i'm currently rebuilding an 82 SFA that will be swapped into my runner...i have a few questions, that i can't seem to find the answers for. any help would be great.
1. how do i remove the birf from the inner shaft? i already released the snap ring, but it seems like there is one on the inside?
2. on the knuckle balls on the housing there is some pitting of the metal...should it be machined off or just cleaned off the best as possible?

 

there is another ring in there and you have to use a brass punch and hammer to separate the two. BOTH mine where a total pain in the ass.
If you check Marlins site on the axle section you will see there are two snap rings for sale. One is the one you got off and can see the other is the one you cant. Both my inner ones broke. I think there is no other way to get them to separate. However, I could be wrong.
Check the FSM for a more thorough instruction.

as far as the knuckle ball pitting go here - https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f152...itting-162643/

 

ahhh...cool thanks

 

Other way to separate the birf. is to drop it down into a tube repeatedly until the inner axle pops out. I use a 2.5" square steel tube, just a bit longer than the long side inner axle. Tube is large enough to allow the outer ring of the birf. housing to contact it. Two key points are to put the tube on some solid material, like a concrete driveway or sidewalk. Dirt or asphalt is too soft and the birf will just bounce. Then put a scrap of wood or cardboard inside the bottom of the tube to protect the end of the inner axle when it pops free. I usually start out at 6" height and drop the birf. If it fails to separate, gradually increase the drop height until it does.

I used some sanding wheels in my grinder to clean up the knuckle ball surface, working from coarse to fine grit.

 

Crap
Thats a good idea with the tube. I wish I had read this back then.