Axle Refresh

[green55]

I’ve got a case of project creep. I was originally just going to replace my auto hubs with manual hubs. Then decided to do wheel bearings and races. Then decided to do ball joints & spindle bearing and seal & axle u-joints. I feel fairly comfortable doing all that. I’m sure I’ll ask y’all stupid questions along the way but it doesn’t seem complex.

I know my pinion seal is also leaking and I don’t feel comfortable doing that. I also don’t have a press and other tools that would be required if some of the internal bearings need replace. So my question is: would it be odd to tear down the axle and remove it from the truck to take it to a shop to just check everything under the diff cover? I feel like I’d save a good bit on labor costs if they don’t have to do any tear down and only have to pop open the diff cover.

 

[stump_puller]

Would think that would be cheaper. But need to check with the shop if they want it that way.
It’s kinda like most trans shops around here want the whole truck before the rebuild a trans, has to do with warranty down the road.

 

[Chickntrk]

Pinion seal isn’t that hard of a job, and unless the axle has been filled with water there’s a real good chance the inner bearings are just fine, but like was said check with the shop first, they may not warranty the work because they didn’t do the final assembly of the axle

 

[trukman1]

When you do the seal mark the yoke and pinion with a punch and count the turns required to take off/reinstall to keep the same preload on the crush sleeve.

I called some shops in my area to install Trac Locks and all of them would only do it if I removed the differentials from the truck. Also wanted $500 each to install units.

Luckily I have a friend who does them a lot and he's going to do it for $500 for both on the truck.

Mine is an '88 with 28-spline axles so I bought new 30-spline axles to go back in as well.

Keeping the 4.10:1 gears even and cost was still $500 each.

ETA: Purchased all my components from East Coast Gear Supply and ordered the installation kit which includes all the bearings, races and seals. They were the best price I could find for Yukon parts. Hope that helps.