Replacement Axle Assemblies from SurTrack.....

[tom4bren]

... I know all about extra bits lying around after the job!!

IZZAT why you goin all gangsta on the haf shaf in the pic???

[JHarris1385]

Ordered a set... Tore boots again, even with a diff drop.

[JHarris1385]

Ok...is there a how to or a write up on how to replace these?

My shop is intimidated by the VX just not wanting to mess it up and the computer is giving them a 6 + hour job estimate by dropping the whole axel and diff.

I have told them you can replace from the green cup out and it should be a quick job for the shop.

Looking for something simple to email them so they can follow it and understand what I was saying. Trouble for me is the shop it is at is about an hour away so it's not easy getting there and email is best for now.

[VXorado]

Ok...is there a how to or a write up on how to replace these?

My shop is intimidated by the VX just not wanting to mess it up and the computer is giving them a 6 + hour job estimate by dropping the whole axel and diff.

I have told them you can replace from the green cup out and it should be a quick job for the shop.

Looking for something simple to email them so they can follow it and understand what I was saying. Trouble for me is the shop it is at is about an hour away so it's not easy getting there and email is best for now.

The write-up is in the how-to section. I believe tom4bren wrote it.

[JHarris1385]

So utilize the MechTech boot How-to?

Not sure why they are intimidated.
They are the same shop that put my diff drop brackets on.

[tom4bren]

The write-up is in the how-to section. I believe tom4bren wrote it.

Yes it is ... & no I didn't. It's a great writeup & I'd like to take credit for it but I don't remember who did it (I may have converted it to pdf though). IIRC Billy gets the credit.

So utilize the MechTech boot How-to?

Not sure why they are intimidated.
They are the same shop that put my diff drop brackets on.

Yes,

Mebbe the previous job left them skeered. I learnt lots when I did it ... primarliy that I hope I don't hafta do it again. When I replaced the outter boots on Boys, the job only took me about 2 hours ... & then about another 2 hours scrubbing all the grease of'n me self.

[Triathlete]

Yep, thats my old write-up

[VXorado]

Billy wrote it, tom posted it. Effective cooperative effort.

So utilize the MechTech boot How-to?

Not sure why they are intimidated.
They are the same shop that put my diff drop brackets on.

Just tell them them it's MUCH easier than installing the diff drop brackets. The mecatech guide will work, only addition is to pull the hub flange and half shaft retaining ring. That will allow you to remove the old half shaft for replacement.

[JoFotoz]

If the same guys did the diff drop... it should be an easy job for them.

Stoop time to do one side is about 2 hours... with distractions!!
So shop time should be less.!!

Make sure they clean out the "Green Cup' really well before putting in the new 1/2 shaft.

Jo

[VXD959]

Installed my new Surtrak axles (complete assembly). My mechanic took 3 weeks to do the job, but can't complain as he charged me only $470 (including replacing the differential seals / gaskets). I kept the original ones as spare.

One week of work was lost due to:

1) He could not find the wheels' key (I guess the previous owner forgot to include them - glad I found out before a flat tire!!!). The mechanic lost my phone number and he did not want to break the wheel key without my permission. I called a week later to check on the VX to find out that he did not work on it.

2) Rusted bolts that needed to be loosen.

3) I instructed him to take his time and go slowly. Thankfully he had worked on a Trooper axle replacement before and knew the complications.

JoFotoz - kudos to you for finding the replacement axles!!!

[MSHardeman]

I'm about to order the Surtrak axles to do a swap on Vicki. The front driver side CV (as far as I can tell) has started clicking something fierce when the power gets pushed forward and I don't like it. I'm going to order the complete assembly and replace the axle because my original green cup was damaged and repaired so I figure I might as well just replace it now. Since I'm replacing the driver side, I might as well replace the passenger side too so I'll order both axles from Surtrak. Guess I should get some new bearings while I'm at it.

My question for anyone who has done this swap is: do you have to drop the front axle housing in order to get the axles out of the housing or can they be removed using the above mentioned CV boot fix/swap?

[LittleBeast]

Dang, Daniel, wish I would have seen this post back when you did your shafts, I could have done them for you in my driveway, I have it down to about 2 hours per side at the most.

My question for anyone who has done this swap is: do you have to drop the front axle housing in order to get the axles out of the housing or can they be removed using the above mentioned CV boot fix/swap?

No need to drop diff, just disconnect lower ball joint from lower control arm and move out of the way to pull inner CV out from green cup.

[Triathlete]

To change the complete axle w/inner green cup yes you have to drop the diff to remove the retaining clips. I will be doing this in the near future at the same time I replace all my control arm bushings and replace a steering hose

[MSHardeman]

Billy, I need to look into this a little more, but are the axles held in place by some clips in the pumpkin or is everything that you need to remove outboard with no need to get into the pumpkin?

[LittleBeast]

Oh whoops, yeah if you have inspected the green cup and made sure it is in fact damaged then yes you need to drop the diff, because the plates that mount the diff to the frame are used to hold the green cups in the diff. But still many of us (me included) have done this in our garages or driveways. As stated before it is just messy and time consuming.