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 steering feel is noticeably 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
Reply email to: Davidm3286@yahoo.com
Austin TX
'96 BMW 328i Sedan
'85 4Runner Crawler, Lifted & Locked




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