94' b4000, front end worth working on??

[Jmazda94]

I recently bought a 94' b4000 with 107,000mi. My 4 wheel drive was making some loud rubbing noises, as if when the axle was spinning every turn there would be a noise. I checked the wheels..not from there, eventually I checked the front differential and there was NO oil in it. The lady I bought it from had no idea about trucks or anything for that matter, the farther I get into it i see that clearly. So I am wondering if it is even worth doing anymore work to the truck? I put oil in it and the noise was still bad for awhile but recently it seems to have slowed down. I live on a island in AK so it isn't that easy to get parts. But if the front end isn't screwed ill keep it. Any suggestions?

 

[infantry grunt]

i would fix it,maybe new bearings and seals since it was run without oil,but thats just my opinion.It could be more than just that,but if you like the truck and want to build on it thats what iwould do.Maybe you can get a second opinion from someone there who can look at it for you.good luck

 

[Andy D]

Keep the diff full. And turn up the radio.

 

[Jmazda94]

ha...ok? Is it a big deal to fix? I guessing its a bearing issue...?

 

[ap3x]

I'd fix it. I drive the same truck and I've got no problem my front end. It takes a beating, drives strait down the road. Clicks in and out of 4x4 without a problem.

 

[Andy D]

Rebuilding diffs is an art. If the bearings have been run dry ,so has the ring and pinion and the spider gears. Fill it up with the right lube, maybe go heavier Prolly easier to get gear oil on the island, than gears.

 

[Jmazda94]

haha, yep, definitely is. Come spring time im going to drain it and check it out. What should I be looking for?

 

[Fordisthebest30]

what island in AK? im here in juneau

 

[Jmazda94]

Fordisthebest30, I live in Sitka.

 

[n.a.mccanna]

I drive the same exact truck and just rolled 270,000 miles! Keep it. Had the same kind of problems....previous owner was an old lady that drove it very little and didn't take very good care of the 4WD. After replacing and fixing the parts that dried out and rotted, the truck is my daily driver. Put over 8,000 miles on it in the 6 months that I have owned it.

 

[Jmazda94]

n.a.mccanna, that is encouraging. What kind of problems did you have? Just wondering if you could shed some light on whats going on with mine.

 

[Fordisthebest30]

well if i were you id check the gears out in the differential for damage, and if there's no damage, id just would fill it full of oil, and run it to get the oil circulating through the system. If that doesn't work, hey your only out $10 for oil.

 

[Jmazda94]

That is true, I am going to drain what I have in there and check it all out. If they are in good shape and the noise is still there what could it be? Are there other barrings in the axel?

 

[Vexy]

Check for any metal shavings, and excessive wear on the ring+pinion. You really should take a look at the carrier and pinion bearings, but if you do not feel comfortable disassembling everything just leave it be. Its not like you are driving in 4x4 all the time. You only engage it when 2wd just isn't cutting it.

 

[Fordisthebest30]

Vexy makes a good point. I wouldn't fix it, just put sand in the back. I run around in 2wd most of the time here in juneau during the winter with 6 sand bags with wide tires and i get around just fine. I would just leave it be if it didn't work