Front axles

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:03 am

Greetings... I was roaming the boneyard the other day and found a '87 wagon (non-4wd). Are the FWD axles the same as the 4WD fronts? Also, is there differences in 4WD axles from year to year? Hoping someone might have some compatability info on this subject.

I just bought my 1983 4WD wagon for $550. My wife was pissed... but I'm not. The more I drive it, the more I like it. I rebuilt the carb and it runs and idles much better (found the float level was too high).

Thanks ...Paul

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:05 pm

There aren't any axles that are the same. The front wheel drive ones are close and would probably fit, but they don't have as much travel as the 4wd ones.

dug320 · Post by **dug320** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:51 pm

Before we go any further what do you mean by front axles?

The drive shafts are half an inch shorter on the 4wd vs the front wheel drive. I think the front hubs are the same.

1987 is a funny year for parts and compatibilty with older models.

Why is your wife pissed? Its not like you are going to get away quickly. She will know where you are; driving your car. Its not like you have taken up gambling or some other expensive addiction.

Now she has something to get you for christmas/birthday; tools or upgrade/newer parts and or the Toyota repair manual. I highly recommend the electric impact wrench.

Cheers

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:51 am

dug320 wrote: Why is your wife pissed? Its not like you are going to get away quickly. She will know where you are; driving your car. Its not like you have taken up gambling or some other expensive addiction.

HAHA!!

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:00 pm

It's not an addiction - it's a sickness - and I don't want to be cured. I've enjoyed fixing up old beaters for a long time now... guess the wife don't understand that. Anyway, I'll look at the remanufactured axles.

Thanks,

Paul

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 4:22 am

There is a long thread on the front axles...somewhere.

My conclusions on them:

* if you have useable OEM axles...leave them alone...don't replace them until it's really needed.

* it's difficult to find good rebuilt axles....get's to be a drag R&Ring them over & over.

* Cardone has possibly good axles...try not to go with the cheapest you find.

* can ask around in your area for the axles the mechanics use...they sure don't want the job coming back.

dug320 · Post by **dug320** » Wed Oct 20, 2004 10:10 pm

If the boots have cracked leave the shafts until the joints fail. If they fail, the best source for me was the local parts shop and asking which ones are better. They know, but are not always forthcoming.

When you decide to change'em. Measure the new against the old one. They better be equal. I have seen too many that are 1/2 and inch too short.

It is rather easy to change them.

Cheers

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:14 pm

I decided to check on-line for replacement axles. After checking a couple different sites, I noticed the following had the same part number for front axle assemblys:

4WD Wagon 8/82-12/87
2WD Wagon 8/83-7/87
Tercel 3/5 Dr 8/82-7/86

So I went back to the boneyard and grabbed the driver's side axle from the '87 2WD wagon. I pulled the bad axle out of my '83 4WD wagon and looked them both over. They both appeared to be the same length. Drove about 50 miles this afternoon, including a trip into the woods. So far, so good... no more clicking and thumping around right-hand turns.

Paul

dug320 · Post by **dug320** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 am

Excellent!!!!