Monday, March 14, 2011

Entry 26: Axle Swap

Eliminated all the vibration from the driveline by replacing the axle bearings and the u-jonts, however when re-installing the driveshaft on the lift the pinion flange had endplay in it (could move pinion flange around by hand between 1/8" and 1/16"). Not a significant amount but it was definitely noticeable. Took the 86 out for a drive and immediately felt/heard clunking from the axle whenever I let off the accelerator and over 45 mph. With all the vibration before I didn't notice the thunking. Something is clearly not right, after investigating learned I needed either a rebuild or a fresh axle. Could not re-use the gears because the ring wear pattern is now uneven from the floating pinon and would generate a whine, picked up a used 8.8 axle for $225. 
 
Spent 8 hours over two days this weekend pulling out the old axle, stripping it and installing the replacement one. Found it easier to unbolt the lower control arms and upper control arms at the axle, which made the swap fairly straightforward. Swapped the following over: parking brake cables, differential cover with the fill plug brazed in, full drum brake assembly with new master wheel cylinders, and brake rotors. While I had the axle out I replaced the worn shocks with a new set of Monroe Sensatrac's.
 
 

 
Swapping Axles
Old 8.8