s10 unlocking axle

[MountainManJoe]

this might be a stupid question but ... why is there a preload on the TC clutch pack?

[doyoulikeithere]

It only stops the front parts from turning full speed. The driver side front axle shaft is still turning the spider gears and possibly the ring/pinion and prop shaft. If you have an AWD, the front stuff turns anyways due to t-case clutch pack pre-loads.

It takes all the load off the whole drive-line right from the wheel nuts to the transfer case output.
Without the s10 disconnect, all that is under load from the tires turning, and the only thing stopping it (by hand? not) is the transfer case gear selection in 2HI or N.
With the s10 disconnect, I bet it would be stoppable by hand, but I'n not climbing under there on the freeway to try it out

I had a Jeep CJ and if I left the axle hubs locked in, and only took the transfer case out, into 2HI, I could effectively drive around in 2wd just like an AWD van with a np231C in 2HI.

What I did notice on my jeep in 2Hi with hubs Locked, was a noise developed in the transfer case to front drive shaft yoke bearing, so I decided not to apply the wear n tear, and unlock the hubs. Same deal here I think, pretty much.

[willisworms]

Well I went to the pick and pull yesterday and walked around. There are two blazers there with the motors pulled and easy access to the front diff. one is a 2000 and the other is a 01. The ground was a complete mess! The mud was dangerously close to creeping into my shoes. I'm thinking this project will be on hold until the ground firms up.

[doyoulikeithere]

You didnt wear Boots to the p&p in the wintertime?

[willisworms]

I knew I was gonna get called on that. I was doing a job in the area and had on my steel toe shoes.

[doyoulikeithere]

Just razzin ya, I went there a couple weeks ago, in snow, with Crocs on. Lol.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

NOTE: If you have an AWD that is 1990 to 1998 you can NOT install an unlocking front axle without possibly damaging the transfer case. You also will not have a true park position in the tranny and your van WILL roll when parked on a hill unless you set the parking brake.

If you have a 1999-2005 AWD, the transfer case is engaged by an electric servo motor so it may not care if the front is engaged or not. I do not know if these newer vans will roll if the front is disconnected.

If you have a true 2 speed part-time transfer case, like a NP231, then by all means swap an s-10 axle disconnect in there as it will keep most of the front end parts from turning all the time. The CV half shafts will still turn though.

[MountainManJoe]

Any idea how much preload there is? For instance, can it be overcome using just your hands?

I just found a partial answer to this (http://www.rsgear.com/technical/articles/2007_12.pdf)
There is 100lbs of preload on the clutch, but what that translates to in terms of torque will depend on how much friction there is on the clutch plates.

[willisworms]

Any idea how much preload there is? For instance, can it be overcome using just your hands?

I just found a partial answer to this (http://www.rsgear.com/technical/articles/2007_12.pdf)
There is 100lbs of preload on the clutch, but what that translates to in terms of torque will depend on how much friction there is on the clutch plates.

It seems to me, that would make this conversion all the more worth it. With a hundred pounds preload, and all resulting friction, its like driving around with your brakes dragging.

[peter]

I think you'd be surprised how little drag the front end adds.

I had the disconnect on my van after the engine swap, along with a 2-speed NP-241 t-case. Only difference I noticed was a complete elimination of a very minor vibration at 60+mph. I attribute that to the t-case, though I don't know why.

Oh, and in case you haven't been warned yet, do NOT use the S-10 support brackets on your van. Take the 5 minutes extra to swap out the OEM Astro brackets, 'cause they are NOT the same.

[doyoulikeithere]

Oh, and in case you haven't been warned yet, do NOT use the S-10 support brackets on your van. Take the 5 minutes extra to swap out the OEM Astro brackets, 'cause they are NOT the same.

Sorry, getting a wee bit off topic here..... PM might be better but then no-one else can get the info either...

Have you got a pic of the "support Bracket" you refer too?

I just put an S10- Tcase into my van and I am unsure of what support brackets you refer too.
It seems None of the bars/brackets that helped to stabilize my 95 astro transfer case will fit to the s10 np231 tcase.
I will make my own if need be but I'm wondering if there is a part I missed (the "brackets") when shopping for parts to do the swap .
the one I think may be missing, would prevent the tcase from spin-twisting up/down at the front shaft output end of the tcase, if the front drive is under power.
I havent made a front driveshaft yet, or used the 4wd so I will be needing the tcase fully strapped in first.

DSC02658.JPG

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Sorry, getting a wee bit off topic here.....

Actually Peter is on topic as the questions are about the front diff. The t-case was just mentioned in his swap. The bracket he is referring to is the one on the passenger side axle tube that the front diff bolts to and then to the frame. If you use the s-10 one, you can snap CV shafts due to the angles.

[doyoulikeithere]

ok, obviously I'm a bit confused here.

I put an s10 diff/axle unit into my van. No sweat, fit right in. I dont remember seeing any removable bracket on the passenger side.
The only bracket I can think of fitting your description is the flat plate with 2 holes, welded to the axle tube at the passenger side end. you bolt it to the frame thru its 2 holes.
terminology can be a bitch eh? to see what I am referring too, it is #5 on the PDF of the s10 diff I posted in the 1st page of this thread.
I'm confused about the bracket you can swap in 5 minutes. I cant un-weld that plate, so what exactly are you folks eluding too, so I could avoid killing CV joints too.
Or is that only a prob for guys who run 502 big block ? I have a stout 4.3.

Please explain this further.

[peter]

Maybe the set-up is different on your 90', but the complete diff/axle assembly on my front assembly is held in place by a flange which is welded to the axle tube on one side. But on the other side, there's a dogleg bracket which attaches the assembly to the frame. That's the one I'm talking about.

The two brackets seem identical at first glance. But they're not. The S-10 bracket will cause your assembly to not sit perfectly level. That will cause you to blow out the cv joint on hard left turns in 4wd. I blew out two before finding the culprit.

Oh, and I wouldn't even bother with the bracket/rod that bolts to the t-case. I never bothered on my big-block swap & it wasn't an issue at all.

[willisworms]

doyoulikeithere. I join you in your confusion. Peter, Do you have a picture of this bracket? I am going out to the driveway To itch my shoulder blades.