For the pros.... Axle shaft question. Please advise

[Dryriver1]

I would beg to differ on the rust pits lol. Not saying that was the cause of this but definitely didn't help!

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Hello Praire Drifter, I hope all is well!

Oh Shoots! That is some pretty bad wear on them gears.
Is this on a front axle?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Hello Praire Drifter, I hope all is well!

Oh Shoots! That is some pretty bad wear on them gears.
Is this on a front axle?

Nope it's the rear, my second exploded 10 bolt.

 

[Dryriver1]

Oh gosh! What is causing this??

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

I would beg to differ on the rust pits lol. Not saying that was the cause of this but definitely didn't help!

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Um... uh..
Your missing a spider...

Did it leave the chat, or was it assembled like that?
I'm guessing spider gear soup in the bottom of the diff..

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Oh gosh! What is causing this??

10 bolt life. Oversized tires and 40 years old doesn't help it either. The second was doomed from the start when I swapped it. Pinion nut was loose for who knows how long

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Another how I found it lol

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[PrairieDrifter]

Um... uh..
Your missing a spider...

Did it leave the chat, or was it assembled like that?
I'm guessing spider gear soup in the bottom of the diff..

She said no more.

 

[Rusty Nail]

You know you're supposed to change that fluid every once in a while, right?
Can you believe that axle turned out so purdy?

 

[rusted nuts]

I would beg to differ on the rust pits lol. Not saying that was the cause of this but definitely didn't help!

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You have to clean the rust off 1st lol. I have had this happen to 4 Diff. over My lifetime and NONE had rust on them just high miles.

 

[Octane]

Just put some sealer in the diff oil,run 500 weight gear oil and be done.Pits and seal wear around the axle surface means nothing.Right?

 

[DoubleDingo]

I found a 4:11 3rd member in my parts truck, it had water in the diff for who knows how long. It wasn't as bad as yours, and it's a different animal being mine is an HO52, but I had concerns like you do, and was told to clean it up and run it. I haven't had a chance to run it yet as the truck is still down. Maybe clean it the best you can with brake kleen, and then put the cover back on with some rtv, add some gear oil and use drill or something to turn it for a while without load. You can add light load by adding some drag to hubs, and you can also switch the direction of the rotations so all the wear surfaces get hit. Open it back up drain it and clean again and see what it looks like after that.

 

[Dryriver1]

I found a 4:11 3rd member in my parts truck, it had water in the diff for who knows how long. It wasn't as bad as yours, and it's a different animal being mine is an HO52, but I had concerns like you do, and was told to clean it up and run it. I haven't had a chance to run it yet as the truck is still down. Maybe clean it the best you can with brake kleen, and then put the cover back on with some rtv, add some gear oil and use drill or something to turn it for a while without load. You can add light load by adding some drag to hubs, and you can also switch the direction of the rotations so all the wear surfaces get hit. Open it back up drain it and clean again and see what it looks like after that.

Thank you on that very good suggestion Double Dingo. I like that.

I am not a big time 4x4 off roader much and much less a crawler type where you need lockers and lots of torque & such.

I just want to get it where it needs to be properly done. I am learning as I go also, so please excuse me if at times I don't know the nomenclature of parts and systems.

I just want to keep on Busy Living and not stay there busy dieing, as was the case until I found GMSB.

I can not say it enough....

ALL of You Guys will never know what you have done To Help Me & Us (my fam) to get Busy Living!!!

THANK YOU!

Kevin @RecklessWOT
Mr Perry @idahovette
@Grit dog
@82sbshortbed
@SRanchWelder
@Rusty Nail
@Snoots
@Redfish
@Double Dingo
@89Suburban
Ayden @AyWoSch Motors
@hoagster
@GoldieDriver
@HotWheelsBurban
@Radiohead
@Catbox
@SirRobyn0
@Big Ray
@PrairieDrifter
@Mr Clean
@Ricko1966
@Midnightmoon
@ScrapMetal
and ALL of GM SQ Buddies that i have had the pleasure of interacting with in one way or another!

Sincerely,
Dryriver1

 

[RanchWelder]

Wow... Next time you take it to the Mud Bogs, remember to add Front/Rear Differential vent hoses to the top of the ceiling, inside the cab.
( ...or higher, like up to the tip of your fiberglass Red Neck 'Merican Flag Pole, 10 feet in the air).

On a more serious note:
You can also add 3/32" x 3" ID O-rings under the caps of the new front axle locks.

After rebuilding my hubs and removing the OEM auto-locks, I opted to save a few bucks and invested in a set new Mile Marker's on mine, the O-ring seal has never leaked. Been back in there to do new disks/calipers... after the initial Hub install.

The MM are very affordable, compared to Warne. I like the Warne Brand, I just couldn't afford them at the time.
Zero complaints at -40 degrees.

3" O-ring fits perfect under the allen bolt cap.

These:

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Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015O382HU/

Or these:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/silicone-o-rings/

If the pre-made one's end up being lil' bit too big, you can trim them down and super glue them end to end, so long as they aren't covered with grease yet. Cheap insurance...

Be nice if the hubs, gears and bearings remain dry inside, after all that work. Been there... Don't forget the plastic shims...
Those scary axle gear pictures are going to give me nightmares tonight...
Time to pull my front cover and make certain it's not a nice as yours.

 

[Dryriver1]

Wow... Next time you take it to the Mud Bogs, remember to add Front/Rear Differential vent hoses to the top of the ceiling, inside the cab.
( ...or higher, like up to the tip of your fiberglass Red Neck 'Merican Flag Pole, 10 feet in the air).

On a more serious note:
You can also add 3/32" x 3" ID O-rings under the caps of the new front axle locks.

After rebuilding my hubs and removing the OEM auto-locks, I opted to save a few bucks and invested in a set new Mile Marker's on mine, the O-ring seal has never leaked. Been back in there to do new disks/calipers... after the initial Hub install.

The MM are very affordable, compared to Warne. I like the Warne Brand, I just couldn't afford them at the time.
Zero complaints at -40 degrees.

3" O-ring fits perfect under the allen bolt cap.

These:

You must be registered for see images attach

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015O382HU/

Or these:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/silicone-o-rings/

If the pre-made one's end up being lil' bit too big, you can trim them down and super glue them end to end, so long as they aren't covered with grease yet. Cheap insurance...

Be nice if the hubs, gears and bearings remain dry inside, after all that work. Been there... Don't forget the plastic shims...
Those scary axle gear pictures are going to give me nightmares tonight...
Time to pull my front cover and make certain it's not a nice as yours.

Hello RW! I hope all is well.

I really appreciate your advice and links to the o rings there.

I will also follow your advice on the M M covers. I will re-inspect the old covers to check the o-rings.

This is the first time I am messing with a 4x4 system. All my old trucks before had been 2x and had only messed with the basics, i.e. breaks, rotors, tunnel ups, etc.
Never really got too deep into all the systems like some of y'all do.

Have a very good weekend!
Be well and stay safe out there.
Best wishes to you and all of your loved ones always!

Dryriver1

p.s. out here in EP County we don't know what mud bogs are... Shoots even the Mighty Rio Grande flows dry just about all year long and rain.... what is rain? ..... lol
We haven't had rain in forever.

 

[RanchWelder]

Good Weekend to you too.

 

[Dryriver1]

Hello GMSB Buddies! I hope all is well.

Just a quick report. Waiting on new to me spindles and axles from @AyWoSch Motors.

Also, I need your expert advise.
I would mount it I just know there is other experts here with more experience.

Got me a brand new set of take off tires from a neighbor. A kid that got himself a brand new 2023 Toyota 40th Anniversary Edition. He had 11 miles, drove straight to a shop removed the factory rims & tires and added some kind of lift kit...
He traded them for a cheap shotgun to my neighbor.
My neighbor sold me the 4 tires for
$300.00... Bridgstone Dueler H/T
P265/75R17

Well, when he took them to get unmounted... I never saw it until I was going to store them for my personal truck,
one of them had a blemish.
The pop tire shop denied the damage...

Anyway what do you guys think?
Your honest and serious advice is always appreciated!

Be well and stay safe out there.
Best wishes to you and all of your loved ones always!

Dryriver1