Differential Removal

[NCM]

Sounds like Charles T is close to finishing regearing my differentials and I'll soon face the challenge of putting everything back together. As I think about preparing parts for reassembly, I have the following questions:

- I assume that I should de-grease and de-grime all the parts, nuts, and bolts. Can I just scrub with a purple cleaner or something similar?
- Should I grease, oil, or lubricate nuts and bolts prior to re-assembly? Or do I need to use a thread locker? I'm unclear on when to use one or the other.
- The outer front axle shaft/u-joint assembly came out in a whole mess of grease. Can I just put everything back in as is, or should I clean and regrease with fresh grease?

Appreciate the help everyone.

David

[Cal_Gary]

Clean everything up with degreaser, carb cleaner etc., ensure your gasket surfaces are clean too. Always use new lubricants whenever possible during reassembly. If you're re-using the existing bolts I'd hit 'em with some rust penetrant just to clean up the threads. I don't use thread locker on those components-the torque specs should suffice in my opinion.
Gary

[vit16]

I like to use anti seize copper based additive from loctite in many places I know they will rust.
It is designed for exhaust manifolds and turbo bolt threads. Just FYI!!
Ronnie

[NCM]

Thanks for the help guys. Another dumb question: is there any hardware that I should NOT re-use? I was planning on reusing everything but please someone let me know if that is a bad idea.

[Cal_Gary]

I reused all of my existing hardware when I reassembled my diffs-no issues after 3500 miles.
Gary

[NCM]

Excellent news. Thanks Gary.

[06boblee]

DSC01300 (Small).JPG (132.9 KiB) Viewed 1101 times

DSC01279 (Small).JPG (112.62 KiB) Viewed 1101 times

I would recommend installing a grease fitting on the bottom plate (bearing) the pics of mine when I took it apart shows no grease and a lot of rust. The knuckle was packed full of grease too when I took it apart.

[NCM]

Yikes - so far mine has appeared to be pretty well maintained. It was Wyoming/Colorado truck and garaged most of its life.

Another dumb question - can I re-use the outer bearing cones on the front axle? I'd like to not pay $60/each for new ones if I don't need to.

[sturmtyger380]

I would probably not reuse outer bearing cones or any cones. The cone and race wear into each other and match over time. If the race could be pressed out and back in you might could use the cone and race over together. But all hubs are not the same and the race might have a slightly different angle. It might be okay for awhile.

[NCM]

I picked up my rebuilt differentials and disc brake kit from M Series rebuild this week. Today I was able to get the rear differential installed. Per Charles’s advice, I used Permatex anaerobic gasket maker in lieu of an NOS gasket. It wasn’t too hard to get it back up in there, again using my harbor freight transmission jack. I couldn’t find any torque specifications in the manual so I torqued all the nuts to 45 ft lbs. Next up will be the front differential. Some of the studs are a little banged up from the truck’s past life so I’ll have to try to find some replacements from Midwest military or VPW.

[NCM]

I completely forgot to take any pictures on the rear axle, so I snapped a few of the front. The front differential install went very smoothly as well. I again cleaned the mating surface and added a solid bead of anaerobic gasket maker, as well as removed and re-sealed all the studs. Vintage Power Wagons came through in a pinch and was able to source a replacement stud for me (one was damaged at some point and completely unusable). Again, the little Harbor Freight transmission jack worked perfectly. I accidently let the male and female components of rear propeller shaft separate. I could NOT get them back together; eventually I realized that the felt seal inside was completely gummed up so I ordered a replacement. The next step will be trimming it to shape and then getting the shaft back together.

[Cal_Gary]

Nice work-thanks for the pix too!
Gary

[Kaegi]

The NOS diff gasket is necessary for axle shaft alignment. the aftermarket are not the correct thickness.

[Murf]

Was looking through this as I will re-gear eventually as well. Bob Stahl apparently passed away earlier this year. A post by his brother stated he would be carrying on Bob's work. I haven't contacted him so I don't know what he offers.