contact with the side of the knuckle. Also bits of bearing were not helping it at all.

 

[RACER1269]

so did you repair the axle housing? this is what i found tontie in mine. was yours this bad? thanks

 

[concretejungle]

Ouch that looks nasty.

 

[hadji_85]

oh wow i'm scared mine will look like that, what do you do to fix it?

 

[Hayes]

Jeez. That looks gnarly.

Jenny Cruiser, the first time I opened my PS knuckle, I saw something like what you described. It also looked like something had been done to the knuckle studs sometime in the past.

I concluded that a previous owner had busted off or lost a knuckle stud, pushing the knuckle housing up into the birf.

After going through the whole thing and repacking, etc., I decided that the scoring on the birf as well as the knuckle housing was ultimately superficial. I repacked and replaced bearings, seals, and wipers. Everything has been fine since.

Hayes

 

[IdahoDoug]

Chado,

I'd be surprised if there is any damage that would affect proper operation. Far more likely that it's just superficial cosmetic marking. In the absence of pictures for the literally dozens of folks here who could then give definitive advice it is hard to judge, but I doubt you need to do anything but repack and assemble it as Hayes did. Don't waste a bunch of money on a few scrape marks.

DougM

 

[GXO]

Indeed. If there is a raised burr or two take a dremel to them and ensure they are smooth. If it is ugly it doesn't matter, just ensure there are no large protrusions, the seals seat properly, and that the axle is assembled as designed. Ugliness on the inside is easier to hide, as we all know too well