1985 ranger D28 passenger side axle

[alyoko]

First off, just wanna mention that TRS is an awesome site - chock full of info and very useful tid-bits!!!

my question: I have an 1985 (09-1985) ranger 2.9L D28, she's 25 years old and it looks like the front-end has never been apart! I have had some growling/grinding noise when in manual hubs locked in - I suspected spindle bearings (which it was) I have decided to take the repair a little deeper and do the u-joints just for fun! Having one heck of a time separating the right axle shaft from the stub shaft (at the keystone clamp) Just moved into my house with a nice (read 24X24) garage but not "set-up" yet. Any tips/tricks would be very appreciated !!

 

[atvkid4eva]

The passengers side axle is held inside the differential with a c-clip the only was to remove the entire shaft is to drop the diff and remove the c clip. and just an fyi the drivers side shaft does not have a c clip and will slide right out once the spindle is removed. it is possible to change the u joint with the axle still in the truck with the proper tools although it is a lot harder. hope this helps.

 

[4x4junkie]

If it's a 2.9L (EFI engine), you likely have a 1986 model (check the 10th digit on the VIN #, should be "G" for '86)

Like atvkid mentioned, there's a circlip inside the diff holding the passengerside shaft in place.
However the two halves of the passengerside axle can be pulled apart at the slipyoke. It may be frozen with rust if it doesn't come apart easily.


Welcome to the site

 

[alyoko]

thanks for the quick answer!!!!

I was aware of the stub shaft being helt in the diff with the 'C' clip BUT I was under the impression that the outer half of the shaft would 'pull out' of stub at the keystone rubber boot? (although I may as well drop the front diff and rebuild ALL of the front end - parts just aint that cheap in CANADA lol)

 

[atvkid4eva]

yeah it should just slip out of the yoke ive seen some of those boots get dry and require some force to seperate.