Front axle replacement

[basketcase0302]

Ryan, It's hard for me to believe two shops would tell you the axle needs replaced if it didn't, but I'd want to know exactly what is wrong with it. You can still get about every part made for that axle as far as I know, start here:
http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/
And yes, you can replace the axle with one from a dent era. But I'd bet they might be hard to find even in Alaska? Did the shops not tell you exactly whey they condemned the axle?

[Ryan_1]

I just bought the front axle that is complete from a 74 ford f-250.

Now I just have to get the truck jacked up, pull the current front end and swap the axles, importunately its winter and snowy and i don't have a garage to do it in nor can i afford to pay someone to do it.

The shops did tell me that they have condemned the axle, the whole gear assembly is destroyed along with 1 ball joint going out.

[averagef250]

Might not go back to the shop who told you there's a ball joint going out.... These old 4x4's don't have ball joints.

[Ryan_1]

The front axle isn't stock, it does have ball joints not King Pins.

[averagef250]

So you're pulling an open knuckle disc axle out to replace it with a closed knuckle drum one?

Parts are out there, for all the axles. If the housing's OK it can be fixed easily. If the housing's messed up (carrier bearing spun?) it can still be fixed, but why bother.

[Ryan_1]

The current axle is a closed knuckle drum axle as well with ball joints, and i am replacing it with the same.

[averagef250]

Seriously, closed knuckle axles don't have balljoints. If you can't see that then you're going to have a hard, uphill road working on old 4x4's.

[Ryan_1]

Ok, I just picked up the new front end and it has king pins, the current one on the truck has ball joints.

The new used one also has hydraulic steering assist that i would love some info about, like how to set it up when i put the new front end on the truck.