Topic: Marfields and Axles or a Birfield Eliminator Kit.

[dj94546]

After ripping into the front axle I've found my spindles, and axles are shot, as well as the the birfields being borderline ok. If I go with marfields and shafts from Marlin and new spindles from Toyota I'm looking at about $810.

If I go with a birfiled eliminator kit it will only cost $639 and I get the spindles included. I'm only running 31" tires and just looking for a little better than a stock replacement. Longfields will have to wait.

Is the birfield eliminator worth the saved money? Does anyone think it'll me more of a headache than just keeping the birfields and staying stock. Thanks for you responses.

[jimbo74]

form what i have heard the birf elimintaor kit does eliminate the birfs, but just gives you a youe to snap the ears off of..... with birfs, you know someone on a trail run with you has a spare.....

[BigMike]

In my opinion and from experience, the Birfeld Eliminator Kit is weaker than factory Toyota Birfelds. D44 axles, although originally sold on a vehicle with the same tire size as the Hilux truck, is weaker than a Birfeld. Not only do I think they are weaker, but they are not a constant velocity joint (non-linear torque transfer depending on angel of rotation) and cause an increase in axle vibration which shortens seal life.

You would be much much much better picking up a set of used spindles for $20 instead of trying to buy new ones from the dealer. The Bronze bushings can be replaced, but even high mileage units are ok since 4WD is so seldomly used above 30 MPH anyways.

Out of curiosity, how much are those new spindles from the dealer?

[IronClad]

break a birf elim and  see how much it rocks.. gotta change out the spindle just to stick a birf back in..

[BigMike]

I guess I would rather worry about how hard it will be to replace the birfield instead of actually replacing D44s all day long

No not really, Im sure that 9 out of 10 times both setups would break doing the same thing

[dj94546 [OP]]

Thanks for the reply guys! Sounds like it comes down to which is easier to service when it breaks and personal preference. Birfield are a PITA to replace as evidenced on my bench. The dealer wants $200 each for the spindles. I'll see if I can get one used.

Does anyone have any experience on breaking the u-joints. Did it do much damage to the axle housing? I got one side chewed up from a broken birfield and it's not pretty. Curious to know how bad a grenaded u-joint would tear things up in there.

[IronClad]

it can chew it up just as bad.. with how the ujoint and axles break you would have larger parts floating around if you broke a birf and the bell stayed intact. 

with the eleminator kit you arent gonna be able to keep inner seals in that sucker.. granted its hard to do with birfs but its much harder with the 44 shafts  with how during a turn  the axles actually move up/down and side to side.   just stick to birfs its  a much better idea. and birfs are NOT hard to replace.  it can be done on the trail in 20 mins.

[jimbo74]

given my limited knowledge with birfs, they arent hard to replace at all...... i helped a friend install his


im saying stay birf.... the ujoint wont be the issue im making breaking ujoints are easy to replace, its when you snap an ear off of the axle, holding hte u joint, the problem is, they sell those in kits, and they arent a standrd item, so locating an extra 1 side you need will be almost near impossible

[dj94546 [OP]]

Thanks all for your input. I'm gonna go with the marfields and stay stock birf'd then. One question though. How do you take the birfields apart. We've removed the otter clip and have been beating on it with a brass punch like it the FSM manual to no avail. If I could get them apart I'd like them alot more.

[abnormaltoy]

Thanks for the reply guys! Sounds like it comes down to which is easier to service when it breaks and personal preference. Birfield are a PITA to replace as evidenced on my bench. The dealer wants $200 each for the spindles. I'll see if I can get one used.

Does anyone have any experience on breaking the u-joints. Did it do much damage to the axle housing? I got one side chewed up from a broken birfield and it's not pretty. Curious to know how bad a grenaded u-joint would tear things up in there.

Here Brian has used spindles http://frontrangeoffroadfab.com/nfoscomm/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=66&osCsid=40680f0219421ff4890a1cd715ccb9e6

One thing about the Birf eliminator that is kit is definitely going to be a problem is when (not if) you break them on a trail 100 miles from nowhere is...where are you going to get a spare? I would think long and hard about NOT getting the eliminator kit.
Mark

[dj94546 [OP]]

Whats the trick on separting the brifield from the inner shaft? My friend Johnny is gonna need another six pack to keep beating on this thing

[abnormaltoy]

Whats the trick on separting the brifield from the inner shaft? My friend Johnny is gonna need another six pack to keep beating on this thing

Try this
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/minutemods/birfield_separator_tool/
Mark

[IronClad]

hold the shaft and smack the bell with a hammer.. what ive always done..  or  open yer vise up a bit so the axle will go through and you arent hitting the cage and just slam the birf down by holding the axle shaft.

[dj94546 [OP]]

Thanks for the birfield tool link and the vise trick. We will try the vise trick now. I'll go to the hardware store and buy some pipe and parts as soon as I can if we are still frustrated.

Also thanks to all for the replies and talking me out of the birfield eliminator kit.  I just bought 2 marfields and 2 spindles from Marlin and inner shafts from Alllpro (Marlin was backordered for 2 weeks  ). So I'm all set on parts to go it again. Thanks again.

[dj94546 [OP]]

Just got back from the hardware store. The tool rocks! Two wacks and were done.