did front axel service, now....

[AFinn]

So i bought my 80 needing a front axle job. i ordered the parts from cdan( thanks ) and finally got around to doing it on sat. it was a long hot day in the garage, but finally got it done ( i hope ). my question is that when i drove it today i noticed the allignment is off, is this normal, or is this a sure sign i screwed the pooch? If normal, it can wait, i am planning on lifting it soon anyway. just dont want to get too far ahead of myself. also, anyone out there want to trade springs? i have ome heavys 2.5" and would like, well, a 6 in slee... or ome mediums. my funding for this project just got cut, so it will be some time before i can get bumpers and such. thanks.

 

[raydouble]

What makes you think the alignment is off?

What all did you replace? Bearings, races, seals, and birf grease?

 

[sundaypunch]

You shouldn't have done anything that would mess with your alignment. Are you sure it wasn't already off?

If you have OME heavies you shouldn't have a problem finding someone with mediums that will trade.

 

[Beowulf]

i noticed the allignment is off, is this normal,

No, this is not normal. Describe what is causing you to say the alignment "is off".

-B-

 

[tblume]

big friction added or removed on one side of axle? something in the bearings, grease, brake pads maybe is binding up?

 

[IdahoDoug]

"Alignment off" is woefully inadequate.

DougM

 

[AFinn]

sorry guys, my internet has been on the fritz. my steering wheel is off center, where as it wasnt before. i havent driven it much , and the roads arent a real flat plane so havent noticed much pull or wonder. but when i pulled up into the driveway in my dd after work today, it almost looks like my front pass tire is leaning ever so slightly, so i wonder if i didnt get the hub nut seated right. i wont have time to take it back apart till later this week to check. luckily not my dd. does this sound like a possibiliy? it felt smooth and without any adverse noises when i did drive it. thanks for all the help.

 

[jvhooser]

You might check both the wheell bearings, and the trunion bearings to see that they are seated properly. Also be sure the 4 nuts and cones on the bottom and 2 on top of the steering knuckles are torqued properly.

PM me when you want to get rid of the heavy's I'm looking for a set. Don't have mediums to trade though. I'm stock right now.

 

[corsair23]

I was interested in this thread because the question of having a front end alignment done AFTER a front axle service is done came up recently...

I plan to do my own front axle service to include replacing the DS knuckle (due to a stripped top caliper bolt hole). I got an estimate for the work from the local Lexus dealer and convinced my aftermarket warranty company to pay ME whatever they agreed to pay the Lexus dealer and I would do the work (they wouldn't cover the knuckle but would cover the front axle seals ). I got all of the parts including ALL new bearings and the new knuckle for less than what the dealer was going to charge just to replace the seals

Anyway, part of the estimate from the dealership was an alignment

Was that just them adding additional expense to the quote or is an alignment a good thing to do after the front axle service? I've never heard of it recommended before...

 

[AFinn]

i just figured out my problem! i didnt put the trunion bearings in correct! :whoops:. im trying to keep a positive attitude about this, but my mistake is frusterating. but i guess this is all part of the learning process! i have it mostly all back apart in the garage, but not sure when ill find time to finish. i guess better to find the problem now, than to have driven on it any more. thanks for all the input, and ill keep you posted.

 

[hj60]

I plan to do my own front axle service to include replacing the DS knuckle (due to a stripped top caliper bolt hole).

Why not boost your profit from this and just Heli-Coil the buggered hole?

 

[corsair23]

Why not boost your profit from this and just Heli-Coil the buggered hole?

That has already been done and has been holding well for over 3 months. But it was only planned as a short term fix to get me to CM08 and back and I've gone way beyond my planned time running it this way. It may well hold forever but honestly, for the cost of a new knuckle, it just isn't worth taking the chance. If it were a trail only rig maybe, but it is my DD and hauler of my family

 

[elhombre]

I am curious how you were able to put the bearings in wrong. I would like to know so that the next time I do this work, I could avoid the same problem.

 

[lovetoski]

i just figured out my problem! i didnt put the trunion bearings in correct! :whoops:. im trying to keep a positive attitude about this, but my mistake is frusterating. but i guess this is all part of the learning process! i have it mostly all back apart in the garage, but not sure when ill find time to finish. i guess better to find the problem now, than to have driven on it any more. thanks for all the input, and ill keep you posted.

Currios to know also what you did wrong.

If there's any chance the bearings or races are buggerd, best to replace them.

I can fully sympathise with being frustrated when you f'up on a repair. I could tell you some stories about my own mistsakes. Truth is though that DIY car repair always involves mistakes. You can save money, but at a cost in time/frustration. I try to remind myself that it's all part of the excitement of the journey.

 

[sundaypunch]

I am curious how you were able to put the bearings in wrong.

Same here. They are cone shaped so it's not like they can go in upside-down or something. Short of leaving them out I don't see how they can go in wrong?

 

[jvhooser]

This is from the FAQ:

Install the upper and lower races for the trunnion bearings. Use a rubber mallet to help seat them correctly. May need a brass drift and hammer.

Grease pack the new trunnion bearings (Preferred) or old bearings. Place grease (I Used Mobil 1 Red Synth) in your palm and tap the bearing into your hand moving the rollers, rotating while you do. Keep packing until you see grease come out the inside all the way around.

Install the upper bearing

Have the outer knuckle housing handy and install the bottom bearing. Install the outer knuckle housing. May need to adjust to make sure bearings are seated properly before bolting the outer housing back on.

Check that bearing is lined up by reaching finger down from inside the inner knuckle to feel the center dimple in the bearing housing. Tighten bolts taking care to check bearing is lined up. Place cone washers and washers on the other two studs and tighten. Remove the first two bolts, install cone washers and washers and replace. Use locktite on any studs that came apart during removal.

If the bearing is not lined up correctly correctly that might cause the problem. If not aligned correctly, I would suspect that the bearing and or race would be damaged when the knuckle bolts were torqued, or there would be a large gap between the knuckle and the housing.

Just a guess, but I can't see how else they could be installed wrong.

 

[Beowulf]

Same here. They are cone shaped so it's not like they can go in upside-down or something. Short of leaving them out I don't see how they can go in wrong?

They can be inserted upside down. This has happened a couple of times and reported here on 'Mud. Getting them back out is the problem.

-B-

 

[AFinn]

yeah -B-, thats what it appears that i did. i still havn't had time to mess with it. the only thing i have thought to free the bearings, is to hold a small rubber mallot against the bearing on the inside, and give it a good whack with a larger hammer. i know this is not the ideal treatment for bearings, but i gots no other choice. i guess depending on how much of a fight they put up coming out will be directly related to if and when i call cdan back. hopefully i will have some more time to get dirty on sun. we will see. any other ideas will also be considered.

 

[Beowulf]

... any other ideas will also be considered.

We had a spirited thread when trying to help another guy that installed the trunion bearings backwards. There were quite a few suggestions on how to get them out and I believe the OP did a follow-up post on how he finally got them out.

Let me know if you need assistance in finding that thread. I am pretty good with the forum search. Start with Keywords=trunion, bearings, problem, install (might throw in backward or upside down or pound), 80-section only, posts only, advanced search. ( Author won't help because I cannot recall who had the problem and who helped with the responses.)



Later..... Found 3 threads with the same issue. (You are in good company.... some longtime 'Mudders did the same thing. )

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/4432-front-axle-f-up-emergency-help-needed.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/68699-first-birfield-help-asap.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/34667-help-birfield-bearing-receway-stuck-major-problem.html



Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

-B-

 

[sundaypunch]

They can be inserted upside down. This has happened a couple of times and reported here on 'Mud. Getting them back out is the problem.

-B-

That is strange. I have done 3 axle jobs and don't see how you can do this. I believe you, just can't visualize it. If you pounded the race in upside down how do you get the bearing in?