I don't off-road a lot, maybe 2-3 times \year and then I do a good clean up afterwards, but that is just me.

 

Next in a series of dumb questions: The bolts that secure the swivels to the rest of the front end have a fairly unique "star-shaped" head on them. Is there a special wrench/socket I should be considering here?

 

it's just a 12 point metric socket, sorry but i dont recall the exact size.....

 

17mm box end wrench I believe

 

Any advice on how to get a drive flange to let go? The circlip and mounting bolts are off, but this rubber-ducking thing appears to be on there like grim death.


I know I need to open the brake system and pull the caliper, but I wanted to make sure I was able to crack the hub open before I did so.

 

??? You don't need to open the system to pull the caliper.

I always use a small hammer and spin the flange. Tap the rotor. Tap the flange. But you have to be careful. You don't want to mar the flange. Tap tap tap.

 

Welp, last night it got "interesting"... I managed to get the drive flange lose by reattaching the tire and rocking it back-and-forth with the vehicle in gear.

Once inside, I found the wheel bearings to be normal, but that the roller bearing on the CV was completely destroyed. It had to let go under the care of the previous owner as I would have heard this poor thing grumble and scream for weeks.

The inside of the swivel ball was a mud of ground bearing. I am shocked the CV wasn't pitted to blazes.

So next question- How do I pull (what's left of) the bearing inside the spindle, and do I need a race on the CV output shaft?

My worry is that the output shaft from the CV is galled beyond use and will need replacement.

Thanks again all. I appreciate all the insight.

(no photos, as it was dark and I was too filthy to operate a phone/camera)

 

My CV joint was caked with rust, and was making noise, plus the swivel ball was pitted badly. I purchased a complete front axle from a local salvage yard for $200 and used the parts I needed. If I purchased all the parts I figured I would need, it would have been about $900 or more.

The pitting caused the loss of oil and the rust on the CV, plus the wearing out of the pivot bearings. I was lucky enough to find the later model swivel ***** that were teflon coated and in great shape!


Sounds like you may need a complete CV shaft, and the whole assembly needs to come apart. Not a bad idea to get all the metal particles out of there.

 

I you look closely, you will observe a fancy State O' Maine inspection decal on the windshield!!!



Thank you all for your help! I have been delinquent in posting, but had to mention that the advice in this thread proved reliable and pertinent. You guys rock.