So Thursday evening I was on my way home, and somehow I broke the bolts that hold the left rear axleshaft to the hub. All 8 sheared off, and I have no idea why. In the process it stripped some of the holes, and cracked the actual hub itself. Is that a part I can buy at a parts store, or am I stuck going to a junkyard? In the process, are there any upgrades to the area I should be looking into?

 

I think its an actual part you can get at the parts house. if Autozone doesnt have it, I know Napa does. It may be a little pricey!

You can also use Hela-coils in the hub if you want to save some $$.

There was a moddification I came across, where the guy removed the bolts all together, and used ARP studs in place of the factory bolts. He even attempted to use grade 8 bolts before he went to studs, and had the same problem. This is also on my list of upgrades! These bolts get warped real easily, and can shear off quite often under certain conditions. I do tons of towing, and have extremely heavy payloads, so thats why I am uprading.

I will try to find the link to that project.. I needed to anyways for myself!

 

My brown truck did that. When i pulled the old hub off the spindle was cracked. So went to a junkyard and bought a complete rearend for 300 bucks. I've found cheaper lately

 

I guess I'll have to look into it. I found a really nice rear axle at the yard here for $400, so unless the parts are a lot cheaper then that I may just replace the whole thing. Of course, that leave some other projects still, but at least it would drive.

 

Midwets Duelly, I was reading your mods. WOW! What a project that mustabeen! So what year 7.3 went back in it? I did not realize they put a gasser in CC and duels. Also how many miles? Nothen like getten to know your vehicle and do something like that.

 

LOL, Thank you! You are dead right on knowing your truck like the back of your hand when done with a project like this! LOL!

The engine, trans, 4-wheel drive, electronics (complete system) were all from a 1997. The neat thing behind that too, the 1997 truck that had these parts was sitting at 139k miles.

I am not sure if you caught my thread on it, but just in case it even has pics! LOL.....
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...p-started.html

Why Ford thought it would be cute to put a 5.8ltr in a CC Dually is beyond me! I dont know what was going through their minds when they even contemplated that! Whats wild is that my truck that I put all of this into, before I did, had 129k miles, yet it ran like it was sitting at 300k. I use mine for some serious work, and the little SB engine just could keep up, so why such a large truck with such a cute motor is beyond my rational! LOL