Chevy front axle center section question

[greenjeep]

Has anyone on here ever rebuilt the front axle on a 1/2 ton 88 up truck? Mine is noisy, it had some water in it. I think some new bearings and it will be all good.

I have rebuilt lots of different solid front and rear axles before. I am just a little unsure about having case halfs to deal with.

any input would be great.
thanks,
Fred

[Yetti]

there not bad to do, you have to use anarobic sealer between the cases after you set up your new bearings & gears. the old ones like yours tend to loose ring gear bolts, I have repaired a few where the bolts came out through the side of the case.

[greenjeep]

Thanks for the reply.
So to do a pattern check you reassemble it, spin it a couple times, then disassemble? Do they use shims, or spanner nuts for adjustments. Any special tools sepcific to this type of axle? I acually have a 94 1/2 Suburban.

Also do you know when they switched the actuators for the axles(thermal to mechanical)?

[Yetti]

here this should help...

[greenjeep]

yes it does, thanks

[Symmes]

A sugestion too. My friend has a 94 3/4 suburban and it engaged really slow. So he upgraded to a acuator and wiring harness to a later year model. It is totally different now, works a lot better. If you want more info i can get it if ur interested. thanks
jake