NEW CATEGORY!

[Astrofarian]

This is the place for all the AWD, 4WD and transfer Case discussion! Great that it finally has its own heading! And I get to post FIRSTEST! Nyeah LoL!
-Mike-

[RECox286]

What is the prize ?

UB

[jrsride2002]

Wait... Do you have an AWD Astro??? I would think so, living in Canada.... Did you cheat us of a first topic???

~Junior

[Mmusicman]

I'm in!

[Astro Pop]

Okay let me be the first with a technical question. I've searched but haven't found a post here about rebuilding a front carrier assembly. I have a '96 AWD and have been driving it without the front drive shaft. It's way too noisy with it in. constant howling. Given the age and mileage of our vans I don't really want to get a used one from a JY. Are these hard rebuild ? And where is the best place to get parts, if it's feasible to diy ?

Astro Pop

[Astrofarian]

Wait... Do you have an AWD Astro??? I would think so, living in Canada.... Did you cheat us of a first topic???

~Junior

Actually,.....no LoL. I've owned 8 A/S vans myself (Although 5 of those were/are parts or project vehicles so only the '89 , the '98, and my present '91 were driven for any amount of time) but have never run an AWD A/S van myself. My ex-wife had a 2001 Safari AWD SLE for the last 3 years we were together that had a lot of the usual A/S van issues and I was the primary caregiver for that vehicle during that time. But other than having to loosen the front diff and left motor mount to access a stubborn POS PITA power steering hose I can't say with any honesty that I had any experience during that time with any "actual" AWD issues. So if that "outs" me as a fraud then so be it.
My own experience driving in winter conditions here in Canada has taught me one thing; if you need AWD or 4WD to go down a road, you need to ask yourself if whatever "prize" or pot of gold may be at the end of it is worth dying of exposure for.
I've certainly been stuck in snow before and likely will be again. AWD may have been a help in preventing or minimizing some of those scenarios. But good, dedicated winter tires are the first line of defense in winter driving conditions.
I'm always stalking the web for deals so it's not unlikely that I WILL own a "driver" AWD one day; just hasn't happened yet.
-Mike-

[Captn.Crunch]

Re: NEW CATEGORY!
Today, 12:43am
Okay let me be the first with a technical question. I've searched but haven't found a post here about rebuilding a front carrier assembly. I have a '96 AWD and have been driving it without the front drive shaft. It's way too noisy with it in. constant howling. Given the age and mileage of our vans I don't really want to get a used one from a JY. Are these hard rebuild ? And where is the best place to get parts, if it's feasible to diy ?

Astro pop

Yes you can rebuild these front diffs. It's not easy and it's not cheap. Go to zr2usa.com and read up on 7.2 rebuild. There are alot of vehicles running the same front diffs. S-10's bravada' and they all use the same diff. Early versions used flanged axles and late has slip in style. Check your rpo code for gear ratio and shop accordingly. Any four wheel will have a two piece rt side axle. Swap over your one piece and good to go.