Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Yep did that before, had a hard time on my buddy's truck getting the last piece out. Then we changed his to 1 ton diff's too. Darn 38.5" Boggers.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Hey man I'm passing you up!!! on the axles anyway. I just finished totally rebuilding my '82 10b for the front of my '69. Hopefully yours isn't as bad as mine. I spent over $300 at the parts house on new all new spindle bearings/seals and u-joints.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Ha! Well, when it comes to stuff like this I tend to over-analyze instead of just git'r'dun :lol: Did you replace the inner axle seals when you did yours? How about the pinion seal?

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

yes, and the pinion and carrier bearings. all that came in a kit with mine. That was an additional $50 to the $300 i spent on the spindle bearings, But I had to change out the gear ratio so it was an easy decision for me. My axle now has all new parts except for the ball joints. I'll probably regret that later, but I want to get it on the road and then I'll take it to the alignment shop and see exactly what it needs.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

So, when you did the pinion seal, you had to reset the gears (backlash and bearing preload) right? Was it difficult?

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

I installed new gears so yes I had to set up the backlash and gear pattern again. If You are just installing a pinion seal you can probably go buy some gear marking compound (or just use grease) and check the pattern before you pull anything loose. Then pull the pinion nut off and change the pinion seal. then put the nut back on and tighten it down and double check the pattern. As long as you don't crush the crush sleeve any more than it already is you should be fine and the pattern shouldn't change. And as long as you don't take the carrier out the backlash shouldn't change.

if the pattern does change you should pull the carrier out and MAKE SURE you keep the shims in order because they handle the backlash. and then get yourself an in-lb torque wrench and a new crush sleeve and set the pinion preload back to specs. I'm not 100% sure what that spec is though. I think mine is set around 15 in-lb.

EDIT: I should make it clear that the crush sleeve controls pinion bearing preload and it is very important that the pinion bearings dont' have any slack in them. The marking compound may not give you a good indication of this. The best way is to pull the carrier out and reset the bearing preload with a new crush sleeve and a in-lb torque wrench. BUT! this is a front axle and it does not move with the hubs unlocked. It really does not see near the mileage that a rear axle will see. you are probably fine with the method above.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Awesome! Thank you for letting me hammer you with questions when you just came to check in :lol:

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

no problem! make sure that you read my edit that I just added to my previous post and check out the facebook link in my sig for some pictures of my front axle rebuilt. Someday I need to actually do a real build thread.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

I've actually been following your progress on FB, I'll have to look again at the axle rebuild stuff. Also, got the edit. Thank you again!

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

here are two very helpful links for working on a GM 8.5" front diff.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=536415&page=2
http://truckmodcentral.com/forums/f1...l-setup-11732/

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Well, it was an awesome day yesterday! I finally got the Extreme Chassis Black laid down! I still have to flip the frame and get the bottom, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

All scuffed up and ready to lay down
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Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

looking good !

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Nice work!!!

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Thanks guys! I hope I don't screw it up when I flip it :lol:

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

That frame is lookin good!! Mine is going to have to settle for rattlecan rustoleum semi-gloss black and no frame flip lol.

How is your front axle coming along??

Also I just noticed on your passenger side front shackle hanger you have that same piece of plate welded across one shackle. I thought that wasn't factory and I cut it out because it wouldn't work with my 73-87 lift springs and now I see it on yours. I wonder what they needed that for.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Thanks! Had I not purchased the paint about a year ago, I would have probably gone that route as well.

I moved the front axle out of the way so I could paint. Does that count? :lol: I just pulled the trigger on seals, ball joints, U Joints, "new" left axle assembly and the Mile Marker hubs you suggested. Hopefully the parts will start showing up so I have something to do on it this weekend.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Gotta love a freshly painted frame. Why, I don't know, but they look sure look cool. Mine is Rust-O-Leum, too. Sprayed it on with a gun, but still Rust-O-Leum.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

I do love the fresh paint! I wish I had a rotisserie so that I could have finished it over the weekend. Oh well, now I'm going to have to figure out how to make it look decent when I paint the bottom.

Nothing wrong with Rust-O-Leum. I chose the Extreme Chassis Black for a bit more durability (I hope ;))

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Frame is looking really nice Mike. That is one of those really satisfying accomplishments that motivates you to keep moving because that part of the build looks so good!

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Thanks Rick! Hopefully things can start moving with this build here shortly.

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Plus, you no longer have to work on rusty stuff.
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Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

Amen! I spent a couple hours tonight cleaning up the front axle. I'll be ready to paint both of them this weekend. I haven't decided if I'm going to use the chassis black, or just Duplicolor them. I guess I'll decide this weekend :lol:

Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

So having the frame painted has given me a boost of motivation. I've spent the last few days ordering parts, and cleaning up the front axle. I still need to clean out the axle tubes, but I should have the underside of the frame and axles painted and ready to rock this weekend :metal:

Here's some pics for my documentation purposes.

Here's what started this whole mess

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Axle seals must have been leaking a little because the inside of the axle tubes were caked with an oily gritty mess! I'm really happy I decided to rip this down now. It would have been a biotch to do this when the truck is done...and I'm 90 :lol:

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Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

New parts started showing up!!!

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BIG a$$ box for one item :lol:

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Re: 69 GMC "Ol' Blue"
 

looks like a complimentary fridge magnet in the box so that's 2 items!