Front/Rear axle service:

[JDubble]

After a few days, I finally got the 80 squared away on some maintenance I wanted to tackle. Valve cover, spark plugs & tube seals ( no plug wires, I'll get those later), new cap and rotor, distributor o ring, throttle body ( semi cleaned out; I wanted to address the upper intake manifold but ran out of time ) gasket, thermostat, rear heater lines ( over the valve cover) and phh ; ifzfephh.com silicone setup, radiator upper and lower hoses along with the thermostat hose, coolant flush and oil change ... Oh yea, fuel filter, whew! I also adjusted the timing.

So I'm moving onto the title of this thread, anyone have some pointers / suggestions before I dive in? I'm addressing the front knuckles/seals/bearing and rear seals along with a repacking of the bearings. Throwing on some brake pads all around and bleeding the dang rig. Hoping to get done with it all by Wednesday ( I take my time and play with my kids ). If you think you're faster than me, come on by and show me, I have all the tools and parts . j/k

I was thinking of switching the birf's to opposite sides, or leave 'em in their current side and just service/repack them; any thoughts input to that idea? Also, I'm using mineral spirits as my parts cleaner, someone know of a better product at a major hardware store that's readily available? If not, I'll stick to the wire brush, rinse and scrub technique.

Thanks Steve for the hub socket, it's gonna work out. To everyone else who has input, Thanks in advance Fellas!

 

[JackZilla]

I'd recommend a huge tarp to put under the entire front/rear end of the truck. You need to be willing to throw this tarp away, but it will save you a ton of clean up. Also, make sure you have a ton of cleaning towels for parts and hands or whatever else needs wiped down. And, I would definitely switch your birfs. You're already in there and it's a good maintenance thing to have done.

 

[JDubble]

Didn't think about the tarp, nice pointer.

 

[yohavos]

Don't wear anything you're not willing to sacrifice to the "work clothes" realm.

It's a mess.

 

[busmup808]

JJ getting down and dirty! Have fun.

Sent from my hawn finga using IH8MUD

 

[JDubble]

I have the work clothes for sure. Unfortunately I came down with a flu/cold like symptoms Sunday afternoon. I've put off the work until after the labor day weekend. I wish I was getting dirty Dain, at least I would be progressing in the project. Instead, I'm blowing my nose and tending to my two little ones who are sharing the crud with me.

So no work is being conducted which may be good. I've had this LC for over 5 years and now I'm tending to the axles. I've notice some clicking under a hard lock turn but oh so slightly does it become audible. Reading up on it, there seems to be a mindset to completely replace the birfields if there is clicking (some saying to switch sides). I asked earlier if I should switch the sides but I agree with not putting in worn out parts. I have no idea if the current birfields were already switched. Contemplating if I should hold out for new ones or chance the switch. Longevity is my goal as the rig is a daily driver.

While I rest those are my thoughts...

 

[busmup808]

Take care of you and the little ones. Family 1st.

Sent from my hawn finga using IH8MUD

 

[srgould41]

I don't honestly know how much replacement birfs cost, but compare that to the cost of having to do all this work twice... Not only the dollar cost, but the effort, towing if you break down, shop cost if you break down far from home, etc.

Glad that socket will work out for you.

 

[JDubble]

For sure family is 1st. Tuff that I'm under the weather bad.

That is one of my concerns, rebuilding twice. I believe birfs are about $550 give or take. I'm just going to top off grease in the knuckles with grease and save up for birfs. If it breaks not much I can do at that point.

Thanks for all the input.