Topic: Short side noise, axle,birf,hub?

[The Rooster]

Hey thanks in advance for the help, I am but a humble noob looking for advice , I have an 85 efi x cab 3-in body- w/extended shackles, Detroit lockers f/r and 5.29 yukons, 4-in trailflex coming nex-wknd. I'm running 38.5's swamper's and taking it easy because I know this is a bad idea w/stock birfs and inners. My Bobby long 30 spline in's birfs and hub gears jus got here yesterday. But today i took my eldest son out to the field by our house locked it up and went for a ditch, when i went in at an angle my wheel dug in the well really hard I've done this before i just rev and take a less aggressive approach. This time rev was not an option, so i powered through. When i came up on the other side i heard a terrible grinding noise like the fender was on the wheel only it wasn't. Unlocked it rev a few feet and the noise stopped. Got it home lifted the front and locked the short side/ spun the tire it free wheeled 3/4 turn then engaged w/ alot of grinding ..and finally the question, is it likely the axle the birf or the hub. I have to tear it down eventually to put the long parts in but Ive never done anything like that and I'm a little nervous. And if its the hub I'd like to have the parts on hand to do the repair at the same time..sorry bout the novel but i didn't want to leave anything out

[dirtchicken]

Go to the Toyota section on Pirate4x4. Look in the FAQ at the top of the page and you will find a vast amount of information including how to rebuild the front axle. :thumbs:http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459180

[toynorcal]

Got it home lifted the front and locked the short side/ spun the tire it free wheeled 3/4 turn then engaged w/ alot of grinding

That right there makes it sound like you weren't getting any noises until your diff locker enguaged. If so, you may not have one anymore.

[All_Set]

Hopefully this isn't one of those, break a birf/axle/hub take out a $500 detroit.

1st, Don't drive on it until you take the birf and axle out.  Even though you were able to steer/ get it home, it is possible (if in fact the birf broke) for the birf to become lodged in the knuckle and suddenly limiting your steering.

Next, tear it apart and take pictures and post back!!  We love seeing carnage!

Oh, and most likely it was the birf.  Stockers are really weak when you're full turn and using the gas petal.  It is possible for the locker to break when a birf goes, so be sure to take a look at that too while you're in there.

There is a FSM for an '85 toy on this site (one of the stickys i believe) Print the pages for rebuilding front axle (same for all straight axles) and have at it.  

[The Rooster [OP]]

  My Detroit's oh man you're scaring me now, I just had those put in like two months ago and have never even used them off road on anything more than a dirt field maybe 4 times Ive always been gentle?? I'm hoping for a birf or hub gear since those were being replaced anyway. I need to find time to tear in....now im depressed i never would thought brand new Detroit's from something that mundane...

[DTB]

i think hes saying its a birf or something else...not the detroits..what u gotta watch out for are broken components (like a birf) in the axle making your detroits go boom boom

[The Rooster [OP]]

Gotcha thank you one of the neighborhood guys said as long as i don't engage the front axle it should be alright. I'm not a mechanic but that didn't seem right to me i guess I'll tear down and put in the long parts and take a look. BTW the noise is only emanating from what seems the knuckle, leading me to think its the birf or hub..but I'm just learning. the pirate link was awesome i will repost when i figure out what happend thanks again!!!

[SACD_Runner]

Well its true as long as your transfer case isn't ingaged. Then you birf will be spining but not locked onto the hub. So just dont put it in 4wd and you should be fine for some time, However like someone already mention, if you birf does snap off it can bind up in the knuckle and you'll be strapped in for a wild ride. Good luck, i would put my money on a bad birf. TIME for longs....