Topic: front solid axle diff r&R

[toizzz]

whats the quickest and easiest way to swap the front pumpkin on an 85 solid axle.

Im looking for tips on how to do it.

Do I need to go find and buy all the seals or just pull and push and be done.

How much do I have to pull

[BigMike]

The only way to do this will be to pull both sides of your front end apart and pull each sides axle out about 5 inches out. Then you can unbolt the diff and pull it out. Sometimes the silicone can be a really pain in the royal ass :monkey: but it will eventually pop out. It's not too heavy, I would say about 40-50 lbs.

If you were having leaky knuckles before, I would definitely replace all of the seals since you have to tear in to it anyways.
Just make sure that before you put on new silicone, use some brake cleaner spray or carb cleaner spray and COMPLETELY AND 100% remove all past silicone before placing new silicone on. If you dont, it will surely leak-

BiGMike

[SeaBass44]

Quick way.....pull hubs, pull clips, pull hub bodys, then pull steering arms dissconnect the caliper, hang it so you don't mess up the brake lines,, now pull the entire knuckle off each side and slide axles out 5" or so ...pull pumpkin, should be able to do this in less then an hour....replace inner axle seals and lube birfield while at it.

[toymachine]

Be careful with the hubs, so you don't have to redoe them, though it may be a good idea to.  There are good directions for it on the internet, or im sure mike can give you some info.  It's a real pain to do those.If it is your first time, leave an open day to do it.

[BigMike]

Oh yeah, be careful when you preload your knuckles when you rebuild it if you took them apart.

What we recommend is to turn in the large (don't know the size by memory, 1.5" nut x 2) nut in all the way and get it snugged down pretty good by hand. Then, reverse your hand wrench, loosen and back the nut out a turn or so, and then lightly retighten it. Retighten it like about 50% of what you did the first time.

Then your preload is set  

Regards,
BigMike

[toymachine]

Yeah....i wish i would have known that.  
I just tightened them down real tight.


Could that be why my wheels are messed up.