IFS to SAS..SAS High maintenance issues??
#24
Registered User
Pulling a solid axle diff (almost the same as changing an axle, with the obvious difference of the diff removal)
Jack up the truck. Remove the front tires. remove calipers, remove the locking hubs, remove snap rings, remove bearing nuts, remove hub/rotor assembly, remove spindle, remove birf, slide inner axles out of the diff, remove driveshaft, remove diff.
Jack up the truck. Remove the front tires. remove calipers, remove the locking hubs, remove snap rings, remove bearing nuts, remove hub/rotor assembly, remove spindle, remove birf, slide inner axles out of the diff, remove driveshaft, remove diff.
I can honestly say that I haven't touched my front solid axle for any kind of breakage in 2 years of HARD wheeling (1 of them on 40's). The front hydro assist system is a different story
#26
Contributing Member
I don't think anyone will argue that a properly built SFA will probably have less breakage repairs than IFS, but this thread is about regular maintenance.
#27
Registered User
I also haven't touched it for any kind of regular maintenance for 2 years (I take that back, I did drain the gear oil halfway through year 1). Knuckles don't leak, 3rd doesn't leak, pinion doesn't leak, etc.... I've never had wheel bearing problems, trunion bearing problems or adjustments. I don't think guys that wheel IFS can say that.
#28
Contributing Member
I also haven't touched it for any kind of regular maintenance for 2 years (I take that back, I did drain the gear oil halfway through year 1). Knuckles don't leak, 3rd doesn't leak, pinion doesn't leak, etc.... I've never had wheel bearing problems, trunion bearing problems or adjustments. I don't think guys that wheel IFS can say that.
#31
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#32
Contributing Member
Once again, you're takling repairs, not regular maintenance!
39.5's (thank you for not calling them 40's) will increase your regular maintenance regardless of if they're on IFS or SFA...
39.5's (thank you for not calling them 40's) will increase your regular maintenance regardless of if they're on IFS or SFA...
#33
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#34
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personally i do not like working on IFS.
axle ike, i don't know how you were able to get the axleshaft out leaving the knuckle still in place... i have never been able to do that. it may just be because of BJ spacers... idk.
however, as much as i may be prejudiced against my own IFS, it hasn't given me any trouble other than needing to replace the probably 18 year old ball joints and axleshafts.
but for crying out loud, i'm gonna chop that *&#% off as soon as I have the $$$
axle ike, i don't know how you were able to get the axleshaft out leaving the knuckle still in place... i have never been able to do that. it may just be because of BJ spacers... idk.
however, as much as i may be prejudiced against my own IFS, it hasn't given me any trouble other than needing to replace the probably 18 year old ball joints and axleshafts.
but for crying out loud, i'm gonna chop that *&#% off as soon as I have the $$$
#35
Contributing Member
I think a bunch of confusion is resulting from a few of my statements.
Totally separate from each other, they are as follows:
1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.
2. I PERSONALLY find IFS easier to work on.
3. I find changing a CV much faster and easier than changing a birf. As I said, I can remove a CV, and replace with a new one without jacking the truck up, or removing a tire.
I am in NO WAY claiming IFS to be stronger or better than a solid axle. A properly built solid axle WILL take MUCH more abuse than IFS, and can stand up to 39.5's. Volcom has a properly built solid axle. I seriously doubt he'd be as maintenance free with stock stuff inside.
Cheers.
Totally separate from each other, they are as follows:
1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.
2. I PERSONALLY find IFS easier to work on.
3. I find changing a CV much faster and easier than changing a birf. As I said, I can remove a CV, and replace with a new one without jacking the truck up, or removing a tire.
I am in NO WAY claiming IFS to be stronger or better than a solid axle. A properly built solid axle WILL take MUCH more abuse than IFS, and can stand up to 39.5's. Volcom has a properly built solid axle. I seriously doubt he'd be as maintenance free with stock stuff inside.
Cheers.
#36
Registered User
I think a bunch of confusion is resulting from a few of my statements.
Totally separate from each other, they are as follows:
1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.
2. I PERSONALLY find IFS easier to work on.
3. I find changing a CV much faster and easier than changing a birf. As I said, I can remove a CV, and replace with a new one without jacking the truck up, or removing a tire.
I am in NO WAY claiming IFS to be stronger or better than a solid axle. A properly built solid axle WILL take MUCH more abuse than IFS, and can stand up to 39.5's. Volcom has a properly built solid axle. I seriously doubt he'd be as maintenance free with stock stuff inside.
Cheers.
Totally separate from each other, they are as follows:
1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.
2. I PERSONALLY find IFS easier to work on.
3. I find changing a CV much faster and easier than changing a birf. As I said, I can remove a CV, and replace with a new one without jacking the truck up, or removing a tire.
I am in NO WAY claiming IFS to be stronger or better than a solid axle. A properly built solid axle WILL take MUCH more abuse than IFS, and can stand up to 39.5's. Volcom has a properly built solid axle. I seriously doubt he'd be as maintenance free with stock stuff inside.
Cheers.
#37
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1. Solid axles and IFS require the same basic routine maintenance, whether you do it or not: repacking hub bearings, changing the diff fluid. When leaks appear, fixing seals. Diff fluid and hubs should be done every 60k or so, I do it more often, just because. There is no need to, its just how I am.
Last edited by Dusten; 11-19-2008 at 08:41 PM.
#38
Contributing Member
The only reason I've had to align my IFS in the past couple years is because I was replacing rusted components.
One thing to note: the ONLY alignment adjustment on a sold axle is toe. If you want camber or caster adjustments, you're out of luck.
One thing to note: the ONLY alignment adjustment on a sold axle is toe. If you want camber or caster adjustments, you're out of luck.
#39
Contributing Member
you can slightly adjust caster by using shims with leaf springs, or with caster bushings on radius arms.
Major adjustment has to be done with a cut and turn. Not as simple as IFS.
But, as Dusten points out: not necessary very often.
Major adjustment has to be done with a cut and turn. Not as simple as IFS.
But, as Dusten points out: not necessary very often.
#40
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The only ifs(ish) rigs i've owned are TTB fords, and they are alignment whores, and are never happy with it.