Running without half shafts.

THIS FORUM IS FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON THE 7.25" IFS FRONT DIFF, CV HALF SHAFTS AND FRONT DRIVE SHAFT.
Post Reply

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Running without half shafts.

Post by ihatemybike »

Well I'm into my third day running Grumpy without the half shafts. So far it appears that having the hub axle shaft (misnamed?) in the hub is holding things together. Been running with the radio off so I can listen to the van. It makes noise, but not all the time. Thinking it might be suspension related. Van is also not pulling to either side anymore than it has since I've had it. I haven't taken it on any highways since the removal and the highest speed I've gone is 50 mph. Also, I have been jacking the front of the van up each day when I get home to spin and wiggle the wheels to check the bearings. They seem good so far.

I'm I being paranoid? What's it like to have these bearings go bad?

lockdoc, you ran without anything in the hubs. From what I understand that ruined your bearing. Any warning signs?
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: Running without half shafts.

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

I think Bill's warning sign was when the van stopped going forward and the wheel almost fell off! Luckily the caliper held the wheel on and he was only in his driveway! :yikes:
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

lockdoc
I sleep in my van
Posts: 704
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:50 am
Location: Plymouth Township, PA

Re: Running without half shafts.

Post by lockdoc »

Dean's got it. Didn't make it ten feet. I eventually dissambeled the half shaft and installed through the hub again to hold things together. I have a 4WD transfer case so I could live like this for awhile. You will tend to roll while in park on any kind of grade with the AWD Tcase so be careful. You can find complete new hubs on ebay for around $100.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Post Reply