Who had March 14th?

[Hot Pocket]

Lots of replies... Thanks for the help.

To clarify Blankenship, It wouldn't go forward, but I could still use reverse just fine. You are correct, it's a 31 spline. From what I've read, Ford put the 28spline axles in cars and early broncos. The 31 splines were found in 70's model trucks, Torinos, and a few HiPo Stangs.

Anyway,
Rented the slide hammer at Ho'reillys, and got the shafts out... Not pleased with what I found. Here are some pics.





It looks as though my driver's side shaft doesn't have a bearing on it. I looked through the axle housing, and it looks like something broke off in there very close to the third member. (see pics) The pic of the shaft with the bearing is my passenger side shaft which looks fine.

Any thoughts as to what may have happened, and why is there no bearing on my axle? I'm guessing the bearing grenaded and is what is stuck inside the axle housing. Going to do some homework for a while, then I'll probably go and pull the third.

[JB]

So the axle bearing goes but no forward motion??

[Hot Pocket]

It would go forward in granny gear, but occassionally it would catch itself and start doing the gear grind and it wouldnt go forward anymore. I didn't really screw with it too much.

[TdmayfieldIV]

I have 2 sets of shafts and a 3rd member with 4:10's if you need them.

[sasquatch]

the shaft bearing is fine. the race is in the end of the tube. what you see in the tube is probably a carrier bearing race. get a new 3rd. yours is probably ****ed more than its worth fixing.

and you probably wont find a cheap 9 at a local junkyard anymore.

[Hot Pocket]

How can I make the carrier stronger when I go to replace it?

[sasquatch]

it probably wasn't set up correctly. just get another 3rd. you should have 3.50s. aftermarket upgraydds aren't going to be as cheap as you like.

[TdmayfieldIV]

I NEVER had any problems whatsoever with my 9" until I put a mini spool in it. I remember hopping on a rock for a couple of minutes trying to get somewhere when I first started wheeling. Looking back it should have broken but it never gave up.

There is a reason that drag racers and circle track drivers use these axles more than any other, they're strong out of the box. They're one of the best half ton axles ever made bar none.

The reason yours broke is probably water mixed with the gear oil. The gears rust and are weakened, along with all of the bearings.

30 years of neglect lead to your axle grenading, along with your jackassery

If you want to drop the coin you can get a nodular third member but really, for your application, the stock one is good enough if you take care of it.

http://www.justrearends.com/ProductD...0-e76d6b25ecdf

You can have my whole rear axle and two sets of spare shafts for $80. All you have to do is put the spider gears back in and it's good to go.

[BroncoJo]

pull the third and take a look.

[stx4wheeler]

Yeah, just pull the third and see whats wrong, im sure its just 30 yrs off neglect showing its face.

Im serious complete truck 9"'s go for $100-200 all day long on Houston craigslist. Pull one of those slap it in and keep driving. There is no reason to upgrade a factory nine with 35's and an M block for a crusier/light off-road use. If you end up getting a new axle get one from a '76 and later.

If its just the shaft bearing replace it and go on down the road.

[Hot Pocket]

I've got the shafts out, and I took off all 10 bolts, but this thing will not budge, even tried some pb lube and nothing. Suggestions for popping the 3rd off?

[85cj7]

There should a section of the third that has a small cut away so that you can get a chisel or screw driver in between the two mating surfaces. If I remember right it is on the driver side of the third by the tube. Just lots of taping with a hammer and chiseling with multiple ones from different angles to force the third up and off the studs.

[Hot Pocket]

Been trying to get this thing off for over an hour. I will pay someone to come and get this thing out. I am giving up.

edit: blankenship, couldn't find what you were talking about.

[Sharpe]

Don't be a bitch. Man the **** up and hit it harder until it comes off.

[BroncoJo]

it's already broken, get a bigger hammer