Dropping front axle

[tarafied1]

Dropping front axle (with pictures)

my 2000 Expy has 4 wheel drive but my wife got stuck the other day in our yard when it was wet and muddy. I couldn't figure out why the front wasn't working. I had an F150 that had the vacuum control go bad but the Expy is full time 4x4. I jacked it up and could see that the passenger side axle shaft was not engaged. I could slide it in but it would come back out about an inch when I drove it. Since I can't pull the cover with the differential in the truck I decided to yank it out today. I pulled the cover and found the snap ring for that axle was broken.

 

[toms89]

Please take photos when you open up differential. I plan to do gear swap soon and it may help.

Thanks..

 

[tarafied1]

sure thing!

 

[tarafied1]

here is the diff opened up...

passenger side stub axle slid right out
this is the broken snap ring

hard to see but the driver's side stub axle is still installed with the snap ring in place

splines are a little buggered up on the shaft

 

[jdan]

Looks like a cheap fix. New snap ring and your good to go!

 

[tarafied1]

that's what I was thinking too. I was afraid the axle was broke or things would be chewed up but other than the splines right at the end of the axle and some metal fines (which I can flush out) I think everything is okay.

 

[sgtowing]

You should leave it out right now and put in ARB air locker in while you have it out.

 

[tarafied1]

You should leave it out right now and put in ARB air locker in while you have it out.

OK, let me PM you my mailing address so when you order it they can drop ship it to my house!

seriously though I would love to. I have a limited slip (clutch type) from an 8.8 rear axle sitting in my garage but I have researched and it seems that it will not work properly in the front.

 

[sgtowing]

OK, let me PM you my mailing address so when you order it they can drop ship it to my house!

seriously though I would love to. I have a limited slip (clutch type) from an 8.8 rear axle sitting in my garage but I have researched and it seems that it will not work properly in the front.

If its getting drop shipped anywhere, its coming to my house.

Why wont the ls work?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[tarafied1]

From what I have read, the clutch type diff will not work because when the truck is not using the front axle the spider gears are spinning in opposite directions. The clutches are spring loaded and will be trying to engage when this is going on and will cause them to wear out prematurely as well as make the left wheel pull.
This is all from other forums so I don't know for sure but I was researching it since I have it apart and have the parts.
They if you have manual hubs that can be unlocked it will work but that sounds like too much trouble.

 

[tonydiv]

You're right, when you have a center axle disconnect system, you can only use a selectable locker, if you're going to drive it on the street. If you had an ls diff in it, you're mileage would drop way down from spinning all that front drive line. The truck would also handle a bit funny, it would want to keep going straight. I used to feel this with my Scout, which had a LS diff in it. If I left the hubs locked, it was really hard to make small adjustmets and the thing would become a handfull to drive.

 

[tarafied1]

thanks for weighing in, that's the kind of thing I read on some F150 forums. I don't want that. Mainly my wife drives it. She works for the School and only drives a mile or two a day. I only abuse it when we take some vacation time. I tow a 27' camper and do a little off road. Nothing too dramatic. It has a LS in the rear but probably needs new clutches because with the front disabled it gets stuck real easy. After I fix the front I am going to take a look at the rear axle, it's the bigger 9.75.

 

[tarafied1]

it's all back together! pulled a post out the ground testing it, works great!!!

 

[walnuts4x4]

now you wanna come over and install a set of 4.88s in mine?? expy is sitting in the driveway...lol

 

[tarafied1]

now you wanna come over and install a set of 4.88s in mine?? expy is sitting in the driveway...lol

you know, it wasn't as bad as i thought.
I also rebuilt the 9" diff in my 67 Mustang so my hands are well soaked in gearlube. Since the smell will last a while I might as well take apart another axle or two!
4.88's, now that's some serious gear ratio!

 

[toms89]

I am sure you could put a limited slip in there since the 2000 expy lacks the center axle disconnect. But it would fight you trying to turn since the wheels would resist speed differential at all times regardless if its in 4wd or not.

Thanks for taking the photos!!

 

[jdan]

You're right, when you have a center axle disconnect system, you can only use a selectable locker, if you're going to drive it on the street. If you had an ls diff in it, you're mileage would drop way down from spinning all that front drive line. The truck would also handle a bit funny, it would want to keep going straight. I used to feel this with my Scout, which had a LS diff in it. If I left the hubs locked, it was really hard to make small adjustmets and the thing would become a handfull to drive.

Very true! I put a automatic locker in the front diff of my jeep when it was a DD. drive in 2wd like it was not there. One day got a big snow storm.. Engaged 4H and it fought with me even on slippery snow packed roads.

 

[CARO'S98EB]

A true track style diff will also work. the new Raptor has this in the front.