Front Straight Axle Replacement?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: Gunbarrel, Co.
Front Straight Axle Replacement?
I'm replacing my front axle with another straight axle. I thought this would be a simple nuts & bolts thing, but was told it's a bit more involved and I would not be able to do it my garage. Anyone here with some experience with replacing an axle? Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: Gunbarrel, Co.
So the king pin is the big deal?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,173
Likes: 4,780
From: Burbank, WA
I'm curious what the person that told you you couldn't do it gave you for a reason why? It's not rocket science. Once you get past the stuck parts and rusty bolts, and hope you don't break anything, it's all just r & r nuts and bolts. If you support the frame on jack stands behind the rear eye of the front spring, you could roll the assembly right out the front on a floor jack.
If you're swapping the spindles too, you'll have to pull the king pin, and there's a retainer bolt that holds that in. That could give you some rust grief, too.
If you're swapping the spindles too, you'll have to pull the king pin, and there's a retainer bolt that holds that in. That could give you some rust grief, too.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 2
From: AZ
What he said...It is really simple...though a few bolts have given me some fits and I am still trying to get those blasted king pins out. I think I will have a shop press them out as they have been soaking for days in PB blaster with no budging. Go for it man.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 82
From: Utah
I bent the solid bar that comes off the bottom of the cheap HF 12? ton shop press trying to get the king pins out. I haven't touched the axle since.
I think I heard you can try heating up the area around the pins to help get them out but have not tried it, I know it has been discussed here before but don't remember how long ago.
I say swap away. worst case senario is you take the axle to a shop to have the King Pins pressed and if you need any reeming etc you would probably be taking it in to them anyway.
let us know how it turns out as I still have my new king pins still in the plastic bag they came in
I think I heard you can try heating up the area around the pins to help get them out but have not tried it, I know it has been discussed here before but don't remember how long ago.
I say swap away. worst case senario is you take the axle to a shop to have the King Pins pressed and if you need any reeming etc you would probably be taking it in to them anyway.
let us know how it turns out as I still have my new king pins still in the plastic bag they came in
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
It's VERY easy Marty. I just did mine and with the exception of the kingpin bushings, did it all myself. And I was amazed at how easy it was.
The kingpin bushings are no big deal either, they just need to be reamed, or better wet honed, to fit the kingpins snugly but not bind.
I took mine to a shop and they had them done in 4 hours and it cost me about $100.
As far as changing out the axel itself, unbolt the U-bolts to the springs and it will fall off.
Here are two threads about the process:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-end-savy.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...build-kit.html
First one is discussion - tie rod ends, axel, brakes, kingpins, springs, etc.
Second one is a list of parts. Be sure to buy new u bolts, and be careful of your castor shims between the axel and spring.
Super easy to do Marty. You can do it all in a day.
The kingpin bushings are no big deal either, they just need to be reamed, or better wet honed, to fit the kingpins snugly but not bind.
I took mine to a shop and they had them done in 4 hours and it cost me about $100.
As far as changing out the axel itself, unbolt the U-bolts to the springs and it will fall off.
Here are two threads about the process:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-end-savy.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...build-kit.html
First one is discussion - tie rod ends, axel, brakes, kingpins, springs, etc.
Second one is a list of parts. Be sure to buy new u bolts, and be careful of your castor shims between the axel and spring.
Super easy to do Marty. You can do it all in a day.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
julie you must be blessed because it aint easy !!!! my hands still hurt from wrestling with the pins in my spare axle , and i too bent a press in my son in laws dad's shop trying to get the consarned things out !!!!!!!!!!! i haven't given up , but have went out and found me a real BIG BF-N H to fix this little problem !!!!!!!!!!!
i will win , but wether the axle is useable well ............... and pulling one and putting another axle in is easy , like they said after you argue with 50 plus years of rust etc. on them and the fasteners .
i will win , but wether the axle is useable well ............... and pulling one and putting another axle in is easy , like they said after you argue with 50 plus years of rust etc. on them and the fasteners .
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
HD74 axles are easy...yeah right well sorta like everyone mentioned the hardest part may be getting the king pins out, I had mine done by a shop about 9 years ago so it was easy for me to change my axle when I went to the stretched one. As mentioned above you can easily take the exle off and take it to a shop to have the king pins and bushings installed that's probably your easiest way to go to ensure its done right. I would also go with the heavy duty tie rod my $.02
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Yeah but...
Kevin there's a big difference between an axel that had been sitting for years with the pins rusted in and the one on the truck hat has (at least some) grease on it and has been shaken and used recently.
I put on a dash of Auto trans fluid, tapped th ebottom with a hammer once and pulled the pin out with my fingers. Lucky, probably, but you have to start with parts that are in a restorable condition. It sounds like you need to find another axel!
Try heating the pins up, then letting them cool, then heating up the axel and keeping the pin cool and pushing them out again.
If all else fails, pack the axel end in dry ice for a couple of hours to freeze (and shrink) the kingpin - then heat the axel around the pin with a torch (evenly). BUT if you do this do not hit the axel or pin with a hammer, it will shatter - press it out. The pin should come out easily. If it doesn't get a different axel.
Kevin there's a big difference between an axel that had been sitting for years with the pins rusted in and the one on the truck hat has (at least some) grease on it and has been shaken and used recently.
I put on a dash of Auto trans fluid, tapped th ebottom with a hammer once and pulled the pin out with my fingers. Lucky, probably, but you have to start with parts that are in a restorable condition. It sounds like you need to find another axel!
Try heating the pins up, then letting them cool, then heating up the axel and keeping the pin cool and pushing them out again.
If all else fails, pack the axel end in dry ice for a couple of hours to freeze (and shrink) the kingpin - then heat the axel around the pin with a torch (evenly). BUT if you do this do not hit the axel or pin with a hammer, it will shatter - press it out. The pin should come out easily. If it doesn't get a different axel.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Are you just swaping the axle itself or the whole assembly, spindles and all? All here are right depending on which scenario you are doing. Replacing the whole assembly is pretty easy.
If you are replacing only the axle, using spindles from a different axle, you should rebush the kingpins while it is apart. Mixing used kingpins and bushings from different axles is not a good idea. It is recommended you let an automotive machine shop replace and hone the bushings and reinstall the kingpins.
If you are replacing only the axle, using spindles from a different axle, you should rebush the kingpins while it is apart. Mixing used kingpins and bushings from different axles is not a good idea. It is recommended you let an automotive machine shop replace and hone the bushings and reinstall the kingpins.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Weston-super-Mare (UK)
You can do it yourself - as said the only potentially difficult bit is those kingpins. I did mine with no previous experience at all. One kingpin came out easy, the other was properly not moving for anything. Luckily my dad is a maintenance engineer and took it to work with him (he managed to slowly drill it out bit by bit on a pillar drill). He then reamed the bushings for me and job sorted.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: Gunbarrel, Co.
Are you just swaping the axle itself or the whole assembly, spindles and all? All here are right depending on which scenario you are doing. Replacing the whole assembly is pretty easy.
If you are replacing only the axle, using spindles from a different axle, you should rebush the kingpins while it is apart. Mixing used kingpins and bushings from different axles is not a good idea. It is recommended you let an automotive machine shop replace and hone the bushings and reinstall the kingpins.
If you are replacing only the axle, using spindles from a different axle, you should rebush the kingpins while it is apart. Mixing used kingpins and bushings from different axles is not a good idea. It is recommended you let an automotive machine shop replace and hone the bushings and reinstall the kingpins.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Well, The kingpins may come right out or they may stick - and how much you won't know until you try it!!!!!
And, take my word for it. It may be quite a bit harder to get the new kingpins in the new axel as it was to get the old ones out. Be sure to "hone" the axel tube for the kingpins clean before you try it.
One more thing. There is a bearing that goes between axel and spindle body. There are no instructions on installing these bearings - the flat surface goes up! You'll know what I mean when you see it. And buy lots of shims (at least 6) for inthere as well. I used 2 on one side and 3 on the other. You'll know what I mean when take your old one apart. Take note of the bearing position and the shim positions when you disassemble - take pictures first!
And, take my word for it. It may be quite a bit harder to get the new kingpins in the new axel as it was to get the old ones out. Be sure to "hone" the axel tube for the kingpins clean before you try it.
One more thing. There is a bearing that goes between axel and spindle body. There are no instructions on installing these bearings - the flat surface goes up! You'll know what I mean when you see it. And buy lots of shims (at least 6) for inthere as well. I used 2 on one side and 3 on the other. You'll know what I mean when take your old one apart. Take note of the bearing position and the shim positions when you disassemble - take pictures first!
