Front axle removal question

I am in the process of rebuilding the front suspension on my 96 with manual lockout hubs. Will the axles just pull out of the differential with the knuckles when I remove the ball joints, or do I need to pull the hubs apart and disengage the axles first?

 

your choice really. You can get the axle out of the diff with the knuckle still on, but it'll be a pretty big chunk of parts to deal with. Without air tools the axle nut may be a pain to get off with it off the truck.

 

I have the tools and the frame is bare. I'm building it to do a frame swap. My DD has frame cancer.

 

He doesn't have an axle nut, manual hubs have a single golden bolt that comes out pretty easily.

 

So... the axles just pull out of the carrier?

 

thanks for the correction.

Well unless your axles are different on that end too, its just a c clip that holds the diff side of the axle in. prybar will pop it out and you can remove the axle.

 

Thanks. Just wanting to be sure. I figured they would be easier to pull apart on the bench once I get them out.

 

Yes. you should only have to remove the lower ball joint though. at least that's what I had to do on my 2ktaco when I swapped the front cv shafts.

 

I'm replacing upper and lower ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings, tie rod ends, struts and springs, sway bar bushings....

 

oh sorry. i thought you were talking about putting lockers on the front diff....

 

Yeah. Kinda bad choice of wording in my original post.

 

Let me see if I have this correct

Your pulling the CV axles out while still attached to the spindle.

Meaning you need to remove both the upper and lower ball joints.

After the 6 nuts are removed (these are studs if they have not been replaced with bolts) you need to pry that end out of the differential just pulling on the whole assembly will pull the cv axles apart !! Now if your replacing the cv axles no big deal.

Swapping the frame I would thing every thing else will be renewed as well??

 

Yeah. Pry the axles out of the differential. The axles appear to be in good condition, but I'm going to check/grease them. I am also going to check/grease/replace wheel bearings as needed and clean/grease the hubs, new rotors and pads on the front. The rear brakes are good. General HD springs and new shocks on rear. Poly bushings throughout.