Topic: newbie axle question

[robrub00]

i just bought a front 84 axle,  got it for a great price.   it came from a 84 pick up that was rolled.  it looks great it was from a guy who parted it out and he stored the axles from the mid 90's.  well here is my question is there any way to cheak the internals with out pulling the diff.  i locked the hubs and spun the diff flange and one spun but the other didnt. at one point i could get both to spin  but at times only one would spincould that mean the inners or ring and pinion could be bad???  thanks for the info in advance sorry for the newb question. might just have to rebuild the thing!

[jimbo74]

its fine, it means youve got an open diff, no locker.....

[Tallchevy]

It sounds like an open diff. Have someone hold one hub & turn the pinion & see if the other hubs turns. Then switch sides. Still, there is no way to tell if there is interenal damage. It will have to be torn down, or put it in & do a test run.

[kneedownnate]

At the very least I'd tear it down and check/clean everything and install a knuckle rebuild kit, especially not knowing anything about the axle.

[Tallchevy]

If it has been sitting for a while. Might as well pull it apart, regrease & seal everthing like kneedownnate said.

[alwayzbroken]

Its easier to do without it in the vehicle. Hoist that baby on the work bench and do it to it.

[robrub00 [OP]]

sounds good.  how can i cheack and make sure it is not bent or anything.  I have an 85 4runner.  I need to do a cross over swap,  the whole thing isnt running so My plan was to drive my 4runner to a buddy who has a weder, and set up this spare axle with my high steer arms etc and then just  and drag link etc then I could just swap axles becuse my curent axle has bad seals anyway.  I have a rebuild kit already i gues I shoud just  replace all the seals on this axle.   thanks for the help all. I guess I should find out if it needs inners and a birf.  sorry for the dumb question.  The 84 and 85's are both trussed the same right

[Tallchevy]

Yes, the 84 & 85 are both trussed the same. As far as your question, "The only dumb quetsion is the one you don't ask". 

[alwayzbroken]

If the axleshaft slides in and out good then the axle is fine. This excludes the longfields since some have had problems.

[Shamb]

its fine, it means youve got an open diff, no locker.....

not necessarly, if its a racheting locker like a Powerlock or Locrite then you can lift the front, spin the tire and listen to it rachet.. it'll eventually catch and lock itself into place.

If it came off a stock vehicle it probably doesn't have a locker but just because you spin a tire and both don't automatically spin doesn't mean you dont have a locker in there..

Might even be a limited slip..

[Rocksurfer]

I think we need more info on the axle, was it stock or is it modified?

Open diff (stock): when slowly spinning with both hubs locked the other axle will spin the oposite direction

Limited-slip/traction control devices (auburn): when quickly spinnining with both hubs locked the other axle will either spin in the opposite direction as an open, sit there or move in the same direction in spurts, also have someone hold the other axle they should feel a tug in the same direction you are spinning your side.

Lockers (detroits): when slowly spinning with both hubs locked both sides will spin the same direction at all times, spinning quickly may cause the opposite side to unlock and you will here a faint clicking noise. If it does spin the same direction have someone hold the opposite side, they should be able to keep that side from spinning and again you'll hear a faint clicking noise.

Selectable (airlocker): will have a threaded coupler to attach an airline to, and I'm not refering to the breather.

Spool: 100% locked 100% of the time, both side will spin at the same time and the same speed and there is no way to stop them from doing this.