RE: TOY: Birfield Joint or Hub

[David Morrison <davidm3286@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- "Payne, Mike K." <MPayne1@allstate.com> wrote:
> I was told that a birfield would cause steering
> malfunctions... is that the
> case or is that only normal but not definite?

It can but not always...esp if it hasn't broken into
pieces yet.  A lot of times it will severely limit
turning radius...but not always.  My guess is that you
have a cracked Birfield that has not broken into
pieces.  Quick and dirty fix is to go in replace that
birfield, replace the inner axle seal and use RTV to
seal all the hub surfaces.  For your first time figure
2 to 3 hours.  I've seen guys do this in under an hour
on the trail when they had the complete axle shaft to
swap in.  It takes me slightly over an hour to do it.


> In 2WD the truck seems fine so I was hoping it
> wasn't a birfield... mostly
> because I am not looking forward to digging the
> pieces out...
> 
> Thanks for the input though...
> 
> IN any event I will be tearing down the front
> assemblies on both sides down
> to the birfields one way or the other (preferably
> intact) and I was hoping
> someone would have an idea of what I will need... I
> plan on replacing all of
> the "wearable" parts while I have it apart... inner
> and outer bearings and
> any seals etc... but to be honest I am unsure what
> exactly all of that
> entails... a list of suggested parts to have on hand
> would be preferable if
> anyone has the time or inclination.  Suggestions on
> where to get parts would
> be excellent... aside from the obvious part stores. 
> (I am new at this can
> you tell? :))

Thats a dirty long job, I just did it a couple of
weeks ago.  You can buy an axle rebuild kit that
includes all the seals and gaskets as well as the
knuckle bearings... AllPro has them for around $120. 
Wheel bearings, inner and outer you can get from local
parts houses...I got Timkin for around $80.  Then you
have the birfields...used replacements run about $50
each at All Pro, Marlin or the yards, All Pro carries
a new HD joint for $129 then there are the Marfields
from Marlin or the Newfields from CV Unlimited for mid
to high $200's.  

My knuckle bearings weren't real bad, but did have
some brindling and scoring.  The streeing feel is
noticably better.  My wheel bearings and races looked
great so I didn't replace them.  I took my time, since
I hadn't taken the knuckles completely apart before
and also pulled the 3rd member, it was also a hot
summer day in TX.  I cleaned everything up, but did
not prime & paint.  I also used a die grinder to clean
up the gouges on the inside of the housing from broken
birfields and the inner axle seal mount where the PO
had removed the seal with a screwdriver or chisel. 
Total time took me about 15hrs

=====
David Morrison
Austin TX
96 BMW 328i Sedan
85 4Runner Crawler, Lifted 

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