realtime birf question regarding inner cage (1 Viewer)

[threatminor]

How do you know if there is any need to replace the inner cage or the spider joint that goes inside it with the slots for the balls.

My cage has some little chips here and there along the edges. Does that mean I need a new one?

Also, when separating the inner axle with the hammer technique, does the brass punch go against the inner spider joint thing or the cage looking race that holds it?

Also, I had slight clicking on the left side at full turn before deciding to do this. On that side, the birf has slight rust coloration here and there along the outside that I can't get off. On the other side, it came perfectly clean and looks new like the pictures in the right ups on here show. Could that rust coloration on that side have had anything to do with the clicking and signal a need for a new birf( hopefully not ! ).

If you know the answer to any of these, my life tonight and tomorrow will much, much easier. THANKS!

 

[landtank]

it's a whole birf or nothing, you can't just get a cage.

When driving off a birf, place the drift against the inner race, that part that slides onto the axle.

The fact that the birf was clicking prior to cleaning doesn't bode well for it but I'd clean and repack it anyway and see how it is.

Some clicking doesn't mean it needs to be replaced.

 

[robjam]

I've come to the conclusion that a little clicking equates to just a little more vehicle character. I swapped mine side-to-side and diminished the clicking, but it is still there. As for hammering, I'm novice and used the iron pipe / slam it against the ground / make the neighbors take notice / crack your concrete patio method
Cage was chipped too, but re-used the whole assembly with 120K minus the C-clip. I'm happy with the results overall. Clean the rust as best possible, it will still run fine and it won't 'click' from the rust you describe. The chips in the cage shouldn't cause clicking, but the grooves in the ball paths will!

 

[GXO]

I just grenaded my DS birf, axle, and hub (yes, I have hubs) tonight.

That was a fun way to end a day of wheeling