Front axle help-newbie

[towtruckerfour]

Hey guys. As I'm sure you might have read, I got the 68 highboy going. I am new to the 4x4 world so I have a question on the front end. Looking thru diagrams, I think I have determined I have the Dana Spicer w/3m Front axle. How hard is it to disassemble the front hubs and the reassemble them? Any special tools needed? The reason I ask is there is a little popping noise every so often while driving and I am curious about the condition of the front hubs as far as like grease goes. I've greased every fitting I could find in the drivetrain. The po said it was his daily driver when I bought it in March but judging by the wasps nest I have found, it sat for a little while. Thanks for all help.

[eggman918]

The last time I had the clicking sound in my front end it was the U-joint in the steering knuckle
Steve.

[fordman]

yes i think popping is the u joint in one of the axles . i don't think it is hard. you will probably need a allen wrench and maybe some snap ring pliers.

[towtruckerfour]

I tried driving it in 2wd and 4wd with and without locked hubs and the noise is there at all times. It actually sounds like something is broke and is getting rolled around as you drive. I'm going to drive my other truck for now so I don't do any more damage to what ever is wrong. I'll try tackling it this weekend. I'll post what I find. Thanks for the replys.

[brownac1983]

You'll need a special socket for the wheel bearing nuts. You can buy them at any of the parts stores for around $10. You'll need the four-post version.

[towtruckerfour]

Hey guys. I started a thread in the suspension section too. I got the driver side apart finally. The wheel bearing and seal were not even attached to the hub anymore and quite a few metal chunks. The inner bearing race had a few holes. God only knows the last time it was greased. I still have to get the passenger side apart. No wonder it made a lot of noise. I'm glad I quit driving it before it got worse. I used a screwdriver and hammer to loosen the nut. I'll have to look for the socket. It would make it a lot easier. Thanks for the replies. This is my first experience dealing with a 4x4. Its going to be fun I can see.

[brownac1983]

I'd recommend investing in the socket for reassembly. It will make setting the preload a lot easier.

[towtruckerfour]

I went to Schucks and bought the socket and some snap ring pliers. Taking the passenger side apart was so much easier. The driver side needs a bunch of new parts but the passenger side looks good so I will just replace the bearings.

[brownac1983]

The socket makes a big difference. I had to learn the hard way on that one. I spent about two hours trying to put them back together with a screwdriver and a hammer. After I finally broke down and bought the socket it went a lot easier.