Axleshaft Removal on Early Closed Knuckle D60

[broncobuster37]

Getting to work on my first axle project, not the best choice, but a D60 none-the-less to get to know. I'm having trouble getting the axleshafts off, I've loosened all of the bolts at the hub, gotten the brakes off, but I'm thinking I need to start at the differential.

Where should I start on this?... and yes I know I'm stupid :flipoff2:

[broncobuster37]

Apparently this axle is so old and unwanted that nobody seems to know what I should do, or you're just ignoring this thread :flipoff2:

I know the closed knuckle D60 makes everybody go :laughing: :( :eek: :laughing: but I still need to figure out the disassembly.

[welndmn]

You left out, what part your stuck at.
Do you have the spindles and what not already removed and still can't slide the axles out?

[broncobuster37]

No spindles are still on, I've removed and loosened all of the bolts that I could but still nothing is budging.

[JJS]

if you have removed the spindle nuts, it's sounds like you need to give the spindle some coercing. try a thin pry bar *lightly* unless you want to buy new spindles.

[welndmn]

Ok, So you can't get the spindles off right? (nothing else in front of it?)
Lossen all the bolts and get a soft blow hammer and a block of wood and just tap the spindle.

[broncobuster37]

Nah the hub is still stuck on but all of the bolts are loosened. I'm not sure if this is the case where the hub is the spindle. This is all new to me (I know should've gone in the Newbie section but I get faster responses here). I'd get some pics and show you where I'm stumped but I'm sort of out of town right now.

[broncobuster37]

Ok finally got home to get some pics, here you go. As you notice in the first one I have gotten all of the bolts loosened on the backing plate, but they are too long and the hub blocks me from getting them all of the way out.

On the rear shot I have taken all of the bolts out from the knuckle, but it still won't give way (and yes I'm aware that the tie rod is still attached but I'm working on that) I don't have a pickle fork and that thing is impervious to a hammer (seriously, that sucker won't move either).

So where do I go from here?

http://www.geocities.com/milleniumsim37/axleshaft.html

[Mr.N]

Take the Hub off first.

Pop that cap off

[broncobuster37]

All right that S.O.B. is coming off first thing in the morning... after I wake up at 1 p.m. God I love 24th of July (Holiday only in Utah suckas).

[f250crawler]

so u guys have a holiday on my birthday in utah to?

[broncobuster37]

Possibly...

Anyways is there any quicker ways of getting this cap off, I've been going at it with a hammer and chisel for the last 45 minutes and very little budge.

[welndmn]

does it have a snap ring?

[broncobuster37]

That's what I've been looking for, I have to go grab my degreaser. Now the question is if I have a small enough screwdriver around to pop that sucker out if there is one.

[broncobuster37]

All right I got the cap off and the first snap ring which eliminates the flange and spring. Now I can see what looks like a lock ring directly in front of the bearing but I don't see any way of prying it out. I'm wondering if I can't just pull the entire hub assembly out because the axleshaft has plenty of play in it now. But that frickin ring is becoming a PITA.

[Mr.N]

All right I got the cap off and the first snap ring which eliminates the flange and spring. Now I can see what looks like a lock ring directly in front of the bearing but I don't see any way of prying it out. I'm wondering if I can't just pull the entire hub assembly out because the axleshaft has plenty of play in it now. But that frickin ring is becoming a PITA.
Careful if you want to re-use this stuff!

I've never done a Close Knuckle Dana 44, but from the Dana stuff I have it looks similar (From memory, my book are packed for the move)

Try looking at my old drums on a 44, it will be kind of close to your set up. (Bolts holding the spindle on and such) http://www.4x4axleinfo.com/Mr.N44.htm

[AllGoNoShow]

Go buy some snap ring plyers...or remove the 8 kingpin bolts (4 top, 4 bottom) and the whole assembly can come off of the housing

[Pilk]

to remove the axle shaft, you must remove the hub. This entails, the lockout cap or shaft cover if you dont have manual lockouts but it is full time. Then you must remove the axle lock ring, this is a snap-ring on the axle, next you need to bend the lock ring away from the bearing lock nut, this is normally done with a small chisel, or flat screw driver and hammer, GENTLY... then remove the lock-nut, remove the lock ring, the one you just straitened, then the bearing retaining nut, slide entire hub off of spindle, carefull not to drop the outer bearing......then remove spindle bolts, tap spindle, Carefull here, there is a small bearing in the inside end of the spindle, remove spindle, then wiggle axle out of housing......

this is just from memory, so you might want to get a book......I have done it once......lol.

[broncobuster37]

Yeah I'm up to the lock nut and I've bent three mini screwdrivers trying to get that sucker out. After that comes out the rest should fall into place. Would I be able to swap these hubs out (housing and all) to some newer lockouts or are the spline counts different in the later years.

[82F100SWB]

Dude... You've gotta go and buy the socket to get the locknut off, a mini screwdriver ain't gonna do it. LOL

[AllGoNoShow]

Yeah the mini screwdriver will NOT cut it, especially if the previous owner cranked down with a locknut socket. I have done it with a screwdriver before but not with what I would call a ''mini'' screwdriver.

[broncobuster37]

Goddamnit I hate buying special tools on a limited budget.

[broncobuster37]

Yay, got that damn lock ring out, my friends dad had the tool in his garage. But now that ring behind it is giving me crap. I know this belongs in the newb section, but we all had to start somewhere. :smokin:

[Mr.N]

But now that ring behind it is giving me crap. Make sure it doesn't have a couple small phillips screws in it, I've only seen this once.

$2 cleaner, spray and look.


Else two small screw drivers....and time.

[broncobuster37]

Gee, let me go see if I have any left that I haven't bent and/or otherwise fucked up.

[broncobuster37]

All right finally got the Mofo. Turns out once again I'm an idiot (surprise). Just stuck a screwdriver in and peeled the next ring off to find a second lock ring. But this one was so loose I just unscrewed it by hand, then pulled the spindle off and got the shaft out (talk about a grease bomb). Anyways thanks for all of your patience I appreciate the help. :grinpimp:

[Mr.N]

All right finally got the Mofo. Turns out once again I'm an idiot (surprise). Just stuck a screwdriver in and peeled the next ring off to find a second lock ring. But this one was so loose I just unscrewed it by hand, then pulled the spindle off and got the shaft out (talk about a grease bomb). Anyways thanks for all of your patience I appreciate the help. :grinpimp:
Good to hear you got it!

Same for a 60 and a 44
http://www.4x4axleinfo.com/img/Dana44/buildup/buildup_F_spindles_washer.jpg
My custom tool is shoved into a hole of the axle nut washer, then pulled out. A second screwdriver is use to hold the opposite side to the washer in place as I walk the washer out.
I've ran into a washer that was held in place by three small Phillips screws, that could only be seen after removing the grease. So look carefully.
Tip: The washer will not spin, it has an inner tap that slip in a slot of the spindle. This can be a bear to remove.

[broncobuster37]

Yeah that's the ring, but mine I was just able to pry out with a single screwdriver inserted into one of the holes.