i have a 4wd and have been launching in 4wd with a whipple for a year now, lately with a yank and a 6.0 ontop of that. i developed a howl from my front end, at first just in 4wd but now all the time. i think i see the problem, i can move the output flange on the drivers side of the front diferential about 1/2 up and down, there is a little oil leakage there also.

how bad is this, anyone else ever see this problem??

 

Edit: If its the output shaft, there is a bearing in there also. The bearing housing will spin out of the axle housing with a special tool. The bearing and output shaft stub can be replaced separate.

You mean where the driveshaft connects to the front differential? That would be called the pinion yoke, if its loose you have bad pinion bearings. Not a good thing --- especially considering the damage done if a bearing race spun in the aluminum housing. Your best bet would probably be to have a 4x4 shop rebuilt it, they probably have more experience than a GM Dealer or and other shop for that matter. Your other option would be a used front axle, just make sure the gear ratio is the same or you'll take out the transfer case next <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<small>[ June 13, 2002, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: -Joseph- ]</small>

 

no, i mean the output shaft/flange, where it goes to toward the wheel. same diference though. any idea if there are any needle bearings or anything like that in there? if it isn't going to fall into 100 pieces when i take it apart i will just take it apart myself and see how bad it is. if the housing is trashed then i will price a used one.

 

Its supposed to be a caged roller needle bearing, that axle hub has a snap ring that holds it into the housing - it pops right out with a little prying, like a FWD halfshaft. You'll probably have to drop the axle housing to tear into it. I can probably get you the service manual pics and stuff if you need it.

 

Here you go Jim. This may be the same info Joseph is going to get for you (or maybe not): (copied directly from the service manual) At least it gives you a feel for what is in there.-

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle using safety stands.
2. Remove the wheel drive shaft assembly.
3. Drain the front axle. 4. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
5. Remove the axle shaft (output shaft) tube nuts (2) from the bracket (1).
6. Remove the bracket bolts from the frame. Do not remove the bracket (1). The bolts are removed in order to provide clearance.

<img src="http://www.jade-co.com/shaft.jpg" alt=" - " />

7. Remove the axle shaft (output shaft) bolts (11) from the carrier.

Important
Keep the open end of the tube (5) up.

8.Remove the axle shaft (output shaft) tube (5) from the carrier. Ensure the spring (16) is not lost during removal.
9. In a vise, hold the axle shaft (output shaft) tube (5) by the mounting flange.
10. Remove the following components:
- - The shift shaft (12)
- - The damper spring (13)
- - The fork 14)
- - The clip assembly (15)
11. Remove the sleeve (9).
12. Remove the gear (7).
13. Remove the thrust washer (6).
14. Remove the axle shaft (output shaft) (1). Tap out the axle shaft (output shaft) with a soft mallet.
15. Remove the deflector (2). Pry out the deflector with a screwdriver.
16. Remove the seal (3). Pry out the seal with a screwdriver.
17. Remove the bearing (4). Use the J 29369-1 and a slide hammer.
18. Clean the parts in suitable solvent.
19. Clean the gasket surfaces on the axle shaft (output shaft) tube and carrier housing.

Good luck
Richard

 

thanks for the pic's that is alot of help. i just pulled out the output shaft, it looks ok, i can reach in and feel the roller bearing but i am not sure what i am feeling for. can these things actualy wearout? i can grab that output flange and move it about 1/4 inch so something is wrong for sure.

what suports the spline end of that flange? could it be worn out or is it just that needle bearing, what part of that bearing would wear out so that i could move that shaft 1/4 of an inch? do the rollers wear down? the race wear down? it just doesn't seem like the rollers could get any smaller unless they were really dryt and just grinding away so that is why i ask about the suport for the splined end of the shaft

<small>[ June 14, 2002, 04:21 PM: Message edited by: parish8 ]</small>

 

The splined end is supported by the spider side gears in the differential case. I haven't really seen any go bad unless they were run out of oil. Hmm...

 

i think i have bigger problems, i put a new bearing in there and it is the same, really sloppy, i dont think it is moving in the bearing, just pivioting and doing most of the moving on the splined end.

in a rear diferential the spider gears are held in place by the axle, there is only one bearing on this short front (axle?) there is about an inch or so of the case that it rides in(or on) and i think that the case might be expected to suport the splined end of the shaft, it might be the problem or is there some kind of suport for spider gear?

 

ok, i was about to go and buy a used front diferential and just get it over with untill i found out they want $600+ for one so i decided to tear mine apart before i went and spent that kind of loot. i am glad i did because i think i can fix this, both carier bearings are completly shot, the oil had a nasty green tint and was prety runny, the drain plug had about an inch of metal on it. i am going to clean it all up and throw in some new bearings and see how that works, i am prety sure it will work for a while but not sure how long, i plan on using the 4wd launch still. at least untill the case explodes or something like that.