The best approach is to get a copy of the manufacturer's service manual. It will list pages of steps with line drawings, and there will be a section at the end that shows any special tools that might be needed. There's a link for "Manuals" under "Repair and Service" at the top of this page, but that is for online aftermarket manuals. Those may be okay for this procedure, but to cover everything you could ever want to do, search on eBay for the exact manual for your truck.
A used axle assembly from a salvage yard will often cost less than having one repaired because it takes a lot of labor time and experience to set up the gears after parts have been replaced. Remember though you have to find one with the same gear ratio because it has to match the front axle's ratio. If you get one complete with the brakes and backing plates, it's very important that the brake wheel cylinders be the same diameter as what you had. That is to maintain the carefully designed-in front-to-rear brake balance. Most wheel cylinders have their diameters cast in on the side, otherwise you have to pull a piston out so you can read the diameter on the inside of the lip seal. If you transplant the backing plates with brakes from the old axle, the diameter is one thing you won't have to worry about.
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Sunday, January 11th, 2015 AT 12:36 AM
