Drive-train Advice?

[Jc.av8r]

Drive-train wise, I've already done new power disc brakes and a full TBP suspension overhaul. I'm running a 302 V8 and installed the NV3550 5speed manual transmission. The motor needs some carb tuning but otherwise runs fine.

My question pertains to axles. I haven't opened them up yet but wondering what are signs of "bad" or aging axles that might motivate me to overhaul or replace altogether.

If I did go that route, what would be recommended? I don't really need anything to be too beefy since I'll only ever intend to run the 302 with the NV3550 tranny. I want drive-ability and reliability more than power. Would appreciate some advice from those with more experience.

 

[Rustytruck]

Pull the rear axles and replace the rear axle bearings and seals if your at the 100,000 mile or more range and they haven't been done. Replace the gear oil in the front and rear differentials.

As for the front pull the spindles and pull the axles and check the u-joints. Their pretty cheep to replace once you have them out. Check and re-grease the needle bearings inside the spindle and replace all the outer seals. clean and re-grease the bearings and you should be good to go. If you have gear lube leaking inside the axle tubes then the differential seals will need to be replaced and that's a whole other job and needs to be done with the axles out. Need special tools to do it.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, checking the axle u joints can be done by locking the hub and turning the rotor back and forth while looking at the u joint between the axle and the steering knuckle. I would hope the wheel bearings were cleaned and packed when the brake job was done. Changing the gear lube is a good idea if you don't know if it was ever done. Good luck

 

[Jc.av8r]

Pull the rear axles and replace the rear axle bearings and seals if your at the 100,000 mile or more range and they haven't been done. Replace the gear oil in the front and rear differentials.

As for the front pull the spindles and pull the axles and check the u-joints. Their pretty cheep to replace once you have them out. Check and re-grease the needle bearings inside the spindle and replace all the outer seals. clean and re-grease the bearings and you should be good to go. If you have gear lube leaking inside the axle tubes then the differential seals will need to be replaced and that's a whole other job and needs to be done with the axles out. Need special tools to do it.

Hi, checking the axle u joints can be done by locking the hub and turning the rotor back and forth while looking at the u joint between the axle and the steering knuckle. I would hope the wheel bearings were cleaned and packed when the brake job was done. Changing the gear lube is a good idea if you don't know if it was ever done. Good luck

Thanks guys. I will get in there and have a look at everything as you suggest. Unfortunately, despite my research and efforts, I know very little about the true history of the vehicle or it's total mileage.

Truck has a rebuilt title and I do know that the 302 in there now was a replacement motor so I'm not sure how many miles are on the motor/body/axles.

Body will be like new in a couple months and after that focus will shift to rest of drive train.

 

[broncnaz]

Most of the time you'll hear the gears howling or making noise when there is a issue in the axle. For the most part the differential and gears can last a very long time with good maintenance. Also you will tend to feel play In the drivetrain when things get worn. I've got over 350K on the rear gears in my bronco. I have rebuilt the rear end due to me busting the rear diff but the gears survived and were reused.
As was said installing new bearings on the rear axle shafts is a good preventive maintenance thing to do especially when mileage is unknown. it also gives you a look at the rear brakes if you haven't been in there. usually when the rear axle bearings are starting to go bad you will get oil dripping off the brake drums. That's assuming the axle has the correct amount of oil in it to begin with.
On the other hand since you have a 5sp tranny many times the axles need to be regeared to make full use of the tranny. That may help driveability issues if you have any. While gearing wont make more power it can make it feel like it has more power.

 

[kancox]

all of the above and jack up the front a inch or so and put a pry bar under tire,pry up and down while watching for movement in the ball joints or king pins depending on which front end you have. Any movement and they need to be replaced