Rear axle shaft...

Got both my wheels off and ready to remove the bolts for the brake drum.

Couple questions....
1. Because nuts were used on the axle shafts other than the standard locking rear nut, the axle shaft threeads are in bad shape. The original replacment lock ring nuts I bought slides down to the brake drum without really catching on the threads. I dont see how to fix this without replacing the axle shafts($$$!!!) Probably $250 to replace both huh? Can the threads be fixed?
2. What kind of kits do they have out there for rebuilding/refurbishing your brakes and how much? No sense in not redoing the brakes while I am at it.

What kind of experieicnes have people seen out there with worn axle shaft threads?

Can they be tapped at a smaller size and other parts used?... probabley wont hold the torque will they?

Good luck,
Dan

No where in the IT manaul does it say the transmission needs to be drained although the rear axel is splashed lubed.

I do not need to drian the tranny do I?

Anything else you can think to tell me before I go ahead and take out the axle shaft and brake drumn together?... large torqued nut already removed.

What about seperating the brake drum and axle from each other?.. any tips?

What about for reassembly?

Dan

Byte the bullet and REPLACE yer buggered axleshaft ($150, not cheap) and BOTH YOUR HUBS. ($50, cheap) They're the reason your axlenut got loose and buggered yer axle. Your bearings are probably good but yer seals ain't. Its all in the I&T FO-4 repair manual.

No need to drain the tranny, but when was the last time you changed yer hydro-tranny oil? What about you leaky lower lift pins that are cotter-keyed inside yer axle trumpet? See where this is going? mission growth (grin)..... ...Dell

I havent taken off the hubs yet and inspected them but I suspect they will need replacing too.

The reason the threads were so worn was that nonstandard nuts were used on the axle instead of the 450 lb original torquing type. Just worn out by the play.

It is all in the IT manaual but some of it still reads like greek to me until I get in there and actually do it and understand how they all work together. Not very mechanically inclined but manuals and instructions are a must for me.

Also going to redo brakes and everything else.. you are defiently right... this thing is growing.

Appreciate the help.