quick question

[86strait6]

hey guys, just registered on here and wonderin if some one could give me some info.....i just pick up a 86 full size bronco 4.9 3spd auto 4x4 for a snow time beater, now i had it in 4x4 last night and was gettin some clunkin and rattlein after i took it out, i was kinda far from anywhere so i just kept drivin and once i hit about 35mph the noise went away now i havent had a chance to climb under and take a look yet but im assuming its the left front universal. my question was just to pull front axel out on these do i have to split the diff open and pull a c-clip out to let it slide out or do they use a positive retenion type set up?....any input would be apprecaited

thanks

 

[Bully Bob]

Sure ya didn't run over a jeep out there...? ) Te he

Just kidding....

 

[chameleon 73]

Sound's like the locking hub is staying locked. I had a 87 different hub stlye that made bad noises after use, it would stay locked and unlock on the way home. The axles were fine, the third member was good. I still run it all the time. Could just be the axles rubbing on something bent or a wasted driveshaft.

 

[Seabronc]

The front axles just slide in. They are not held into the differential by C clips. You need to remove the lockers, take off the outer spindle nut, locking washer, inner spindle nut, remove the outer bearing, hub and rotor (inner bearing will come out with the hub), then remove the spindle, then the axle should pull right out. (You will need a spindle nut socket for removing the nuts). When replacing the nuts, torque the inner nut to 50 ft. lb while wiggling the hub to make sure the bearings are in place. Then back it off around 1/8 to 1/4 turn and put in the locking washer, making sure the little *** on the inner nut lines up with a hole in the nut. Replace the outer nut and torque to 150 ft. lb.

I would do a little trouble shooting before going that far and make sure the problem is one of the joints first .If you put the front axle in 2H with the hubs unlocked, you should be able to turn the driveshaft by hand. Both axles should turn, if only one of the front axles moves the other axle has some sort of problem, either locked up hub or bad U-joint, (I'd first make sure the lockers are good before tearing into it any deeper).