Dropping the Front IFS

[Quatre Coureur]

Dropping the IFS

So I'm swapping my ifs with a 4.88 one I got out of the junkyard. My problem is I can't seem to drop it out without the axle studs getting hung up on the CVs. I tried searching but it was all about pulling the cvs. Mine are good, I just don't want to trash them if I don't have to. It's my first time doing this. I've followed the FSM. It says unbolt the 6 bolts holding the CVs, then unbolt the 3 bolts holding the diff in. It should pop right out. Right!!! These Fn studs are pissing me off! I've pulled back the CVs as far as they'll go. Am I missing something? :boom:

 

[Hyde802]

Use a long bar or pipe and pound the studs out. They are just splined and should pop right out.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Thank u so much! I really appreciate the tip! Tbh I was afraid to ask...

 

[KidVermicious]

Yes, drive the studs out. Then grind off the splines or replace them with grade 8 bolts so you don't have to do it again when you break a CV on the trail.

 

[Footofgod]

Yup, replace them with the grade 8 bolts!!! Make sure you use loctite when you do.

 

[Footofgod]

Use a long bar or pipe and pound the studs out. They are just splined and should pop right out.

They should, but I know from experience, that is not always the case. The ones in the Minnow were insane. Glad I replaced them with bolts.

 

[KidVermicious]

They should, but I know from experience, that is not always the case. The ones in the Minnow were insane. Glad I replaced them with bolts.

I couldn't pound them out from under the truck either. I had to disconnect the upper ball joint on one side and move the spindle outboard to make the CV clear the studs. I pounded them out after I removed the halfaxles.

I've seen guys claim to not have to pound studs or remove balljoints. I think anybody that manages to drop a CV that easy has a pact with the devil or something.

 

[88yota]

When I switched to 4.88s I took a grinder to the studs and they worked perfect when I reinstalled them

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Thank u Hyde, KV, FOG, and 88yota. I really appreciate the advice. It will make it so much easier to reinstall too. I was wondering how in the hell I was gonna simultaneously line up 12 bolts while raising it up...:doh: Again, thank u all sooo much!