Left side front half shaft

[evomaki]

Guys,

What is the most expedient trailside repair method for removing and replacing the left side front half shaft. I've only replaced mine (Gen 2.5) once and it was in my shop with everything on the front end apart. What is the bare minimum trailside fix, and best practice, so to speak? Do you separate the upper ball joint from its control arm, and the tie rod. Or both ball joints and not the tie rod. Does the shock need to be removed? Just trying to learn from someone else's experience. With most of this Mitsu stuff, there is a Zen master method, and a hack method. I wind up doing the latter more than I care.

Also, anyone ever thought about machining two flanges and modifying the left half shaft? Basically cut the half shaft, weld the flanges to each side and bolt the thing together. This would make trailside repair a breeze. The broken shaft would come out easily enough, but if the spare shaft has this flange, just split it install each side and reconnect. I think you could do it with a ratchet and 14mm socket, a 14mm wrench, and snap ring pliers. Thanks,

 

[Toasty]

You're a funny guy, i can yank and install a CV with just the balljoints and TRE unbolted. I leave the brakes on, you can snake even the 100mm CV between the shock and lower bumpstop. The trick is balancing the knuckle assembly while you do this, i balance it on my knee and support it with my shoulder while i wrangle the CV. I've seen other guys use a ratchet strap to secure the knuckle (recommend this).
As for the other thing you mentioned... I'm working on that already for you, the idea is that we can run the same CV's on both sides AND if you break one you don't loose a bunch of gear oil. My motivation is to then flange the lowers, this won't be cheap BUT once the truck is equipped with flanges on all ends i can make you guys indestructible CV joints that will outlast the truck finally. There is a problem on the horizon for Montero's but rest assured that IncorporatedX and I are putting in the work now to keep these trucks serviceable for a long time to come.

 

[evomaki]

Toasty,

Where do I send the check? Put me down for two sets of those. You may zen master 50 other things on these vehicles, but that half shaft swap technique is brute force. I'm no pansy but you are easily balancing 45 pounds of hub assembly rotor and caliper while doing this. That is work in the shop let alone trailside. I guess right now there is no other option really. Likely your half shafts might be pretty bulletproof, but a swap-out where you only undo a snap ring and some bolts, and even leave the tire on (I think it could work that way) would be sweet.

 

[Toasty]

Not sure why they didn't come that way from the factory given the race purposes of these trucks, the Gen 3 has a double flanged rear diff. Unfortunately it won't work on the front because it's 33 slpine.