Can I drive with front axles removed?

[DonkeyFJ40]

Oops. Pretty sure I broke a birfield yesterday. Mostly my fault, camera was out. I got a bit stuck and he started to buck so instead of stopping and backing out I kept bucking with predictable results. User error.

Now there's grinding and I don't get full lock to lock steering. Figure a broken piece of the birfield is binding in there. Was fine in 2wd with hubs unlocked. Got it home but would like to keep driving while I wait for a bunch of parts. Kinda spooky knowing the steering could jam at any moment.

I'm wondering if it would be advisable to pull the axles and front drive shaft and keep driving him in 2wd? Can't think of anything that would prevent me from doing so. Any thoughts? Am I missing something?
Thanks!

 

[brian]

just pull the broken side.
no need to pull the other side or the drive shaft.

 

[Living in the Past]

With hubs unlocked hopefully nothing is spinning inside while transfer is in 2WD. Remove the inner axle and diff oil can mix with the wheel bearing and knuckle grease. I never tried to install a inner axle without the Birfield but guessing it's not easy. It also would not be locked in place.

 

[Tools R Us]

With hubs unlocked hopefully nothing is spinning inside while transfer is in 2WD. Remove the inner axle and diff oil can mix with the wheel bearing and knuckle grease. I never tried to install a inner axle without the Birfield but guessing it's not easy. It also would not be locked in place.

It's simple, just put something to hold the axle somewhat in place, a balled/folded rag works. The axle just becomes a plug to keep the gear oil in, if the diff isn't turning, it isn't needed, just drain the diff.

 

[DonkeyFJ40]

It's simple, just put something to hold the axle somewhat in place, a balled/folded rag works. The axle just becomes a plug to keep the gear oil in, if the diff isn't turning, it isn't needed, just drain the diff.

That was my plan. Drain diff. It's not turning so no oil needed. Keep the oil out of the knuckle grease.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Living in the Past]

I would just run it in 2WD rather doing the job twice unless I'm missing a way to get thet Birfield out without removing the spindle. I don't understand how a rag is going hold free a floating axle. The knuckle is a open space and across is the spindle that moves as you turn. Think the short side inner axle would be easier to put in without the Birfield, on the long side leverage makes it harder to do.

 

[Tools R Us]

I would just run it in 2WD rather doing the job twice unless I'm missing a way to get thet Birfield out without removing the spindle.

When the birf is exploded, the shards can randomly lock the steering, something that most wouldn't be comfortable driving with?

I don't understand how a rag is going hold free a floating axle. The knuckle is a open space and across is the spindle that moves as you turn. Think the short side inner axle would be easier to put in without the Birfield, on the long side leverage makes it harder to do.

I guess it's difficult to imagine? When broken, no need to disassemble most of it, take the knuckle off, clean out the big debris, shove a spacer (folded rag) in the birf bell remains, reassemble. No need to remove the axle, etc, back to driving in ~30min,, less if you have done it a time or two.

 

[Vossie]

its been answered already, but for info sakes, i ran my previous 45 for 2 years with half shafts in the front axle. its just a 2 wheel drive LC with optional low range