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congrats on the new house for the axle, but it belongs under the truck.lol Got mine started and it is slow going waiting on every thing. I went with the tg 4" kit as this is my first ever build of any thing like this. I am a bit intimidated by this and I have to go at it alone as most of my friends cant change a tire. good luck and measure 3 times and tac then remeasure. I am gonna start the cutting on the 92 tues or weds. waiting on the welder to get here.
good luck and I like the flag over the axle. corp to the core
X2 on Eds advice. Always tack or clamp the front Hanger until you can get some weight on it. Or on the ground at least. Welding the front Hanger is usually one of the last things that I do.
Got those rotted tires and rusty old wagon wheels off.
Right knuckle ball close up.
Left knuckle ball close up.
Slow steady progress...
Here's a tip for your pitted knuckle balls, a little pitting probably wont be a big deal but your pic looks like it may be "grooved" like my axle was. Clean them up best you can with a wire wheel then resurface them with JB Weld. Mine were as bad or worse than yours. One side had the trunion bearings completely blown which allowed the knuckles to carve a groove in the ball.
Heres the after result
It sounds hillbilly and hokey rigged but the trunions support all the load, the balls just act as a sealing surface to keep grease in and water out. After wire wheel clean them real good with alcohol or the like before applying the JB. Use emery cloth to smooth and round the hardened JB weld. Good luck, Hope this helps.
Last edited by ChinkTruck; Dec 4, 2016 at 08:44 PM.
Here's a tip for your pitted knuckle balls, a little pitting probably wont be a big deal but your pic looks like it may be "grooved" like my axle was. Clean them up best you can with a wire wheel then resurface them with JB Weld. Mine were as bad or worse than yours. One side had the trunion bearings completely blown which allowed the knuckles to carve a groove in the ball.
Heres the after result
It sounds hillbilly and hokey rigged but the trunions support all the load, the balls just act as a sealing surface to keep grease in and water out. After wire wheel clean them real good with alcohol or the like before applying the JB. Use emery cloth to smooth and round the hardened JB weld. Good luck, Hope this helps.
Thanks! It's not hillbilly at all. I have read about the JB Weld on the knuckle balls quite a bit and I planned on doing it. This axle wasn't taken care of so I knew I had my work cut out for me from the very beginning. Nothing a little patience and a lot of research here on the ol' Yotatech won't get me through.
I would suggest you buy the biggest welder you can afford. You NEED to be able to weld 1/4". I did mine on a 220v Lincoln 170. On many sections I had it cranked all the way up. I am paranoid but I did not want to be busting welds on the trail. There are tricks you can use like root passes and preheating etc but if you dont have a competent welder working with you I would go bigger than you need to guarantee your penetration is on point! I am not saying the Hobart 140 cant do it but just be double sure before you close the deal.
Building the axle was my favorite part. Try and find a place to buy grinding discs in bulk....youre gonna need em lol.
Heya,
So much in common =]
Got my axle in 09/16 and procrastinated 2 years before getting started on the started.
Funny fact, I fixed my A/C yesterday haha; well it only needed a refill - The compressor wasn't starting but that was because of the refrigerant pressure switch which I had no idea existed (compressor won't start if the refrigerant pressure is too low).
Heya,
So much in common =]
Got my axle in 09/16 and procrastinated 2 years before getting started on the started.
Funny fact, I fixed my A/C yesterday haha; well it only needed a refill - The compressor wasn't starting but that was because of the refrigerant pressure switch which I had no idea existed (compressor won't start if the refrigerant pressure is too low).
Good luck!
Seems like it is taking forever but to be honest life happens sometimes. I have the axle and when the time is right the SAS will too. Being in the military makes it challenging to balance time with my family when I am home so I'll get to it. Hell, I enjoy any wrenching I get to do doesn't matter what it is.
Been trying to clean it up before I disassemble the right side. As you can see this thing was neglected for a LOOOOONNGG time. Not to worry though. We'll get er' done right.
Oct 9, 2016 | 06:08 PM
