What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

using 8 lug 10 bolt parts on 6 lug 10 bolt, also broken bolt on 14 bolt

C

chevyguy82

Registered Member
Joined
May 11, 2008
Posts
95
Reaction score
1
Location
topeka, kansas
i picked up axles from an 80 3/4 ton pickup to put in my 82 k5. rear is a 14 bolt FF and front is a corporate 10 bolt. can i take the parts out of my stock front axle and swap carrier, axle shafts, calipers and rotors? or do i have to take the knuckles off. trying to decide if i want to put the whole new axle in my truck or just swap parts. i plan on reusing my detroit ez locker in the 8 lug axle. ball joints on new axle are shot and stock axle are good. also would have to remove u bolts and steering arm and swap them. looking for the easiest way possible. also while rebuilding the 14 bolt, i managed to break off a bolt on the top left of the diff cover. i used lots of rtv and no gasket when putting the cover on and sealed where the bolt would go. should i remove the cover and try to remove the broken bolt? or leave it in see if it leaks? didn't know how soon it would leak. being on the top i wouldn't think it would leak. thanks for the help.
 
I think that the broken cover bolt will be fine. If the 6 lug balljoints are good but you need everything else from the 8 lug, I would disassemble them both and trade knuckles. This would be much easier than changing the carrier.
 
thanks for the reply. i also have should have mentioned the stock axle has 3.08 gears and the new one has 4.10 which i would like to use. can i just put the carrier and pinion with the 4.10 gears in the axle and get it close? i don't have the tools to set up the gears. being that it's the front axle and only in 4x4 when offroad would it hurt? now i'm thinking i should just put new ball joint in the new axle, swap steering arms and drop the old axle out.
 
I would use the new axle's as a set. Run the front open and save the $$ to have the locker reinstalled correctly at a later date.

The broken bolt on the cover is most likely fine especially if its a stiff cover, but I ran a stock cover with 13 bolts (with a lower one broken) for several years with no issues.
 
i feel good about the broken bolt now. i also have another question. my rotors from the 8 lug axle are really rusty. can i use my wire wheel and clean them off and then have them turned or just buy new ones? they look flat just rusty. brake pads looked new. looking for the quickest and cheapest way to do this. 8 lug parts are so much more expensive.
 
I would see if they can be turned. It should only be about 25 bucks. Don't wire wheel them. They need to be a smooth machined surface.
 
chevyguy82 said:
thanks for the reply. i also have should have mentioned the stock axle has 3.08 gears and the new one has 4.10 which i would like to use. can i just put the carrier and pinion with the 4.10 gears in the axle and get it close? i don't have the tools to set up the gears. being that it's the front axle and only in 4x4 when offroad would it hurt? now i'm thinking i should just put new ball joint in the new axle, swap steering arms and drop the old axle out.
Click to expand...


Swapping from 3.08's to 4.10 you won't even be close, the gears will be WAY off. So much so that you may not even be able to get the carrier in the diff or there would be so little gear contact that you'd break ring gear teeth right away.

If you're not capable of setting up gears (or paying someone to do them), you're best off using the 8 lug front end and moving the good parts from your current front end into that one.
 
i think that settles it. looks like i'll be buying 4 new ball joints, turning rotors or buying new ones, bearings, seals, and dropping the old axle out. looks like another weekend project.
 
Check this guy out on Pirate.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/member.php?u=8751

I am pretty sure the wheel bearings and seals and that type stuff for the outers for the late model D44 front will all work on a 10 bolt front. Just cross ref the part numbers and make sure they match.

He has better prices than any auto parts store for that stuff.

Douglas Brown
Extreme Axle Sales
www.ExtremeAxleSales.com
CONTACT ME FOR YOUR FRONT DANA 60
COMPLETE AXLES & PARTS
[email protected]
845-598-0545 cell
 
i really apreciate all the help. i'll check out that guy on pirate. i need to just quit being so cheap and just buy the stuff. hard to convince the wife it's worth it. uh well she'll get over it.
 
It is a good idea to start with brand new parts. If your 1/2 ton 10 bolt has good ball joints already in the knuckle and the 3/4 10 bolt has bad joints then it would be easy to swap entire knuckles onto 3/4 ton. Rebuild the 3/4 ton from there out and you wouldnt even have to remove the steering arm. FYI most/all people have to remove the arm to change ball joints which can be a PITA.

Doesnt the EZ locker replace the spider gears? If so, then that would be easily accomplished when you are cleaning it up.

I am not tying to be an a$$ by repeating, I am just trying to make my point clear
Kenny
 
thanks for the info. all the help you guys have given me is awesome. i'm probably making this sound harder than it is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom