Solid Axle Brass Spindle Bushing Clearance

[toyotaboy80]

What is the spindle bushing clearance for a solid axle? I read somewhere for the IFS trucks it is something like .004" but cant find a spec for the solid axle.

What is the I.D of a brand new bushing?

 

[pappy]

There is a spec for that? I just reamed it out until the Birfield fit.

 

[toyotaboy80]

My bushings look mint and so do my birfields where they would meet the bushing. The bushing is .010" bigger than my birfield. The FSM says to "Check for wear and replace" Well, my birfields are mint and so are the bushings... does that mean I'm good to go even though there is .010" clearance? Or does that mean holy loose, go buy a new bushing and clearance it to .001". Word has it that the new bushing is smaller than the birfield and it has to be sized to fit and there is no spec, does that mean someone could just dangle a die grinder in the bushing to clear it up .050" and slap it together? lol

Or, is the clearance more like .001"... If say the output shaft on the transmission ran a bushing and not a bearing, there definitely wouldn't be .010" slop between the bushing and shaft.

What is the purpose of the bushing? When in 4wd the axle is held in place by the hub gears. Is it to stop it from slopping around in the spindle and pounding out the hub assembly?

 

[unklwedy]

Machinery Handbook should provide running or slip fit clearances for your situation.

 

[pappy]

Here is the way I looked at it. The Birfield is steel. The bushing is brass. If the Birfield fits, it's good. It will wear into place. I replaced mine when I heard them rattling on bumpy roads in 2WD.

I think you are over analyzing this.

 

[KLF]

You definitely don't want them too tight, or even snug. A little bit loose is fine. I put a new set in once, they felts fine (but snug) when I put it together, but the next time I pulled the knuckles apart to install the front locker, I found both bushings spun in the spindles, siezed to the Birfields.

New bushings will be too tight on the Birf. The best way to ream them out (that I've found) is with a brake hone.

I agree, you're over-thinking it. Put it back together, it will be fine.