Has anyone ever installed a front axle single-handed? I'm in the boonies and i may have to do this install myself. Any great ideas would be appreciated.
Cheers
Cheers
Front axle installation (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter hidesertfj40
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Has anyone ever installed a front axle single-handed? I'm in the boonies and i may have to do this install myself. Any great ideas would be appreciated.
Cheers
I used a furnature dolly from home depot, rolls the axle left and right and forward and back, lined it up on the springs, put the u bolts on and got it all back together then I used the jack to lift the entire axle and springs up to the shackles, and did the final tighting
how did Art Banks work out??
Rob
I've done it myself a couple of times, it's not too bad. A couple of jacks and lots of jackstands help.
Don't remember exactly how I did it, but if you're SUA, jack up the frame and put it on jackstands (make sure it's high enough to clear the arched springs, jack up the axle and put on smaller jackstands, then attach springs and lower the axle onto the springs to attach U-bolts.
I think you could also probably do it with the tires on, then you would be able to roll the axle around a bit to help get it into position. I think I did it that way when I replaced the center spring pin and put in new caster shims.
Only helpful advice I can give you is to attach the fixed ends of the spring first, then the shackle ends. Also make sure you place your jackstands where won't interfere with anything (so think ahead and don't stupidly put them right behind the front shackle mounts!) That should be pretty obvious, but sometimes when you're tired and it's getting dark you tend to forget little things like that and have to take things apart again.
Edit: Actually, now that I think about it, I made a mistake. I think it's easier to attach the shackle end of the spring first, because you can move the shackle around to get the parts to line up a lot easier. Then when you attach the fixed end, the other side of the spring is swinging free and already lined up parallel to the frame. If you do the fixed end first, you have to hold and align the spring with one hand, while trying dragging spring across the ground to get the parts aligned. If you're on rough asphalt the center pin will dig into the ground and the spring will always be trying to pivot around the pin. Either way, the first time I did it I realized I should have done it the other way.
Don't remember exactly how I did it, but if you're SUA, jack up the frame and put it on jackstands (make sure it's high enough to clear the arched springs, jack up the axle and put on smaller jackstands, then attach springs and lower the axle onto the springs to attach U-bolts.
I think you could also probably do it with the tires on, then you would be able to roll the axle around a bit to help get it into position. I think I did it that way when I replaced the center spring pin and put in new caster shims.
Only helpful advice I can give you is to attach the fixed ends of the spring first, then the shackle ends. Also make sure you place your jackstands where won't interfere with anything (so think ahead and don't stupidly put them right behind the front shackle mounts!) That should be pretty obvious, but sometimes when you're tired and it's getting dark you tend to forget little things like that and have to take things apart again.
Edit: Actually, now that I think about it, I made a mistake. I think it's easier to attach the shackle end of the spring first, because you can move the shackle around to get the parts to line up a lot easier. Then when you attach the fixed end, the other side of the spring is swinging free and already lined up parallel to the frame. If you do the fixed end first, you have to hold and align the spring with one hand, while trying dragging spring across the ground to get the parts aligned. If you're on rough asphalt the center pin will dig into the ground and the spring will always be trying to pivot around the pin. Either way, the first time I did it I realized I should have done it the other way.
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- Thread starter
- #5
Art did a real nice job. I'm very happy with his work. he's also a real nice guy to work with. How do you post pics in here? I'm kinda stuck in the mud in that?
- Thread starter
- #6
I'm sua on this one. I was kind figuring that someone out there has done this solo once or twice before... I didnt want to repeat any unecessary mistakes.
How was MOAB Rob?
How was MOAB Rob?
Art did a real nice job. I'm very happy with his work. he's also a real nice guy to work with. How do you post pics in here? I'm kinda stuck in the mud in that?
pics are easy, well kind of, go to reply to thread then down to manage , then manage attachments, then use the wndow, the sizes are small so you may have to resize your pics
Im 19 years old i did removed them and put them back up on my own. you can do it i didnt have anything but one jack so im sure you can do it.
I took mine of by my self. and that was like 2. so I was 14 or so. it was easy. And I didnt have any floor jacks. just battle jacks. back then
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for the input guys. Heres a pic of axle completed and ready to install this weekend
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You should do it the easy way and save yourself the hassle and any damage to your housings. I have done it many times by myself.
Jack the truck up and support it with stands just before the spring hangers . Remove the tie rod ends and U bolts .Drop the springs at the front. Wheel the old axle out and wheel the new one in.
Reinstall the spring at the front and then U blots , tie rod ends.
Vic
Jack the truck up and support it with stands just before the spring hangers . Remove the tie rod ends and U bolts .Drop the springs at the front. Wheel the old axle out and wheel the new one in.
Reinstall the spring at the front and then U blots , tie rod ends.
Vic
das whatz I sezzz,
- Thread starter
- #14
Vicm - that sounds like a good sequence, but it never hurts to find out the pros and cons.
calstyl12 - 10-4 I Roger that one... Loud and clear! Are you running the AR shackles on your 40?
calstyl12 - 10-4 I Roger that one... Loud and clear! Are you running the AR shackles on your 40?
no their MAF 4+, run em backwards so that I can use the front triangle as a little ramp up and over the edge of rocks and ledges, should not matter soon cause she's getting 35"s soon I hope. good Shaclkes though
- Thread starter
- #16
I got five 35" BFG MT for sale. If interested... Got about 1/2"-5/" tread.
