Front Axle Swap Question

[1970BannerBlazer]

I’m swapping out the junk front axle from my 1970 4x4. Does anyone know if the knuckles can be removed with the hubs installed still? I’d like to not have to remove them if I don’t have to.

I’m swapping in an axle from a 1975. My plan is to swap over the knuckles and hubs onto the new axle. From what I read, everything should fit together.

I’m also swapping out the leaf springs and shocks at the same time but that is a different subject.

[Mike C]

You need to pull the axles to disassemble the knuckles, so hubs have to come off. IMO, you are making a mistake by not using the ‘75 axle complete with it’s disc brakes or am I misunderstanding?

[1970BannerBlazer]

Originally Posted by Mike C

You need to pull the axles to disassemble the knuckles, so hubs have to come off. IMO, you are making a mistake by not using the ‘75 axle complete with it’s disc brakes or am I misunderstanding?

Good point on the axles. I already put on a disk brake kit on my 70 knuckles. Prior to finding out the front diff/axle was total junk.

[1970BannerBlazer]

Originally Posted by Mike C

You need to pull the axles to disassemble the knuckles, so hubs have to come off. IMO, you are making a mistake by not using the ‘75 axle complete with it’s disc brakes or am I misunderstanding?

What if I pull the axle shaft, knuckle, hub at the same time? If I remember, once the knuckle is pulled there is no other retainer for the axle shaft. I can then just slide the shafts back in and connect the knuckle to the ball joints?

This is all assuming that I can reuse the axles out of the 70. They also might be rusted trash.

I’m just trying to figure out how to same time. I only have a day with the lift and I have to also do front and back leaf springs and shocks.

[1rippen6]

I think you are asking for trouble, if you have problems with a ball joint then you'll be fighting with an axle in your way. If you had it apart recently, he should come apart fairly easy, just my opinion. Also, with the axle in the back of the spindle, I don't know if it will drop far enough to get the ball joints out.

[Skymortar]

I don’t think you will be able to. I don’t think you can get the bottom ball joint nut off with the axle in. Here’s a pic with the axle out