Chaging front gears

[tanbuddy]

I bought the front d-28 center section with 4.11s to replace my 373s. WHat is the easiest way to change this? The tech library says to pull the spindles/axle shafts and then the 3rd member, leaving the ttb in the truck. I think it might be easier to pull the whole driver side ttb and then pull out the 3rd member, i dont need to pull any spindles then.
Anyone done this before and know which way is easier??

 

[mhughes165]

spindles take all of 5 minutes per side to pop out, then just yank axles offtake the bolts out of the front of the 3rd drop it out, bolt up ur new one, and reassemble, all in all should take u about 2 hours if u have no clue what your doing

 

[crbnunit]

You would still have to pull the spindle on the Driver's side anyway. I have always found it easier to pull the whole arm. I hate working with that stuff under the truck. For one thing, it is hard to get things clean under there. You want your new gears to be clean. Plus it is just asier to line everything up with the arm out. Go to the local hardware store and buy some metric (8mmx1?) studs to screw into the third member. Makes installation much easier and keeps that nice bead of RTV from smearing all over the face of the TTB arm as you install things. Lastly, get a drain plug and drill/tap your third member while you have it out. Makes life simpler.

 

[tanbuddy]

I got the 3rd memeber out of the donor axle without taking off the drivers spindle today, but it was a real bitch and i had to work it to get it free. Getting it in might be another story tho. Adding the drain plug is a good idea too. Im leaning towards taking out the beam cuz i can do the rad arm bushings at the same time. Should be easy enough eather way