Driving TTB Ranger without Front axle shafts?

[bigmark303]

Just a quick question. Can I put back together my spindle, brakes, and hubs without the axle shafts and drive the truck?

I had to remove the third member this weekend because I filled the case with mud after the differential vent hose ripped off at some point in the swamp. I have it all apart and was going to regear in the spring, but mine as well now that half the labor is out of the way and my 35" boggers im regearing for would kick ass in the snow this winter.

Ive looked at it a bunch of times and the C clip and washers that sit on the axle shafts don't seem to be part of the lock rings that hold the rotor on the spindle. I should be able to put it back together without the axle shafts and drive it right? I just want to confirm with someone who has maybe done this as I am pretty confident it will work. I just want to make sure im not missing something.

Thank you

 

[brinker88]

Technically, you could. But I would try to find a way to seal the back of the spindle so that you don't get mud/water/dirt working its way into your wheel bearings.

 

[bigmark303]

Thanks for the reply. The time driving it would only be to the shop that is going to set up my gears and then ill just have them put it back together.

I was just trying to trouble shoot any way the spindle lock nuts could work there way off. I have the manual hubs and not the auto hubs where the lock nut is held by the wedge. It looks like the manual hub lock nuts could walk right off over the washers on the axle shaft itself so it led me to believe they are not intended to aid in keeping the lock nuts on the spindle.

I just don't want to overlook something and have a wheel fall off.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Your fine, just put some Duck Tape over the spindle holes, and have your hubs on. Ranger bearings have a hard enough life, the last thing you want is dirt and road grime in there.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[bigmark303]

Thanks for the input guys. I did put it back together last night without the pumpkin and shafts. Took it for a ride and nothing loosened. Put some duct tape as mentioned over the back of the spindles. Truck isn't going anywhere until its ready to be regeared. That will save me a couple hundred having it already apart.