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[Avalon]

 I have obtained a front axle , hopefully to get my front wheel drive working again for winter plowing.

How can I determine if it is a completely working axle?

John

[w3526602]

Hi John,

Hold one hub stationary, while turning the differential drive flange. The hub should turn ... unless it has FWH, in which case you will have work it out yourself.

Drain the axle into a large (sacrificial) bowl. Examine oil for "bits" of metal. Examine the state of the drain bung. Er ...should there be a washer? Don't forget to refill the axle.

Waggle the drive flange back and fore, through it's freeplay. Be prepared for a shock when you see how much free play there is. Watch for the flange and pinion screwing in and out of the diff housing, as you rotate it.

Shufti the filler bungs (3?) for damage/abuse.

Just about everything else is probably best done when the axle is fitted ... although the differential is somewhat heavy when your are holding it above your nose.

602.

PS. Yes, the drain bung does have washer.

[geoff]

How can I determine if it is a completely working axle?

  Completely strip down  ................... Seriously though, strip it 

[Moogling]

  Completely strip down  ................... Seriously though, strip it 

Yeah there's really no other way to make sure you're 100%

They can hide a surprising amount of issues on the surface.

[geoff]

 I'd not want a failure in the middle of a snow drift    hence my advice 

[Avalon]

So I turn the centre diff mechanism and only the left or long axle turns. The right side is immobile. Is this an indication of the same problem that I have with my original axle?
I only wanted the donor axle for parts as I don't want to install an axle assembly.
Fortunately, we have just experienced enough warm weather to try and dismantle the original so then I will know the real problem.
Thanks for your advice and I will keep up to date with my findings.

John in Ontario

[rustylandrovers]

The diff is open, so the power will go down the path of least resistance. You just need a little bit of drag on one side and it won't turn.

Unless something is up with it, if you stop the left hand side from turning and turn the input, the right side should turn.

Front axles tend to have an easier life than rears, so fingers cross it's a good 'un.

[Avalon]

The diff is open, so the power will go down the path of least resistance. You just need a little bit of drag on one side and it won't turn.

Unless something is up with it, if you stop the left hand side from turning and turn the input, the right side should turn.

Front axles tend to have an easier life than rears, so fingers cross it's a good 'un.

Many thanks! That was exactly the information that I needed.

I locked the left side so it wouldn't turn, then turned the centre diff and the right axle turned.
I then unlocked the left side, and turned the right side and the diff started to turn.
I wasn't able to do that before but I didn't use your procedure.

Now to dismantle the right side as I believe I only need the half shaft to repair my plow Rover.
I think this will be easier than trying to put the donor axle in.

Cheers
John