Here are some pictures of the front axle assembly I have restored on my '81 4x4.
I'm not the mechanic that performed the restoration, however I do -now- have some knowledge on the parts and proper assembly.
When I purchased this vehicle and applied the brakes, the car dragged severely to the left.
When I went to replace the calipers, I found more black sludge than a Rockefeller. All seals were destroyed; Differential oil coming out/dirt going in/grease everywhere.
After completely disassembling the front axle, refurbishing the differential, it was time to clean the axel housing...
The vehicle was on jack stands, in my garage.
Painter's plastic was stapled to the cross beams in the ceiling of my garage and duck-taped to the floor.
Wearing a full-body trench coat and rain boots, I used a pressure washer to clean out the axel housing thoroughly of grease/mud/rocks/whatever.
Reassembly ended up more of a task that I (Or my best friend) were willing to commit weekends to, so i then had to move the rig -without a front axle- out of my garage on rolling hydralic jacks. (Fun).
You should have seen the tow-truck drivers face when he pulled up on this job Monday Morning. I bought him lunch.
Anyways, pictures with better quality to come once the truck is on all four and out of the shop.
Next step, front bumper/winch.
enjoy.
