Need help with rear brake conversion

[scarradine]

Ok so here is my thing i am looking at converting my rear drum brakes to the disc brakes. I have an 85 k5 4 inch with 35's. my question is when taking out the axel shaft can I just pull is straight out once everything is disasimbled or do i need to go into the differential and remove the c-clip. All the instructions that I have looked at really don't say anything about that, that is my one concern. I am looking at getting the brackets from Offroaddesign.com If any one could help I would really appriecate it.

 

[PARTSGUY]

If its a full floater, once you pull the axle bolts the shaft will slide out.

 

[ccarley]

I'm guessing you probably have a 10-bolt under there? If so, yes, you need to open up the diff, pull the cross shaft out, remove the c-clips to get the axleshaft out.

I have not done this procedure yet myself, but I hear (from my manual) it helps to have another person push on the axleshaft so you can get the c-clip out.

Hope this helps,
Clay

 

[Snowy Rivers]

The job is a snap.

Get the back cover off, let the oil drain out, rotate the carrier around until you see the little cross pin retaining bolt (goes through one end of the cross pin/carrier) remove the retaining bolt then the cross pin.

Be careful not to get crazy with your rotating things, you dont want to knock the spider gears and their shim washers out.

Gently push the axle shaft in and then remove the "C" clip.

Pull the axle shaft/shafts out and your set.

Do the swapping of parts and then reverse the procedure to get it all back together.

Look the grooves in the axles over real well and the C clip too.

If the rig has been used off road a lot the axle grooves and C clips can wear and let me tell ya, if the "button" on the axle or the C clip fails, the axle comes out and its UGLY.

Look the bearing "Ride" area opver well to make sure the bearing surface is good.

The axle is the inner bearing so if its starting to brinell (rough bumpy surface) or show signs of flaking, replace the shafts and the bearings.

While your in there, replace the seals, JUST BECAUSE you can.

Have fun and keep us posted

Snowy

 

[scarradine]

Thanks a bunch guys I will surely keep you posted. Yes it is a 10 bolt I am also going to replace the front knuckles so I can put in a high steering crossover. One question how can you tell if its a full floated or a semi floated without taking off the diff cover?

 

[K85 Octane]

it's not a FF if it's a 10bolt
and you might be dumping a lot of money into a wimpy axle, unless it's a road queen, which is fine too
and if you have a 10 bolt or d44 front, you might not want to do high steer. Crossover yes, but high steer tends to put a lot of pressure on that passenger side knuckle studs. IMO

 

[Snowy Rivers]

If you are going to be wrangling this rig about in some serious off road chores, I would recommend a 14 bolt rear axle from a 3/4 ton pickup along with its mate up front.

The little 10 bolt is fine for road duties and some light 4x4 stuff, but if your gonna get to reefing on it, it will not last.

In road duty, the 10 bolts will last forever but off road its just a matter of time before it goes POP.

Even a 12 bolt rear is not all that great.

Just all depends on how much $$$$$$$$$$ you want to toss at the thing.

Snowy