Hard enough to blow the motor and leave in in the street for a year, I guess...

 

ahh women, you cant live with them and you cant live without them.

its sure is fun to watch them wheel/race though.

 

Sorry, double post

 

How to change one quickly using the Camo method

It's a big-time shortcut since you don't need to mess with the 54mm socket or wheel bearings.

I can honestly say that I haven't touched my front solid axle for any kind of breakage in 2 years of HARD wheeling (1 of them on 40's). The front hydro assist system is a different story

 

Still more steps and longer time than a CV.

Not trying to say that everyone should convert to IFS. I just find it easier to work on.

 

I don't think anyone will argue that a properly built SFA will probably have less breakage repairs than IFS, but this thread is about regular maintenance.

 

I also haven't touched it for any kind of regular maintenance for 2 years (I take that back, I did drain the gear oil halfway through year 1). Knuckles don't leak, 3rd doesn't leak, pinion doesn't leak, etc.... I've never had wheel bearing problems, trunion bearing problems or adjustments. I don't think guys that wheel IFS can say that.

 

I can

 

So can I.

 

I can as well, but I'm nowhere as built up as Tc or AxleIke.....yet.

 

there is no comparison, put 39.5's on there and see what kind of maintenance you have to do lol.

unless were talking dd, then there both the same imo.

 

Once again, you're takling repairs, not regular maintenance!

39.5's (thank you for not calling them 40's) will increase your regular maintenance regardless of if they're on IFS or SFA...

 

i think its easier to work on the sa than ifs

 

personally i do not like working on IFS.
axle ike, i don't know how you were able to get the axleshaft out leaving the knuckle still in place... i have never been able to do that. it may just be because of BJ spacers... idk.

however, as much as i may be prejudiced against my own IFS, it hasn't given me any trouble other than needing to replace the probably 18 year old ball joints and axleshafts.

but for crying out loud, i'm gonna chop that *&#% off as soon as I have the $$$

 

I think a bunch of confusion is resulting from a few of my statements.

Totally separate from each other, they are as follows:

1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.

2. I PERSONALLY find IFS easier to work on.

3. I find changing a CV much faster and easier than changing a birf. As I said, I can remove a CV, and replace with a new one without jacking the truck up, or removing a tire.

I am in NO WAY claiming IFS to be stronger or better than a solid axle. A properly built solid axle WILL take MUCH more abuse than IFS, and can stand up to 39.5's. Volcom has a properly built solid axle. I seriously doubt he'd be as maintenance free with stock stuff inside.

Cheers.

 

 

quoted for truth, however, how often do you need to align a SFA?

 

The only reason I've had to align my IFS in the past couple years is because I was replacing rusted components.

One thing to note: the ONLY alignment adjustment on a sold axle is toe. If you want camber or caster adjustments, you're out of luck.

 

you can slightly adjust caster by using shims with leaf springs, or with caster bushings on radius arms.

Major adjustment has to be done with a cut and turn. Not as simple as IFS.

But, as Dusten points out: not necessary very often.

 

on leaf sprung rigs you can also adjust it with shackles. however this lifts the rig too.
The only ifs(ish) rigs i've owned are TTB fords, and they are alignment whores, and are never happy with it.