Having cured my injector problem with the help of this forum I have just one last big project on my dually 2003 E450 box truck which I have converted to an RV.

On the 500 mile drive home from purchasing it last year all ran well except a rumble from the drive train which occurred only when neither accelerating nor decelerating, just at that point of “balance”. There was absolutely no clunking or whining.

I got a local garage to check it out and they said that there was 1.5” of up/down play in the main drive shaft where it enters the axle and that they could install a junker back axle for $2,500.

Well first off I don't have $2,500, second I can't see so much play not anhilating the seal, third I crawled underneath yesterday and all looked OK apart from a very little oil on the bottom of the axle but not enough to have caused one single drip on the conrete after 5 months sitting there. Finally I don't trust a used junker axle when so much work is involved in replacing it.

So my questions please;

After removal, it possible to replace just the bearing(s) and seal(s) on this Dana 70 or 80 (can't tell which yet) without a whole lot of pain wih shimming/gauging all the gears again? Also can I get to the bearing by only removing the crown wheel? And finally do you think it would just be best to deliver it to a shop?

Thanks in advance.

(Some of my English is UK, I apologize)

Pete.

 

Sounds like you need to find a different garage if you are having someone else work on it. There is no way you can have 1.5" of travel at the axle. You may have a carrier bearing going bad and that may make the driveshaft deflect that much, but not at the axle. You should take it to another shop that deals with this type of work. I am sure you will get a different story.

 

Thank you Ken. Once I get floor stands I will check out the carrier bearings for play. As I am in absolutely no hurry I intend doing all of the work myself or at the very least removing/re-installing the axle myself if required.