Front Axle Seal
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
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From: Siesta Key, FL
Front Axle Seal
How painful is it to change the inner seals on a Dana 50? Did some searching and couldn't find the step-by-step that are always out there for the tough jobs on this truck. After 138k miles, she's never made a mess on the driveway...until yesterday. I had the hubs locked in after needing them on a slippery boat ramp on Sunday. Ran for about 40 miles with the hubs on, then 200 with them unlocked and seems I shooke loose the seals. Pretty sure that's what it is...thick clean oil, smells like gear oil.
Picture taken of RF, at bumper, looking towards rear.
Picture taken of RF, at bumper, looking towards rear.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
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From: Siesta Key, FL
Oh that's interesting... Wouldn't surprise me given the reputation the hubs on these trucks have. So how could you check this? Would the front drive-shaft still spin if you have a hub that is stuck locked?
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 3
You need to pull the axles and carrier to change the inner seals. There are special tools for removing and installing the seals that make the job easier. It is best to use OEM parts as this is a job you do not want to do twice.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Yep
Been ther done that.
Gotta pull the wheels, axles, carrier, carrier bearings, Then you can get to the seals.
And while you are at it, you probably will want to change the ball joints since you will have done 90% of the work involved anyway.
You DO NOT have to remove the axle housing from the truck.
If you do it right, you only need one specialty tool. The tool to press in the seals.
Lots of folks do not use the tool, but there is always a risk of not getting them in straight without it. About $100 to 150 if you buy it, and about $20 if you make one.
If you decide to do it yourself, I recommend that you get the book, Differentials, From Randy's Ring and Pinion.
Remember to keep everything clean and free of dirt on the work table and clean everything before it goes back in.
Been ther done that.
Gotta pull the wheels, axles, carrier, carrier bearings, Then you can get to the seals.
And while you are at it, you probably will want to change the ball joints since you will have done 90% of the work involved anyway.
You DO NOT have to remove the axle housing from the truck.
If you do it right, you only need one specialty tool. The tool to press in the seals.
Lots of folks do not use the tool, but there is always a risk of not getting them in straight without it. About $100 to 150 if you buy it, and about $20 if you make one.
If you decide to do it yourself, I recommend that you get the book, Differentials, From Randy's Ring and Pinion.
Remember to keep everything clean and free of dirt on the work table and clean everything before it goes back in.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
If you have just one hub that is locked, the wheel will spin the axle shaft and it could spin the driveshaft.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
The driveshaft won't spin because the spider gears can't overcome the friction and weight of the reverse 4 to 1 +- gearing (ring pushing pinion) and one axle will spin with the locked hub and the other one will be spinning backwards even though the unlocked hub is spinning forward.
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Post Fiend
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From: Mt. Shasta California
I don't think that's possible; not trying to argue.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
How painful is it to change the inner seals on a Dana 50? Did some searching and couldn't find the step-by-step that are always out there for the tough jobs on this truck. After 138k miles, she's never made a mess on the driveway...until yesterday. I had the hubs locked in after needing them on a slippery boat ramp on Sunday. Ran for about 40 miles with the hubs on, then 200 with them unlocked and seems I shooke loose the seals. Pretty sure that's what it is...thick clean oil, smells like gear oil.
P
P
I think I just saved you a ton of work, you can send the check to me at Mt Shasta Ca.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
If he put his front axle underwater enough to get water in it on a boat ramp, the tailgateof the truck would be seriously in the water. Besides, it would blow out of the axle vent first, not the seals.
Also, the other axle cannot spin backwards. It is on the ground! The force will go into turning the driveshaft.
Also, the other axle cannot spin backwards. It is on the ground! The force will go into turning the driveshaft.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
If he put his front axle underwater enough to get water in it on a boat ramp, the tailgateof the truck would be seriously in the water. Besides, it would blow out of the axle vent first, not the seals.
Also, the other axle cannot spin backwards. It is on the ground! The force will go into turning the driveshaft.
Also, the other axle cannot spin backwards. It is on the ground! The force will go into turning the driveshaft.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
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From: Siesta Key, FL
Well, I guess the big question now is, when to get this fixed. I need the truck badly over the next 2 weeks, but with oil leaking out, don't want to hose the front axle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
LOL...I can definitely say neither axle has been in the water. No, at low tide we get a lot of algae on a steep ramp. You're just not getting 5k lbs of boat up that ramp without 4x4.
Well, I guess the big question now is, when to get this fixed. I need the truck badly over the next 2 weeks, but with oil leaking out, don't want to hose the front axle.
Well, I guess the big question now is, when to get this fixed. I need the truck badly over the next 2 weeks, but with oil leaking out, don't want to hose the front axle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Housedad; If you jack up the back of the truck, put it in neutral, and spin one wheel the other one will spin backwards. Let's say you cut the axle on the other side near the wheel and put it all back together, what would happen now?............get it?
It has nothing to do with the wheel being on the ground.
It has nothing to do with the wheel being on the ground.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Siesta Key, FL
Never thought of the vent...but that makes sense. I'll see if I can disconnect both ends and blow it out. Was ironic this happened right after I had the hubs locked in for about 40 miles...after a period of time I couldn't remember the last time I used them. Probably over a year ago... Florida...unless someone is in the ditch, 4x4 doesn't get much exercise!