Can the TTB be put back together without the 3rd member?

[Byrd91]

Hard wheeling today resulted in the finishing off of a wheel bearing and also a gray fluid leaking from the front differential (2nd time with leaking this year, frist was back in the fall, stopped after a fluid change). The leak could be caused by water in the diff, but I extended the breather line (I better check to make sure its still on there though). Anyway, I'm thinking of changing gears soon, and was going to take the third member out myself to save on labor. It appears the suspension can be run without the axle shafts or diff, is this correct?

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

Yes

Be sure to secure your axle shafts out of the way. Mine handled better when I was regearing the third member.

 

[Byrd91]

I was thinking that the axleshafts would come out with the thirdmember, because you have to pull them anyway right? Or can you pull the third member without tearing down the bearings/rotors/spindles etc.?

 

[NOTAJP]

You would have to pull the axle shafts. I find it the easiest to seal the third member to the I beam with everything out of the truck and not having to wrestle the pig under the front end and still trying to keep the silicone on the face evenly.