Yesterday, with capable help of Bill Bramlett & his shop, tools, etc., we
replaced the front wheel bearings, both knuckles, 1 hub, & all CV joints on
my Transmode. I bought the rebuilt half shaft assemblies for '76 Toro from
Auto Zone for $80 per side. We removed the joints & swapped axles, the GMC
axles being longer. This was a fairly simple operation: on the outer joint,
we removed both clamp straps on the boot, slid boot back & spread the outer
snap ring & removed the joint. We then removed the inner snap ring & slid
the boot off. Even easier on the inboard joint--removed the can on the end
that goes into the driveshaft stub & the clamp strap on the shaft end. DO
NOT remove the can from the inside cast part of the housing--it is crimped
all the way around. Then spread the snap ring on the end of the shaft &
slide the joint enough to clear the snap ring from the groove. Then we used
a blunt instrument under the small end of the boot to gently work it over
the inner snap ring without tearing it & slid boot & joint off shaft. On
reassembly, we ground down the inner snap ring ears a little to minimize
sharp edges & worked the boot over it with the blunt instrument (screwdriver
with shaft bent 90 degrees & the tip rounded off), rest is reverse of
disassembly. When done, replace boot bands, double wrapping them to get
them tight. Then, slide the old joints onto the Toro shafts (don't worry
about snap rings & boots, they replace them anyhow) & take them back &
recover your exorbitant core deposit. We had to use a small file to clean
up the splines on the new outer joints where they go into the knuckle. Be
sure & check this first for fit--probably save a lot of cussing. All in
all, a pretty smooth deal with 2 of us doing it. They use a heavy grease in
the joints--about like chassis lube--easy to scoop out & push back in. The
new joints felt real good & now I'm warm & fuzzy knowing I don't have to
worry about these items. I hope this fairly clear--if not let me know &
I'll try to clarify further.
Happy Motoring
Steve Clevenger
76 Transmode
Tulsa, OK.
replaced the front wheel bearings, both knuckles, 1 hub, & all CV joints on
my Transmode. I bought the rebuilt half shaft assemblies for '76 Toro from
Auto Zone for $80 per side. We removed the joints & swapped axles, the GMC
axles being longer. This was a fairly simple operation: on the outer joint,
we removed both clamp straps on the boot, slid boot back & spread the outer
snap ring & removed the joint. We then removed the inner snap ring & slid
the boot off. Even easier on the inboard joint--removed the can on the end
that goes into the driveshaft stub & the clamp strap on the shaft end. DO
NOT remove the can from the inside cast part of the housing--it is crimped
all the way around. Then spread the snap ring on the end of the shaft &
slide the joint enough to clear the snap ring from the groove. Then we used
a blunt instrument under the small end of the boot to gently work it over
the inner snap ring without tearing it & slid boot & joint off shaft. On
reassembly, we ground down the inner snap ring ears a little to minimize
sharp edges & worked the boot over it with the blunt instrument (screwdriver
with shaft bent 90 degrees & the tip rounded off), rest is reverse of
disassembly. When done, replace boot bands, double wrapping them to get
them tight. Then, slide the old joints onto the Toro shafts (don't worry
about snap rings & boots, they replace them anyhow) & take them back &
recover your exorbitant core deposit. We had to use a small file to clean
up the splines on the new outer joints where they go into the knuckle. Be
sure & check this first for fit--probably save a lot of cussing. All in
all, a pretty smooth deal with 2 of us doing it. They use a heavy grease in
the joints--about like chassis lube--easy to scoop out & push back in. The
new joints felt real good & now I'm warm & fuzzy knowing I don't have to
worry about these items. I hope this fairly clear--if not let me know &
I'll try to clarify further.
Happy Motoring
Steve Clevenger
76 Transmode
Tulsa, OK.
