replacing front axle shafts

int77345

int77345

Active member
im having to replace both front original axel shafts. pretty cool they held up for 43 years !

its been forever sense i have had the axel apart, (1997) for the 8 nuts/bolts holding on the spindle is there a torque value ? i cant remember if i torqued them or just got them tight.


replacement axel shafts and U joints are on order from IHPA
 
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I just did the same job recently. There's a torque value for just about every fastener on the rig if you care to look it up in the FSM. Experience teaches that some precise torque values are more critical than others. I agree with Zaed here. Evenly snugged, but not too tight. Use that elbow clicker.
 
Torque values are in the IH Service Manual.
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thank you all for the replies ! i dug all over my service manual and either i was to stupid to find it or some pages are missing.

zed, think the shafts i ordered are a little stronger then stock ? or about the same ?
 
Let's hope they're the same length. If not, you might have a tough time with the install.🤪 As for strength, are they chromoly or standard replacements?
 
the install went ok. alone in the garage with basic hand tools.
assembling the axels was easier then i thought. i did it with a million hits with a dead blow plastic mallet. all C clips locked in the groves. i assume that means they are set ?
2 big snags i hit was. both inner wheel bearings were seized to the spindle. i could turn the bearing so i don't think the race part was spinning on the spindle. i had no choice but to chisel cut the bearing off. the spindle looked ok, it is original.(1977) all i can figure is with all the 4 wheeling and water crossings maybe the bearing kinda rusted or corroded to the spindle. ?
i also used stage 8 locking spindle nuts. kinda a cool system
i do randonly check HUB and ROTOR temp with an infrared gun, hubs are usually 120-140 F rotors are usually 150-200
in town driving in denver stop and go. these temps are not hot enough to cook grease or cook the bearings are they?
 
That will happen when they don't get serviced soon enough after moisture incursion. Did you service the little inner spindle bearings while you were in there? They're the one's most people overlook.
 
Scoutboy74 said:
That will happen when they don't get serviced soon enough after moisture incursion. Did you service the little inner spindle bearings while you were in there? They're the one's most people overlook.
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Wildhorses Broncos or Trail Gear sell Dana 30/44 sell plastic bushing sleeves to use instead of the janky little needle bearing. I used them on mine when I put my 4340 shafts in up front. And they actually stop water intrusion along the inner shaft.
 
I'll vouch for the stage 8 spindle nuts, a bit pricey but far superior to stock. Am also a big fan of the self lubricating spindle bushings Winchested mentioned, very tight fit but never had any problems with them.
 
yes i did service the spindle bearings best i could. i dont have a tool to remove them, but i did lather them in grease and manage to rotate them around.

i have a friend with a brake lath and took one of my spindles over, mounted it on the lath and used fine grit sand papaper and a scotch brite pad. it really polished up the spindle and made it much smother sliding the bearing on. i wish i would have done it to the other side also.

scout boy74-- advice taken, i need to pack bearings alot more often
 
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