Virgin no more-First Birf job done! (1 Viewer)

[MaddBaggins]

Did my first birf job on Saturday, no problem! A couple of my wheeling buddies are mechanics and they have their own shop. For some and a little cash I convinced them to let me use the shop and have one of them standing by in case I needed any help. Having access to a lift, parts washer, air tools and being inside sure made it nice.
I did about 95% of the job myself and took my time. I had to repeat step #6 a couple of times so it took me about 6-7 hours total.
I had thought about taking pictures but when I realised how messy this job really is there is no way I was gonna touch my camera.
The only issue I had was putting the plates on that press up on the felt washer. Some of those bolts were weak and I snapped 3 of them real easy. I had pull those plates back off and then back out the bolts and start over. Lucky I was at a shop so I had spares.
I don't know the maintenaince history of my LC but once I opened up the birfs everything in there looked pretty good. I replaced with all new parts anyway-THANKS CDAN-now I have perfectly good spare bearings!
All in all not a bad job, pretty messy and a little time consuming especially when you have to repeat #6 a few times.
Nuff said

 

[Romer]

Congrats. I did my first one in Feb. Not hard just time consuming and messy.

 

[TX_TLC]

Great job! Sure feels great to be done and KNOW what is going on down there. There is just no substitute for knowing your own rig.

 

[GeoRoss]

Good job MB,

Now I know who to call when I do a birf job. Now all I need to do is find my 80. 5 months of looking and no lockers yet in the Tucson/Phoenix area.

Ross

 

[BrianDale]

What is a birf and is there a difference in lockers and all time 4x4? Someone toss me a bone, no salad please.

 

[helocat]

What is a birf and is there a difference in lockers and all time 4x4? Someone toss me a bone, no salad please.

Wow three questions in one sentence!

Birf: AKA Birfeild this is the constant velocity joint in the front axle. 2x of them. Search will have good reading on these. All solid axel Toyotas have them.

Lockers: Nope lockers lock the inner axels.

Full time 4x4: This is due to the transfer case design and drive plates on the front axel.


Maddbaggins: Congrats! Always nice to have good tools and work area. Now you are all educated for that 2 AM on a hill side in the rain birf job. Just kidding, but it will make any trail needs quicker.

Trick with the camera = surgical type gloves. Just get a box of them and snap them off when you need clean hands. (Or shoot degreaser on them as you ware them and wipe down with a shop rag) Working with tube all the time I have to handle it with the shipping oil, clean it and handle it clean. Then once it’s prepped for the bender I handle it with bending oil all over it. If the tube is going into a project in the shop out comes the Oil-Eater again, then acetone prior to welding. I buy Nitrile disposable gloves by the case!

Mark

 

[MaddBaggins]

Ross, I didn't consider lockers to be too important when I looked for mine. I'm having a good time learning how to wheel my rig without them and when I get more serious I will add some ARB's. I'm defintely no expert, but I am willing to help you when you need it.

Mark, I tried the latex glove thing. I tore thru the first pair in about 15 minutes and said the hell with it.
Later