Anyone rebuilt mid 80's Birfields???

[4playin]

Hey, soon as I can afford the seals, gaskets and goodies, I'm rebuilding my birfields on my 85 4runner. I was wondering if anyone here has done it before. I've heard that they suck and are a lot of work, and I've heard they don't take that long and are fairly easy. Any input before I tear into it would be cool, so I know a little bit more on what to expect.

 

[vandert]

www.pirate4x4.com

Either there or, www.4x4wire.com, those boys can answer any birfield questions.

Did a few, not to too involved.

T

 

[fourwd1]

I don't recall any seals or gaskets in a Birfield joint.
Typically there's no need to rebuild one, they either work or they're broke, and when they're broken they're not usually repairable.

 

[4playin]

I know their is a seal that people do replace, especially on the Land Cruisers, after alot of mudding eventually grit makes it in their, rebuilding/cleaning them out from time to time extends the life of the joint. I should have worded my "seals, gaskets, goodies" differently -- I need to go through front and rear axles, it sat for a year and a half while I was waiting for money to build/rebuild my engine, and I think the seals in my axles are shot. I know one in the back is because about the time I hit 1500 miles on my new engine, it started spewing out gear oil, spin art all over the inside of my rim and tire.

So I'm going to replace the seals in the rear, and up front do birfields/steering knuckles, Its the steering knuckles that I need the gaskets,felts, etc...

 

[86runner-sas]

are u sure your not talking about rebuilding the knuckles?

 

[4playin]

yeah, I'm planning on rebuilding the steering knuckles too. I asked around a bit and found out that rebuilding the birfields, is basically just tearing them apart and cleaning them up - making sure that everythings greased. I've been told that running oversized tires and doing alot of mudding, water/sand running, that you should atleast inspect them every 20,000 miles or so. But was also told not to worry about it so much, if I'm not locked up front... So while rebuilding the knuckles, I'll atleast check them out...


I thought their was more to them - the way I always hear about people "rebuilding" them...

 

[fourwd1]

OK, makes more sense now, you're rebuilding the axles.

If your 85 axle is original, it should definetly need it by now.
I've rebuilt a couple and the best way is to get the complete kit from JT Outfitters. It's $200 and has EVERY seal, gasket, and bearing you'll need, plus a bucket of grease and the elusive 54mm socket you'll need. You might want to replace the 2 brass bushings also, they're dealer only.

Important note - there are thin shims under the steering arm and bottom cap on each knuckle. Mark them so you know what side and top or bottom. They have to go back the same as they came off.

For the rear axle the only thing you really need to do is the inner seal, and if it's not leaking, don't bother. The rear axle bearing is good for 200K+ miles.

 

[4playin]

Thanx for the info!

TJ Outfitters? do they have a website?? I was checking out sky's manufacturing for steering knuckle rebuild kit, but I would rather go through everything seeing how I'm coming close to 200k. I know their is definately a rear inner-seal out. I normally do all my own work but I had ring/pinions put in about 3 years ago, because I had no idea how to do a toyota 3rd member then, and everyone I talked to made it sound like the impossible. I'm in school for yota's now, and it's pretty damn easy to do...

Anyways they replaced the rear axle bearing, but... kinda wondering the quality of it seeing how the seals are goin', but then again sitting for a while could play a bit in that...

 

[86runner-sas]

if i were i would go to www.marlincrawler.com. there customer service is awesome and will help u out with whatever u need!

 

[fourwd1]

Thanx for the info!

TJ Outfitters? do they have a website??

My bad, I reversed the initials. It's JT Outfitters

I like this kit because it has EVERYTHING you'll need. By the time you add the bearings, etc. that the others don't include, your over $200.