R&R Front Diff

cig1988 · 02-13-2009, 02:52 AM

I have a 1994 K1500 with 4 wheel drive. The front diff needs to be removed and replaced. I bought a donor truck which has the same ratio. I have never changed a set as this with tosion bars. Does anyone have a link for a step by step video?
Thanks in advance

mudseeker · 02-13-2009, 07:56 AM

1. put truck on jackstands
2. remove the 6 bolts on each halfshaft and unhook all electrical from axle
3. remove tires, calipers, rotors and speed sensors from frame
4. remove lower shock bolts and upper ball joint nut
5. beat steering knuckle with a BFH until it pops free from ball joint
at this point the lower control arm and steering knuckle should fall out of the way enough for the halfshaft to pull out of the way of the axle.
6. unbolt the front driveshaft from the axle
7. support the axle with a trans jack preferably and remove the 4 bolts holding the axle in
8. don't forget to remove the vent tube when lowering the axle
9. reverse the proccess and your done.

note: the halfshafts may need to be removed completely for the axle to clear the oil filter and center link to go back in. have fun.

crabtruck · 02-13-2009, 04:48 PM

Welcome to the forum cig1988. Maybe you can post pis of the job
as you go through it.

Not sure same truck mud, think no speed sensors, oil filter above univ joint out of way.
(Unless he wants to remove fom top.) At least no I-beam on the light version truck.
More fun than I had so far.

cig1988 · 02-13-2009, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the replys. Will I need a puller to separate the bearing from the CV-joint?

mudseeker · 02-13-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabtruck

Welcome to the forum cig1988. Maybe you can post pis of the job
as you go through it.

Not sure same truck mud, think no speed sensors, oil filter above univ joint out of way.
(Unless he wants to remove fom top.) At least no I-beam on the light version truck.
More fun than I had so far.

that's the problem, to clear the center link, you have to angle the pinion up toward the engine and the oil filter just happens to be there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cig1988

Thanks for the welcome and the replys. Will I need a puller to separate the bearing from the CV-joint?

your truck should have sealed bearings and they are a part of the hub. you can leave the hub on the steering knuckle. the hardest part is putting the axle back in.

crabtruck · 02-14-2009, 12:21 AM

Geez, swapping an axle isn'r bad enough without adding an oil change? I'm on a sched here !!

cig1988 · 02-14-2009, 02:22 AM

It was due for an oil change anyway. As I'm looking at this it seems it may be easier to unbolt the cv flanges from the diff, then unbolt the 4 bolts and will drop right down. Anyone ever try it that way?

bradrhale · 02-14-2009, 08:40 AM

if you turn the steering back, you can snake the whole assembly out. it is a tight fit but once you figure out how it comes out, it goes in a bit easier.

mudseeker · 02-14-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cig1988

It was due for an oil change anyway. As I'm looking at this it seems it may be easier to unbolt the cv flanges from the diff, then unbolt the 4 bolts and will drop right down. Anyone ever try it that way?

that's how i did it and it wouldn't go back in, so if you follow my list, you shouldn't have a problem.

cig1988 · 02-15-2009, 03:35 AM

Swap is all done. I removed the bolts from the steering box which gave me enough room. Could have used an extra set of hands, I am sore as ****.

02-13-2009, 02:52 AM	#1
cig1988 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	R&R Front Diff I have a 1994 K1500 with 4 wheel drive. The front diff needs to be removed and replaced. I bought a donor truck which has the same ratio. I have never changed a set as this with tosion bars. Does anyone have a link for a step by step video? Thanks in advance

02-13-2009, 07:56 AM	#2
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,373	1. put truck on jackstands 2. remove the 6 bolts on each halfshaft and unhook all electrical from axle 3. remove tires, calipers, rotors and speed sensors from frame 4. remove lower shock bolts and upper ball joint nut 5. beat steering knuckle with a BFH until it pops free from ball joint at this point the lower control arm and steering knuckle should fall out of the way enough for the halfshaft to pull out of the way of the axle. 6. unbolt the front driveshaft from the axle 7. support the axle with a trans jack preferably and remove the 4 bolts holding the axle in 8. don't forget to remove the vent tube when lowering the axle 9. reverse the proccess and your done. note: the halfshafts may need to be removed completely for the axle to clear the oil filter and center link to go back in. have fun. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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02-13-2009, 04:48 PM	#3
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,364	Welcome to the forum cig1988. Maybe you can post pis of the job as you go through it. Not sure same truck mud, think no speed sensors, oil filter above univ joint out of way. (Unless he wants to remove fom top.) At least no I-beam on the light version truck. More fun than I had so far.

02-13-2009, 05:41 PM	#4
cig1988 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	Thanks for the welcome and the replys. Will I need a puller to separate the bearing from the CV-joint?

02-14-2009, 12:21 AM	#6
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: on your 9 Posts: 3,364	Geez, swapping an axle isn'r bad enough without adding an oil change? I'm on a sched here !!

02-14-2009, 02:22 AM	#7
cig1988 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	It was due for an oil change anyway. As I'm looking at this it seems it may be easier to unbolt the cv flanges from the diff, then unbolt the 4 bolts and will drop right down. Anyone ever try it that way?

02-14-2009, 08:40 AM	#8
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,015	if you turn the steering back, you can snake the whole assembly out. it is a tight fit but once you figure out how it comes out, it goes in a bit easier.

02-15-2009, 03:35 AM	#10
cig1988 Full Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 14	Swap is all done. I removed the bolts from the steering box which gave me enough room. Could have used an extra set of hands, I am sore as ****.