Front diff bearing oddness, run it or replace it?
- Thread starter Zorba
- Start date
I got the first pair of holes drilled with the carbide bits. Interestingly, the first one they went through the tool steel "good enough", the second one they just weren't working. So I sharpened them (Drill Doctor), and they chewed through that hard steel like a hot pin through butter! So they weren't all that sharp out of the box. Is that normal for carbide bits?
Need to re-measure tomorrow, and get the other two holes laid out, verify placement as best I can (including X to insure squareness), and get the other two holes drilled. Once I do that - If I'm successful - I'll also drill the pilot hole for the center, then take the whole thing down to Apex Fabrication and let them blow the big hole in it.
If I fail, I'll probably just buy that tool @machoheadgames posted. I'm worried about breaking the brittle carbide bits, am being very careful, blah, blah.
I had to use my milwaukee impact on the 3rd setting, and even then it would hammer away and move it like a 1/16th of a turn.
I've seen that tool before, but it's not (yet) obvious to me how it works. I get how it mounts to the yoke, but how does it hold the yoke. ELI5.
You put an extension on it - it accommodates several types including a breaker bar - let said extension press against the floor or the left lower control arm. Then wrench away at it while the tool holds the yoke. The one I'm trying to make is the same idea, but not as versatile.
Breaker bar in the 1/2" drive square hole. Hold the breaker bar in there while romping on the nut with the impact. It's a slow process with lots of checking for sure.
Got the other holes drilled for my pinion hold tool. Had to sharpen each successive drill bit for every hole! Once sharp, they'd chew right through the tool steel - but I'd have to resharpen for the next. Dunno if its because the steel was "that hard" or because the bits, while carbide, were doubtless Hecho en China. But its done, and at the machine shop to get the large center hole blown in it as they have a carbide hole saw.
The pinion seal showed up yesterday with the drill bits, more crap coming in tomorrow and Thursday. I also had to order a new yoke strap/bolt kit as I fucked up one of the bolts getting this tool made. I was "this close" to replacing them anyway, this way I'll have spares.
Oh, and get this: When I went to replace the U-joints in the axle shafts, I thought I had already purchased the U-joints. Couldn't find them, so ordered them post haste, painted and installed them. Today, looking at my Amazon order history, guess what I see? So now I have spares. Somewhere. I'm getting tired of looking out of my mouth at everything, and obviously I'm not going to get my head outta my ass any time soon, so I'm thinking of scheduling a "windectomy"...
The pinion seal showed up yesterday with the drill bits, more crap coming in tomorrow and Thursday. I also had to order a new yoke strap/bolt kit as I fucked up one of the bolts getting this tool made. I was "this close" to replacing them anyway, this way I'll have spares.
Oh, and get this: When I went to replace the U-joints in the axle shafts, I thought I had already purchased the U-joints. Couldn't find them, so ordered them post haste, painted and installed them. Today, looking at my Amazon order history, guess what I see? So now I have spares. Somewhere. I'm getting tired of looking out of my mouth at everything, and obviously I'm not going to get my head outta my ass any time soon, so I'm thinking of scheduling a "windectomy"...
Most of the crap is here, a couple more things arriving tomorrow while I'm dancing with "The Runt":
(Not everything came from Summit)
(Not everything came from Summit)
Next stupid question: Got the new carrier bearings on. Should I pre-lube them before I re-install the carrier or does it matter?
WTG Zorb... . Jump in and learn.
Now you might want to get a pair of the wide legged coulots (sp) that women's wear, that way them skirt tails don't get wrapped around the creeper wheels.........
Well , his Egypt trip photos show Zorba flying under the Radar in shorts . To be fair lying on the ground wrenching can get tough and in FL , Hot no matter what you're wearing.
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WTG Zorb... . Jump in and learn.
Now you might want to get a pair of the wide legged coulots (sp) that women's wear, that way them skirt tails don't get wrapped around the creeper wheels.........
Naw, no problems when you're wearing a mini!
I wear shorts most of the time here in Florida, unless I'm going out by myself (wife doesn't like the attention (around the house is OK), I don't even notice it). Lying on the ground in skirts is problematic at best - I certainly have done it, but can't recommend it. Its so fucking hot here - that's why I only get a little bit done each day, I have to stop when the sun gets into the west. This California boy doesn't do heat (or cold) well. OTOH, people here look at me like I have 3 heads (DON'T!!
) during the winter as they're all wrapped up in coats and I'm still wearing T-shirts, shorts or a light skirt, and flip flops! "This is a warm day where I'm from..."
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You call THAT a mini?
EDIT: It does move nicely, I'd wear it although I generally prefer longer.
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The pinion holder is complete. As planned, I had my local fab shop cut the large hole in the center for socket access. He told me he didn't know what the HELL that metal is, but even his carbide hole saw didn't have an easy time of it. Looks like I'll be testing it tomorrow. If it works, I'll post pictures - if it doesn't, I'll slink off in shame...
The pinion holder is complete. As planned, I had my local fab shop cut the large hole in the center for socket access. He told me he didn't know what the HELL that metal is, but even his carbide hole saw didn't have an easy time of it. Looks like I'll be testing it tomorrow. If it works, I'll post pictures - if it doesn't, I'll slink off in shame...
Post up a pic, Zorb. I'd like to see your design.
Here ya go, it actually worked swimmingly. It should have for the amount of money and effort I put into the thing.
I started with a roofing shingle shovel:
Laid it out as best I could, and drilled holes with a succession of carbide bits:
Then took it to the machine shop and had them blow this hole in the middle.
Bolted it up:
Showing clearance and centering around impact socket.
Ready to go!
Nut came right off. And it can even still be used for its original purpose! Now to get the yoke off, I had to get a puller from Hazard Fraught, will attack that after the sun gets behind the tree across the street!
Ok, here's pix with the nut off, puller on, pinion out. Inner bearings are fine, the outers, races, and seal yet to be extracted.
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