Problem removing spindle and brk caliper???

[desteurm]

Was wondering if anyone else has some tricks on how to take the spindle, and brake caliper off the knuckle on a D44? I tried for about an hour with no avail, used some heat, lots of liquid wrench, lots of swearing and many swings of my BFH. The vehicle is 23 years old ('78 Bronco) and from what I can see the original u-joints are still in the front axle assembly. I hope it doesn't resort to drilling the studs out of the knuckle but if that is the only way than so be it...I am going to replace the 5-297-x with the new u-j's that come in the Jp Rubicon 5-760 which is a lot beefier in the trunnion, there was a recent article in Peterson's about the new cross bone, built to handle the 4:1 reduction found in the t-case

Thanks for any help!:help

Matt

[lars]

Originally posted by desteurm
Was wondering if anyone else has some tricks on how to take the spindle, and brake caliper off the knuckle on a D44? I tried for about an hour with no avail, used some heat, lots of liquid wrench, lots of swearing and many swings of my BFH. The vehicle is 23 years old ('78 Bronco) and from what I can see the original u-joints are still in the front axle assembly. I hope it doesn't resort to drilling the studs out of the knuckle but if that is the only way than so be it...I am going to replace the 5-297-x with the new u-j's that come in the Jp Rubicon 5-760 which is a lot beefier in the trunnion, there was a recent article in Peterson's about the new cross bone, built to handle the 4:1 reduction found in the t-case

Try lots of heat plus putting a candle against the seam btwn the spindle and knuckle. That should suck the wax in and help break the bond. Also, tapping it with a hammer should help.

BTW, I don't know if the new 5-760 is a lot stronger or not. It replaces the 297x. Jeep probably used it simply because the 297 is no longer going to be in production (at least by Spicer).

...lars

[asleepatthewheel]

Simple solution. I used to beat the crap out of the spindles trying to get them off until the old light bulb finally lit up one day. I made an adapter from one of the bearing retaining nuts to fit my slide hammer. Turn the nut onto the spindle making sure that the threads are fully engaged and after few bangs, off comes the spindle. You should be able to make one up fairly easily.

Ed

[Rogue Bronco]

Originally posted by asleepatthewheel
I made an adapter from one of the bearing retaining nuts to fit my slide hammer. Turn the nut onto the spindle making sure that the threads are fully engaged and after few bangs, off comes the spindle.
Ed
This is the 'propor' way to do them, and there is a tool you can buy. probly alot-o-jake tho.
Bust out your trusty BFH & a block-o-wood. put wodd on spindle and beat it side to side. the wood wont damage spindle or threads. might have to beat it one way, insert screwdriver into gap, then beat other way, repeat as nessessary.

[CGBronco]

I had the same issue the first time I took mine apart and the only way it seemed to come off is to do what Rogue Bronco said and also use lots of liquid wrench as it starts to come off. A BFH is always good!

[mr.n]

First you need to remove calipers. To do this I took a screw driver, grinded it flat and took the head off. This is to make it just smaller than the shim holding on the caliper. Don't for get to re move the smae bolt first. I then took the tool and drove out the shim with a 3 lbs hammer. (Don't use a made in china POS to make your tool). Then I used a large screw driver and pried the caliper out.
The inner spindle nuts were stuck, so I used a 1" chizel and my 3 lbs hammer. Placed the chisel in the gap and broke the nut loose and I could take it out the normal from there.

Now to the spindle. THis is what always works for me. I grab a punch that the end is almost the same size as the spindle bolts. I place the punch on the end of the studs and use the 3 lbs hammer to send them out the knuckle (all 5 or six depending on knuckle). Give them a good hit, they will back out. Next take your 1" chisel and crack an opening in between the out most part of the spindle and knuckle. Rotate around the spindle until an area opens up. Give it a good couple smacks and open it up. Then place the tool (or another screw driver) in the slot you made. Take the chisel adn open up the 180 degree area. Walk the spindle out like this. works like a charm every time. I must have pulled 25+ like this. Most important tip I can give

Don't hit the threads with anything!

[desteurm]

Thanks for the help, I figured that I had to use my BFH and chisel or sharp instrument to split the spindle away from the caliper bracket, and then the caliper bracket away from the knuckle...

orignially posted by mr.n

I place the punch on the end of the studs and use the 3 lbs hammer to send them out the knuckle (all 5 or six depending on knuckle). Give them a good hit, they will back out.

If I bang the studs out of the knuckle do I have to buy new ones?

[Rogue Bronco]

If ya bang the studs out you do not need new ones(unless you bugger them up). You will however have to re install them(bang them in from behind).
The way I'ld do it is:
1) The spindle tool & slide hammer. It's just too easy, if you can afford the 'specialty' tool. (seen one used, never used one personaly)
2) 2x4 & BFH. Second fastest & easiest way to get the bugger off. Use the 2x4 on the flat SO YOU DONT MISS. If you hit the 2x4 with a sledge hammer, it wouldn't harm the spindle. Done it this way about 100+ times.
3)Chisel & BFH. I use to do it this way till someone 'enlightened' me. Sometimes the chisel/screwdriver will leave marks on the backside of spindle/front side of knuckle. MAKE SURE these are smoothed out before re-installing spindle. I never punched out spindle bolts doing it this way(not nessessary IMO). The 'knurled' section of the spindle studs ends at the knuckle, so they are not 'press fit' into the spindle. The spindle just slides onto them.
4) Since the caliper bracket is mounted behind the spindle (on Fords only), sometimes you can bang it around, then pull on the caliper bracket & the spindle will come off with it. (Faster than using spindle tool, but doesnt work all the time, especialy if it hasnt been apart in awhile).

Once the spindle is off, give the area that goes through the knuckle a lil cleaning(this is were the 'bindage' comes from).
Good luck
:cool: