Hey all ...

I'm going to help a friend change out the entire rear end (diff and whole works) a Junkyard axle on his '94 Rodeo.

I can't imagine it's going to be a very big deal, but I just wanted to ask if anyone could think of any obvious gotcha's.

I know I'll have to verify the gear ratio (don't think there was much besides the dana 44 with 4.10 gears in '94) and make sure it has ABS.

Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks!!

Double-check that gear ratio if you can, Steve - I relied on info from the web and other sources, and people told me a whole bunch of different things (4.56, 4.10, etc).

Beyond that, it's a swap you can easily do in a day. God knows I've pulled my rear axle, messed around with it (like spring packs) and put it back in by myself easily. On one occasion, I actually did it three times in one day.

Don't ask. Really.

if you stick with 4wd Rodeos, there's only 4.10 or 4.30 and a pretty even number of both. there will be some disagreement about this, but IMO, if you got 15" wheels from the factory, you got 4.10s, the optional 16"s got 4.30.

if you open your search up to include 2wd Rodeo's, you'll pick up a few other ratios as well, i think 4.56 and i once heard rumor 4.77

-Rob

Junkard axle Huh?
What to look for?
Worn out bearings, gear wear pattern, axle seals, fluid condition, brakes, axle shaft condition,spline damage, uh, a whole bunch of stuff.
I'd say if your going to pull out a junkyard axle and slap it into a truck for road use with no more info than does the gear ratio match, your friend is asking for trouble. May as well play Russian Roulette with his family.
Suppose that axle was in an accident where the axle shaft got cracked. Or it has gear teeth pieces floating around in it. Or has so many miles on it the bearing are ready to lock up. Or the seals are old and ready to start leaking grease all over the brakes. Fire or brake failure is a real possibility. And we all know what they mount next to the rear axle don't we. Can you say FLAMMIBLE?
Not a big fan of the "pick and pull and slap it in" method of car repair. My family is worth more than the money I'd save.
Just my 2cents.

CJ

Wow. Not a whole lot of doubt on your opinion there, CJ.

I don't think that Steve is looking for a slap-it-in sort of solution to this problem. And I believe, that with careful examination of the condition of the rest of the vehicle, you can get good parts for a decent price from a salvage yard. (note the lack of the word "junk" - it's not junk if the $15 brake brackets that I pulled from that 76 Waggy last weekend are going to save me $250 in wheels by not having to run 8-lugs on the new 14-bolt axle, not to mention the conversion to 3/4ton Chevy hubs up front).

You have to know what you're getting into, meaning: a rebuild of the bearings, changing out the diff oil, core the calipers for new/rebuilt ones, etc. Even with that, you're getting a better deal than new parts, right? I would actually assume that you could run the stock gear setup. Who's ever heard of a stock R+P blowing up on here on a daily driver?

Steve's a consciencious guy when it comes to this. He'll do the right thing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well ... considering the current Rodeo has 150,000 miles on it, the CURRENT axle could have other problems that haven't been identified yet. Any of those things could happen to it.

Bottom line is ... we're changing out a used axle for a used axle. I'll be changing out all the brakes and such (duh!!) and replacing new parts as I need to, and of course I'll check it out as thoroughly as possible.

To me, it's kind of like buying a used car. You check it out as much as possible, but bottom line is you may find other problems later on.

Have you ever bought a used car, Curtis? If so, then it's ridiculous that you'd come out so hard core against buying used parts at a junkyard. A used car is just a collection of used parts that you don't know the history of.

I think a lot of people buy used cars. Even if they care about their families. Sometimes they even drive old cars with a lot of miles on them. We can't all drive brand new Volvo's every day -- and most of us don't want to. It doesn't mean we're willing to play Russian Roullette with our family's lives, it just means that most of us have to live in the real world, and since fixing the current axle isn't an option the only way to get this vehicle back on the road is to go used.

Sorry if this post was too harsh ... but it wasn't as harsh as yours.

So I have to ask. Why the axle swap...

He's got a lot of issues with it. It's making constant noise and "banging" when cornering, and he's been told repairs will cost $2,500.00 (a '94 Rodeo is only worth about $3,200 or so). I actually don't know all the details, but he couldn't explain it well because he doesn't do a lot much mechanically. Since the problem seems to be with the diff itself I can't imagine I can fix it.

I did tell him he should try some other shops, since most shops just look up Isuzu part numbers and price a job with those horrendous prices instead of looking up generic D44 parts (been there before) but he's turning this Rodeo into his 3rd vehicle/camping/off-roading toy, so he does want to go as cheap as possible.

An axle from pull-n-save (if they happen to have a Rodeo -- haven't seen many) is only like $52 and you can check the condition of the car it came off of.

Although Curtis did point out some good issues, an axle is something I've never worried about going to a junk yard for.

So theoretically, you might be able to just get away with changing out the carrier and maybe an axleshaft or two... that would seem much easier. It would be kind of a PIA to swap the entire axle.... but it's prolly cleaner.

Ok, he's got 150,00 miles on his Rodeo. At least he knows where it's been and what abuse it's gone through. I'm sorry if you guys think I was being harsh. But understand. A used axle is a USED axle. An axle from a wrecking yard could very easily have other issues than just wear. Now, we're not talking about brackets and wheels that can be wire brushed clean and spayed with some paint to look new again. We're talking major component, your life depends on this part, kind of stuff. And just to clear the air. I have and still do buy used parts from salvage yards. But I do not put them in my auto and drive them without going through every nut and bolt and replacing the wear item... Granted not everyone can afford to completely rebuild every part they buy, but my loved ones won't ride in it until I'm absolutly sure it's going to be safe. And I mean checked , xrayed if I have to, magnifluxed what ever...



You didn't say that, I don't believe, in your initial post. Hell, I won't run someone elses used calipers without rebuilding them first. Safety Item, that's important to have in top working order. So then, I assumed the worst because you didn't say that. Good! I always believed you were smarter than that. Glad to hear it's true.



Yes I have bought many used cars. And granted, were not Donald Trumps here. But, I only buy used cars only if they haven't been clipped or in a major accidents. I am a used car salesmans worst nightmare.<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> Imagine the shock load an engine and drive train gets when it goes from 65 mph to 0 mph when it hits a Mack Truck or whatever!. That kind of action cracks stuff if not shear it all apart.



New Volvos, Ha that sounds like my ex wife. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I know you don't know me personally, so let's get this out. I drive a used Dodge pickup with over 1000,000 miles on it. Other than my wifes car which she bought new, I haven't purchased a new vehicle in 30 years. I do all my own maintenance and build many of my rigs from used parts I have bought. My Rodeo has 150,000 miles onit and it was built with all used parts. Even my motorhome was bought used and I've rebuilt it. I rebuild or have every part rebuilt before I put in my vehicle. Especially safety related items. I have been poor most of my life and am just now getting to the point were I don't have to worry if my bills are more than my paycheck. At 53 years old that doesn't say much, does it. I've had to start over with nothing three times( my aformention Ex the cause of the last two). Yes, I do think out of the box, but most us here do. That's why I hang around here. I like you guys and want all of you as safe as we can make you.




I apologize beacuse I admit I came on real strong on this one this morning but hey, for the record, it isn't the need to use used parts, that I feel so strongly about. I read that you were planning to use a wrecking yard axle as a replacement with no more investigation that if the gear ratio was a match. No metion of swapping brake components over from the original Rodeo or the like.
Let's make this clear Folks. My vehement objection is "using unknown condition safety related parts in a vehicle just because they'll bolt in". Please, please please, use your heads. Go ahead and spend the time and money to make sure the parts you use are the safest part you can get.
I am dead serious!
One of the best friends I ever had was killed by a tire and front axle stub that came off a 2 1/2 ton truck on the highway. He just happened to be driving the other way at the wrong time. And yes, the axle on the truck had just been replaced by a mechanic two days before from one he had gotten from a wrecking yard. I still miss him evey day!
My apologies if your feathers are ruffled, maybe somebody will wake up because of our discussion.

With that, I'm going to go kiss my wife and tell her how much I love her, and I'm really glad she's home safe........

Best regards my friends,
Curtis Johnson