Real time birf question...

[psfpilot]

I found it easy to split 'em as Rick described. I didn't have a vice, so I just laid it on the ground and hammered away on the brass drift.

The hard part for me was getting the circlip to compress while inserting the axle shaft into the star. The better half was hammering with a rubber mallett on the end of the axle while I tried to compress the circlip. After an excessive amount of florid language and frustration, I got that darn clip to compress enough to pop the shaft in.

Does anyone have a good technique for future reference?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The hard part for me was getting the circlip to compress while inserting the axle shaft into the star. The better half was hammering with a rubber mallett on the end of the axle while I tried to compress the circlip. After an excessive amount of florid language and frustration, I got that darn clip to compress enough to pop the shaft in.

Does anyone have a good technique for future reference?

This is exactly why I stopped popping them apart. The apart is easy, especially with the pipe trick, but getting the clip compressed when working alone is a real b*tch.

 

[landtank]

Someone posted a good idea about the C-clip issue. Use a hose clamp to compress it! Then position the axle and drive it in. I haven't tried this yet but it's the same principal as putting in pistons so I have to beleive it would work real nice.

 

[concretejungle]

other than checking for cracks in the bell and perhaps inspecting for scratches, why not just use a parts washer and soak the grease out, blast the remainder with brake cleaner? THat's what i did with mine and i'm sure i got every bit of old grease out. Didn't even have to take it apart or put it back together.

 

[landtank]

the most aggressive cleaner I use is either Kerosine or white gas (coleman fuel). In other applications I've had issues when using aggresive chemical solvents. While it does clean the metal, it's almost too clean and it takes some time to get the metal to accept the lubricant again. And I think using a washer on an assembled birf is asking for trouble with residual cleaner in side that will interact with the grease.

Even after cleaning with Kerosine or white gas everything gets wiped down with an oily rag prior to assembly to try and neutralize anything left behind and it does help with re-assembly. And then I only use those cleaners if a simple wiping down of the parts isn't enough to remove the old grease from them.

 

[turbocruiser]

The hard part for me was getting the circlip to compress while inserting the axle shaft into the star. The better half was hammering with a rubber mallett on the end of the axle while I tried to compress the circlip. After an excessive amount of florid language and frustration, I got that darn clip to compress enough to pop the shaft in.

Does anyone have a good technique for future reference?

What has worked well with me is taking a stubby fat flathead scredriver, holding it hard against the part of the circlip opposite its opening and then using a large snap ring pliers to squeeze the opening together. I can get the circlip through and seated within the first few squeezes and without alot of hysterics. The way to do this job is to do it alone (ask my wife) and the way to do it alone is to use a vise to hold the birf end down (wrap the shaft with a rag to prevent marring.

HTH.

 

[turbocruiser]

Other than checking for cracks in the bell and perhaps inspecting for scratches, why not just use a parts washer and soak the grease out, blast the remainder with brake cleaner? THat's what i did with mine and i'm sure i got every bit of old grease out. Didn't even have to take it apart or put it back together.

I'm tellin ya, I did this exactly the way you say ... a parts washer soak overnight with the wand squirting right into the bell, a thorough spraying of brake cleaner even allowing the cleaner to sit in the bell for a few minutes, and then a thorough blasting of air from air hose. STILL, upon breaking open birf I see a clump of dry dirty gritty grease in the very bottom of the bell and slimy solvent all around that!!!

Also, as you made a mention of, you really cannot check for cracks without breaking open the thing.

the most aggressive cleaner I use is either Kerosine or white gas (coleman fuel). In other applications I've had issues when using aggresive chemical solvents. While it does clean the metal, it's almost too clean and it takes some time to get the metal to accept the lubricant again. And I think using a washer on an assembled birf is asking for trouble with residual cleaner in side that will interact with the grease.

Even after cleaning with Kerosine or white gas everything gets wiped down with an oily rag prior to assembly to try and neutralize anything left behind and it does help with re-assembly. And then I only use those cleaners if a simple wiping down of the parts isn't enough to remove the old grease from them.

Agree 100% but to be totally clear the problem with residual cleaner is only on an assembled birf; if you break your birf open there is no problem with using the parts washer anything that remains (and there will be a slimy layer of supersaturated solvent under those balls and that cage) will be manually removed.

 

[nakman]

I've used the hoseclamp method to reassemble, it works well once you learn the technique. One of those where the first one takes you 10 minutes, the second one takes you 2. There's really no substitute for popping the thing apart.

 

[1000-oaks]

The hose clamp idea is a good one, I didn't think of that and boogered up the axle splines trying to pound the birf onto the shaft...

45 minutes with a needle file later, we finally got the assembly together by pushing down on the birf and then working the snap ring under the "star" with a screwdriver. Had to chase the ring around a few times, but finally got it compressed enough for the star to slide over.

 

[flintknapper]

X9 ?

BTDT circa 2000

http://home.off-road.com/~cruiserhead/birfield/birfield.html

Funny to read the comments back then - particularily the "dissenting" opinion. (NameWithHeld - are you still out there )

Is it just me, or does that Birfield look like it has a face?

 

[landtank]

Is it just me, or does that Birfield look like it has a face?

put the crack pipe down and have another look at it in the morning.

 

[cruiser88]

put the crack pipe down and have another look at it in the morning.

he needs to share