Front Axle/Knuckle Rebuild
well, After sourceing all the parts and reading and printing off all the posts, and downloading the FSM for 15$ I got to work today rebuilding the front axle assembly including Birfs and the Knuckes.
I can confirm a few things:
1. the 1.5" PVC pipe separation method works perfectly for removing the axle from the birf, as does the hose clamp method for re-insertion (thats what she said)
2. the 90 ft pound bolts that hold the brake caliper on can only be removed with a breaker bar inserted into my racing jack handle for leverage. that only added 30 minutes...
3. Brass punches rule for removing cone washers.
4. The 100 series needle bearing/brass bushing combo fit the 80 series spindle perfectly. I was too greased up today to take pics, but I will take some pics tomorrow when I do the passenger side.
again for reference, part numbers as follows:
90381-35001 Brass bushing, Qty (2) list 9.06, sell 7.08
90364-33011 Needle Bearing, Qty (2) list 54.19, sell 42.35
total with tax 105.78
5. As always, harbor freight is the hsit.
6. You will need at least 2 boxes of nitrile/latex gloves
The wheel bearings looked good, but when I removed the drivers side cap and loosened the lock washer, I was able to spin off the lock nut with my fingers without the socket. Given that the locknut is supposed to be cranked down to 47 ft lbs, I think that may have been a major contributor to my noise.
on opening the driver knuckle, I found the 1.5 tubes of grease I pumped in though the square nut hole a few weeks ago, and some clear yellow grease which was put in some time ago. when I drained the diff a few weeks ago I got a considerable amount of moly in the fluid, today not so bad, so I am sure with the seals being replaced and everything greased properly, i will be good for 60k.
I will take plenty of pics tomorrow as I didnt start till 11 this morning and had a few snags with cleaning supplies and such. I have been wrenching for a long time, sometimes for a living, lately just for fun, and this site is the incredible for the info, how to's and pics on doing PM and maint work.

well, After sourceing all the parts and reading and printing off all the posts, and downloading the FSM for 15$ I got to work today rebuilding the front axle assembly including Birfs and the Knuckes.
I can confirm a few things:
1. the 1.5" PVC pipe separation method works perfectly for removing the axle from the birf, as does the hose clamp method for re-insertion (thats what she said)
2. the 90 ft pound bolts that hold the brake caliper on can only be removed with a breaker bar inserted into my racing jack handle for leverage. that only added 30 minutes...
3. Brass punches rule for removing cone washers.
4. The 100 series needle bearing/brass bushing combo fit the 80 series spindle perfectly. I was too greased up today to take pics, but I will take some pics tomorrow when I do the passenger side.
again for reference, part numbers as follows:
90381-35001 Brass bushing, Qty (2) list 9.06, sell 7.08
90364-33011 Needle Bearing, Qty (2) list 54.19, sell 42.35
total with tax 105.78
5. As always, harbor freight is the hsit.
6. You will need at least 2 boxes of nitrile/latex gloves
The wheel bearings looked good, but when I removed the drivers side cap and loosened the lock washer, I was able to spin off the lock nut with my fingers without the socket. Given that the locknut is supposed to be cranked down to 47 ft lbs, I think that may have been a major contributor to my noise.
on opening the driver knuckle, I found the 1.5 tubes of grease I pumped in though the square nut hole a few weeks ago, and some clear yellow grease which was put in some time ago. when I drained the diff a few weeks ago I got a considerable amount of moly in the fluid, today not so bad, so I am sure with the seals being replaced and everything greased properly, i will be good for 60k.
I will take plenty of pics tomorrow as I didnt start till 11 this morning and had a few snags with cleaning supplies and such. I have been wrenching for a long time, sometimes for a living, lately just for fun, and this site is the incredible for the info, how to's and pics on doing PM and maint work.

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