Just bought a truck, forgot to put it in 4wd...

So, I easily took off the stake nut, but getting off the axle flange has been a challenge I haven't been able to conquer yet. I believe the bearing is crushed or destroyed inside, I can't even rotate the yoke with my hands, I have to use a wrench and it sounds horrible. I tried using a slide hammer with teeth that gripped on the edge of the flange and it was just to tight, I got off a few pulls but it refused to come out... I tried hitting it from the back with a hammer slightly, but I dont wan't to damage the splines...

 

So it makes a noise when you're in 2wd?

 

Nope, only when I throw it in 4, and when I put it in 4 both hubs weren’t even engaged because of the whole issues with the hub, so that’s why I believe it’s the bearing behind the flange, but I am unsure if I can even replace it without taking out the pinion ??

 

Yes you must split the case and drive the pinion out with an air hammer and then press the new bearing in and reinstall the pinion and make sure you don’t fuck the crush sleeve. It’s a process but can be done at home with the right tools. The diff has to come out of the truck and be taken apart.

 

Food for thought, was it covered that this is a pre runner conversion or am I missing something ? Locking hubs on this new of a truck ?

 

Good question.
Something does seem fishy.

 

I don't believe its a pre-runner conversion? Atleast the VIN doesn't say so... My 96 had locking hubs, so I figured it was possible that this one did as well.

 

Just for the heck of it I would make sure the vin on the frame matches the cab.

 

Gotcha. By looking at the diagram, there is two bearings. One is listed as the front pinion bearing, and the other is just listed as pinion bearing. I am hoping that the bearing closer to the rear is accesable without splitting the case, I am really not looking forwar

 

Well, thanks to all you guys I finally found the issue, the bearing is fucking crushed and destroyed. Thankful that I didn't test out the 4wd any more because it could've easily destroyed other parts. Does anyone have any advice for getting this bearing out? I am like 99% sure its accessible from this side.

Untitled by skedhead harp, on Flickr

 

I have tried like 40 different thing to get this bearing out, and I can not get it to budge. It is too tight for a slide hammer to fit, you can't really get any leverage and the center cap is just too hard to drill out... Any advice?

 

freeze the inside, hotair gun warm the outside ?

is that the wheel bearing, or the front diff input shaft bearing, or the transfer case output bearing? I can't quite tell from the pic. maybe find another 1stGen 4x4 at the JY and get the whole piece that bearing is in?

 

It is the bearing on the front input shaft. although the cold and hot idea is good, I have no way of actually pulling the bearing itself....

 

yeah... i'd be looking for another differential, me thinks.

 

Sub'd. Good luck, OP. You'll eventually get it. Might need to break things down further to get that bearing out.

 

Good excuse for solid axle swap if I ever saw one.

 

doesn't that make it ride like, well, a truck ?

 

Not a option... I just bought the truck I’m keeping it how it is

 

well, how it is is broken. .....

 

I’m guessing the diff will need to come out, at the very least to make sure nothing else is fucked. I’ve heard the 1st gens are a little more difficult to wrench out but honestly it sounds like this dude offloaded a problem on you. Take her apart and do it right or you’ll end up fixing more bullshit that’ll be harder to get to.