Front axle tube slipping out?

[AlexK10]

Hi everyone, I've been following the forum for the past month or so and this is my first post.

I recently purchased a 1984 K10 and I'm in the process of "restoring" it to make it reliable.

Some of the projects I have on list are: Changing fuel tank (rusted), Fixing enlarged rear shock mount holes, leaking engine/transmission and transfer case etc.

I've noticed that the left side (driver) front axle tube has a machined surface that is not inserted into the pumpkin (10 bolt)

Two scenarios come to mind:
Plug welds failed and tube slipped out about 5/8"-3/4".
Or it mas machined at the factory more than needed and pressed in correctly leaving some of the extra machining exposed.

Is there a way of obtaining axle measurements from different points of reference to verify what has happened?

Thanks!
Alex

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[Charlie]

 

[Rusty Nail]

Well, Alex...a few things come to mind and I think i'll share them.

IF your axle tube had actually come THAT FAR OUT of the case, serious driveability + alignment issues would certainly have followed.
Secondly, I do not believe THAT would have been shipped and/or received from the factory in error, and you , nor anyone, will EVER convince me of that.

At first glance my thought was "something got wrapped around it."

So I scrolled up and looked again.
I see what you are talking about but I also see surface rust in that lighter area.

See the raised area on the case near the line I have drawn?

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I don't know, but I see THAT is near the same about of lighter, "machined" tube OUTSIDE of the case which leads me to believe that if, in fact, it has somehow come OUT of the differential case, that it is hanging on by a mere thread. Your AXLE isn't that long...
I see no fluid nor evidence of leak, i'm looking at RUST and calling bull.
If that tube was about to FALL OUT , you would be asking different questions.

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[CSFJ]

I'm wondering if someone had it retubed on that side at some point. Especially since it would be the long side and most likely to bend if abused off road.

 

[AlexK10]

Thank you Charlie, Rusty and CSFJ for you input.

I see what you mean by the raised area in the casting, its width and the width of the machined tube exposed. They seem to match width wise and we could assume that it has slipped out. Then again...Like you said, if it slipped out that much it would be basically falling right now.

However I do not notice any alignment issues or anything wrong with the steering geometry. Also no leaks and the 4x4 when engaged works properly if that says anything.

It is definitely a machined surface as the "lathe" cuts are evident to the touch and the raised step to the non-machined tube section.

Can someone give me reference measurements to check? Perhaps to the steering damper bracket or to the axle tube end or something logical to measure out?

Alex

 

[bucket]

Spring perch spacing should be 31.5", from center to center. I doubt the tube has slipped out without also rotating severely, but it does look like there's a small crack in the plug weld.

 

[AlexK10]

Thank you Bucket, Ill check it again tonight and measure spacing from one perch to the other, hopefully the measurement checks out ok.

I didn't notice the plug weld crack until now (at about 10oclock); Ill verify that also.

 

[ajd89]

When your tires look like this youll know you have a issue! Lol! It was fun at least!

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[AlexK10]

I just measured the spacing from one perch to the other (centers) and got 31 3/8". Its a bit uncomfortable with the steering link and diff in the way but that's pretty accurate for now and only 1/8" from the spec of 31 1/2".

Over the weekend Ill double check and wire wheel the plug weld to inspect it.

 

[dvdswan]

I don't recall if the front axle has "c" clips to hole the axle shafts in the carrier assembly. Pull the diff cover and check the axle ends inside the carrier, that will tell you if the axle tube has slipped out or not. It should look similar to this...

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you can see the axle shafts almost touching the center pin.

this is the c-clip I'm talking about, you can see where it clips on the axle, the center pin is removed so you can remove the c-clip.

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[idahovette]

Front axles don't have the c-clips but good idea to pull the cover to check!

 

[dvdswan]

Front axles don't have the c-clips but good idea to pull the cover to check!

so, would there be a center pin then?

 

[CSFJ]

so, would there be a center pin then?

Yes, you still need the center pin for the spider gears.

 

[AlexK10]

Hi, Ok measured again at 31 3/8 to 1/2".
Removed the differential cover and looked inside.

Noticed the driver's side axle further into the center carrier about 1/8" more than the passenger's side.

Was able to push it out with my finger and both axles are flush with the spider gear.

Didn't see any groove for a snap ring on either axle (like the rear axle photo subitted by dvdswan shows).

Everything looks "normal" to me.

Is there anything else I can check inside before putting the cover back on?

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[AlexK10]

I also wire brushed the plug weld in question and there is a crack but dont see it has detached from the casting. Seems like a weld shrinking crack "normal" and there is also another plug weld on the back of this axle tube.