Tools |
Description/Job |
Snap Ring Pliers |
For installing the snap ring at end of axle |
Flat ended Brass Drift or Punch |
To help re-install the Knuckle races |
BFH |
To be used with the drift or punch for the above job and to beat on whatever is handy when something doesn't work right. I use a long handled 3 lb sledge. |
17 mm 6 point socket |
For the steering arm and lower knuckle bearing retainer nuts and the tie rod end castle nuts. |
14 mm 6 point socket |
For installing the banjo connector bolt for the brake line manifold |
10mm 6 point socket |
For installing the 8 small bolts holding the ball seals on the back of the knuckle. |
12 mm 6 point socket |
To installing the brake line manifold from the brake backing plate and to remove the wheel cylinders from the backing plate. |
17mm and 10mm flare nut wrenches |
For installing the rubber front brake
lines, the brake manifold lines from the wheel cylinders, and installing
the bleeder screws. |
17 mm open end wrench |
For Knuckle stud nut installing. |
52 mm 6 point socket (or a 2 1/16") |
To properly torque the wheel bearing retaining nuts. |
Lug nut wrench or 22mm 6 point socket |
To install the lug nuts. |
Torque Wrench |
For setting torque of all fasteners. |
Large Phillips Screwdriver or impact
driver |
To install the brake hub retaining screws if you still have them. |
Needle nose pliers
|
To install the steering arm tie rod cotter pins. |
2 Rolls of heavy duty shop towels |
To wipe off all the grease that will get on EVERYTHING ... |
Box of Disposable Latex Gloves |
Unless you like the feel of grease on your hands? |
Safety Glasses |
When pounding on stuff with the BFH things tend to fly. |
Shop manual for your truck |
Several of these manuals are on line for download. www.birfield.com |
Tap and die set |
For cleaning up the threads on bolts and tapped holes. Note most sets don't include a 12mm x 1.25 (fine thread) die. This is what the top studs on the knuckle are, the lug nuts, and the steering stops . |
3'
length of 1 1/2" pipe |
To separate the Birfield from the inner axle. |
Anti-seize |
For all nuts and bolts that don't require thread locker |
Multi-purpose grease |
You will need at least 2 pounds of this for the Birfield's and all the Knuckle bearings. |
Thread Locker |
For Knuckle Stud bolts |
Pipe Wrench or Channel
Locks |
To set tie rod length |
8mm x 1.25 x 3"
studs |
You can cut the heads off of bolts for these. Makes putting spindle on much easier! |
There are several prep steps that you can do to make the re-assembly go much smoother.
Fig. 1 Knuckles Before Prepping |
Get on your latex gloves and clear off the work bench. Time to take the Birfield's apart to clean and inspect them! Of course if you are rich, then you will have bought a set of Long Fields or something similar, and can skip all this messy crap.
Fig. 6 Page 2 |
Fig. 7 Race Into Cage |
Fig. 8 Aligning the race |
Fig. 9 Cage & Race In |
Fig. 10 1st Ball In
|
Fig. 11 Push ball down into place |
Fig. 12 Second Ball |
Fig. 13 All Greased up |
The early style oil seals have a replaceable felt inner ring. These will be included in your knuckle rebuild kit and they are pretty easy to install.
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