azonecam

Hey all, I'm doing my first SAS on an 87 runner. When I took the 85 solid axle apart to rebuild it I got the birfields separated but the inner race and bearings are REALLY tight and don't want to come out. My chilton says to just tilt the race and pull the bearings out, but these are not even close to coming out that way - any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jason

tc

Um - why are you taking them apart? Are they REALLY Longfields, or just stock birfs?

But yeah, if you wanted to (and I don't see why) - you would push the retainer part at an angle until the bearings come out.

azonecam

Well - it seems the only way to clean and repack it would be to take it apart. As for whether they are really longfields, I'm just going by the LF on the bell. If there's a better way to clean and repack them without taking out the cage and race, let me know.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

IMO I wouldn't take them out.

Spray them with some brake cleaner real good after wiping off the excess grease, let them dry, pack with new grease and work it in.

azonecam

Hey - sounds like less work for me - thanks for the fast replies!

tc

x2, although I would soak them in parts cleaner first, try to get as much grease out as you can, then hit them with the brake cleaner. If you use any water, be sure to hose them down with WD40!

And I don't think those are Longs - the ones we got from him for Molly's truck were almost polished. From the pix, yours look to have the (surprisingly) rough OEM machining.

superjoe83

those are longfield stock treated birfs with the ring welded to the bell, thats why you cant take them apart, the welded ring is blocking the balls from coming all the way out

Sonofmayhem

NO that stands for LeftFRONT

azonecam

Ok, if the other one said RF I would have said I had one LongField and one RodneydangerField, but they both say LF

Lysmachia

Then I go for this answer.. meaning they are not Longfields originally but have been cryo-treated by Bobby Long... But that will explain why you can't get the bearings off!

BTW - LMAO on the Rodney Field's....

drew303

Does bobby still take stock birfs and treat them? I read a looong time ago he did this for like $100 a birf... but i forget where i read that (maybe pirate).

on the site he only sells his..

anyone know?