To birf or not to birf...

[Hayes]

I've noticed birf clicking when turned in reverse, under medium-strong throttle for over a year. Decided not to worry about it.

Repacked the birfs right before Cruise Moab.

However, when cruising the small dune on Poison Spider during Cruise Moab, I got some mean clicking from both sides under throttle going forward. It was definitely disconcerting.

I have yet to notice any clicking when crawling in forward--but that all happens a very slow speeds, of course.


The perennial question:

What to do?


They've got plenty of grease, cause I just repacked.

Replace with $OEM$ from Dan?
Replace with aftermarket Japanese via Christo (availability)?
Replace with Longfields cause I don't drive it more than 10 miles per day anymore?
Ignore it?

 

[TOY350]

I replaced mine with Longs. That's before I knew they don't have the longevity (no pun intended) of OEM ones. I guess I have a few years to go before I have to to be concerned since I average about 3K a year.

I knew I was due for a replacement because I got popping or clicking while turning, which I think is the most tell tale sign of birf wearout. Mine was just the passenger side but I replaced both and have the driver side as a spare. I also don't worry too much when locking the front and turning on the trail, but then again I am only running 33's and OEM's probably would be fine. I saved money and went with tougher birfs at the sacrifice of service life from them.

My .02

 

[Elijah]

Replace with some used OEM birfs.

 

[TOY350]

Replace with some used OEM birfs.

The only problem with the used OEM birfs is that they will obviously have higher mileage on them since we have an AWD vehicle and you might be clicking again sooner than you would like. I would say first three choices you listed are your best bet, unless you don't mind tearing into the front end. Now if this was a 40/60 or part time 80 then I wouldn't hesitate on dropping in a used set.

 

[OGBeno]

I've noticed birf clicking when turned in reverse, under medium-strong throttle for over a year. Decided not to worry about it.

Repacked the birfs right before Cruise Moab.

However, when cruising the small dune on Poison Spider during Cruise Moab, I got some mean clicking from both sides under throttle going forward. It was definitely disconcerting.

I have yet to notice any clicking when crawling in forward--but that all happens a very slow speeds, of course.


The perennial question:

What to do?


They've got plenty of grease, cause I just repacked.

Replace with $OEM$ from Dan?
Replace with aftermarket Japanese via Christo (availability)?
Replace with Longfields cause I don't drive it more than 10 miles per day anymore?
Ignore it?

Those things will last you thousands of more miles. When you say "mean" what do you really mean? I ask because we are a bit more attuned to the attributes of wearing parts more than others might be. That said, I vote as well for the use OEM.

Drive the ones you have for a bit longer (especially since you don't drive far daily). Then put thenused OEM's in and drive them for another 30K, etc. Seriously, used OEM's can be had for $50-$100 a piece. A birf job is easy, just time consuming.

Unless, you've got lots of cash, buy new OEM's.

-o-

 

[Hayes]

Waffling between ignoring my clicks and buying a pair of new CV Unlimited birfs from Mark at Metaltech for $225 shipped. These are NOT the HD Newfields, and I don't know what their strength/wear characteristics are. I would have to transfer my abs rings.

$225 is cheap, but I'm not sure if they would be better than my clicking OEM's or not (they wouldn't click, but would they be stronger/more reliable?).

Gotta let Mark know asap.

Opinions?

 

[Nay]

I wouldn't trust the CV Unlimited without specs compared to OEM.

Honestly, I'd do Longfields with your plans to go to 35's unless you drive over 10K miles per year. Lots of mileage = new OEM. If you can get five years out of Longfields then the extra strength is worth it since aren't they less expensive than OEM?

I don't think it is worth going used over the long haul. You increase your chances of breakage or just buying something nearly as worn as yours, you spend your valuable time as a father of young kids wrenching regularly, and new OEM's probably get you the next 10 years.

Now picking up a set of used as a spare may buy you a few years if the clicking doesn't bother you, and that's a no wrenching solution. Even the CV Unlimited would fulfill that role just fine.

 

[blotto66]

Hayes, ill put my two cents in here as well. I will never regret spending the extra cash to buy the new ones. They should last another 150000 miles. I would also take into consideration that you may want to move up to 315's at some point.

 

[blotto66]

Hayes, you might also want to look at these birf's https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=158067
Greasable looks prety cool.