Nah, just laid in it...jk. I left a 1" thick mat of varmint litter since it was on the ground already, it was a slow drip when noticed. Thought it was about done...nope, should of used a bucket. Took it as a good sign. Confirmed 4wd operation, on the ground and in motion. In the driveway only...before getting it up on stands. I was the first thought lol.

 

Yeah... If it engaged and had fluid, that is a good sign for sure.

Speaking if front axles... I just watched a video a few days ago from Ford Tech Makuloco and he pumped the fluid out of the front diff. I swear mine has a drain plug in it when I changed it.... keep forgetting to look under there and check again.

I need to change that again this summer...

 

Yea, the plug is in the front. Bottom corner.

 

Yea ran those numbers from the site you posted AK, that was strange as well. Led to different parts within the assembly, the parts on the same page in fact. Didn't notice that until running the numbers....but yea, internals,seals mostly.

Well I'll call the place in SanFran, see if they have old stock. Then turn to salvage. Guess those are the options. Really doesn't need a new one, the front axle/parts have had VERY little use. Hell, still using the original shift fork lol. At this point, 200 for a new tube doesn't sound bad... for the only one that might exist. As long as it's not a refurb. Well a refurb would be bad either...if done correctly. They've had cracking issues in the past. But from what I've seen, looks to be more of a owner abuse thing.

Oh and thanks fellas.

 

Hey Brew... I'm sure you're already on top of this, but you'd probably want to order new bushings for the axle if they look anything like mine.

 

I did think about it, but that's as far as it went lol. Well, how did they look once you removed them, if you did go so far as to remove them ? A bushing can look like hell from outside until you remove them and find nothing is wrong with the part that matters, know what I mean ? Did you end up changing them?

 

Not yet.... but these are pretty bad. I can wobble the piece in the center. I haven't replaced them yet. The bushings that are bad are on my spare axle, BTW. Probably sounded like I meant the axle that is in the truck..... oops.

 

Yea, I knew what you meant, -won't be removing it totally but yea, still has to be dropped to re-align tube and assembly. Not much to come apart at all IMO.Next to impossible without dropping slightly. I can get a good look see then. Those bushing bolts are going to be a mother. Was going to get some Kroil working on them tonight, decided against it. First I wanted to wire wheel and nail them good a few times with a hammer or air chisel perhaps. Otherwise, it would be a waste soaking them now. Probably blow the rust debris from the bushing before hand as well. Kroil is great, IF it can get to it.

I'm more concerned with locating the correct part or actually getting what's advertised from a retailer...salvage mostly.

 

Seems like it would be easier to pull the whole axle. You're going to need to pull the cover off that pumpkin it looks like (to me) to pull the axle c-clip. The bottom pic is my wobbly bushing.... the other two are just ugly, I guess.