now that i feel good about getting to truck starting and running good, let's move on to the next problem.

i have a front axle fluid leak. but, this is not a stock axle. this turck was a stock 2wd, f450, with 5.13 rear. when the truck was new, the previous fire dept had a local shop make it a 4wd.

hopefully someone can identify it with a crude description. the axle is rigid and at each end is a 6-8 inch "ball" that the wheel hub assy pivots left and right on.

i am getting fluid leaking at the driver's side ball/pivot assy.

i am not familiar with this type of axle and need some advice.

jhanna
dovfd
`90,f450,7.3l,5speed,5.13axles

 

It sounds like you are describing a closed knuckle axle. You can replace the seals but first have to identify the axle type... How many bolts on the diff cover? What's the diameter of the axle tubes? What's the bolt pattern? I thought that all the closed knuckles were in the 70's... The down side with closed knucles, aside from leaking, is that they can't turn quite as tight as a open knuckle. It could be a dana 44, 60 or 70. Can you take a picture of it and post it? Something fabbed could be whatever they had around at the time... If i remember correctly there was a special grease they used on those knucles so they would'nt leak. Sometimes the shims inside have to be changed along with the gasket or seal. Does it have king pins or ball joints? Often times there is a BOM number stamped on the axle tube to help identify it. There could also be a number on the web of the casting on the pumpkin itself.

 

Thanks, I will crawl under it and see what I can find out. And, yes this truck does not have a tight turned radius. I have to ability to take pictures but don't know how to post them !!

jhanna
dovfd
`90,f450,7.3l,5speed,5.13axles

 

Around here that is easy.
Once you have the pictures on your computer click on the User CP link above, then choose Edit Gallery.
Next choose Create Album, the only thing you HAVE to fill in to create a new album is a name and a description.
Once you create it select Edit Album and at the bottom of the page there are a couple of spots to select pictures to upload by browsing your computer and selecting them.

Hope that works for you.

 

Save your pictures in a location easy to find on your computer.
Then go to the third selection in the grey bar at the top of the page, Galleries.
Click Manage/Create in the drop down box.
Upload your pictures to your gallery.

That does sound like an old closed knukle front axle.
You can never see the U joint no matter where you turn the front wheels.

 

ok, i got some info here. there was a plate rivited to the side of the axle.

CARRARO
Made in Italy
Diff Type: Standard
Total Ratio: 5.125/1
Axle Type: HS 6.07
Carraro No: 130981

does this help.

jhanna
dovfd
`90,f450,7.3l,5speed,5.13axles

 

Business Description:
Carraro Spa. The Group's principal activities are designing, manufacturing and marketing of automotive systems for tractors, construction equipment and materials handling equipment, light commercial vehicles and cars. The production includes axles, transmissions including 'Power Shuttle', drivelines, reduction units, differentials, clutches, spare parts and other components for agricultural machinery, construction equipments, industrial forklifts and vehicles. The Group operates in Italy, European Union countries, North America, Asia and other countries. In 2005 the Group constituted Turbo Gears India Ltd in India, Carraro Qingdao Drive Systems Co Ltd and Carraro Qingdao Trading Co Ltd in China.

Sounds like they make a lot of stuff of that type, I have never heard of them.
I did a Google search to find that info above, but I found no reference to parts or distributers.

I did find an article that lead me to believe that Ditch Witch may use Carraro axles in their larger machines along with Dana 60 axles.

 

I also did a google search. I found Carraro axles as they are used in varies types of equipment, but I found no automotive/truck applications. I also did not find any reference to the Carraro # that was on the i/d plate.

My guess is that they have dropped this part of the business and since this axle is 16 years old, it is not in any online data bases.

If the leak does not get any worse, it is just more of a nuisance. With the truck sitting in the bay for a week or so at a time, we may have a teaspoonfull of gear oil on the floor. I can deal with that, just don't won't the seal to get any worse.

 

Do you have a Ditch Witch dealer close to you?

If you do I would stop in and ask if they have any info on Carraro axles.

The machine I saw the Carraro axle reference on was a 5700 H model ride on machine.

 

Hmm.... sounds like the hardest part of this will be finding parts...

If its anything like an old Toy or Rover axle then its an easy fix....

 

While the leak is still slow.... it's probably time to start looking for an old dana 60 front end to have ready to replace. Try a 1986 - 91 and up F350, up to 96 with some slight modification.

I just noticed youy have a F450... not sure on the interchange, those axles might not be a easy to find. There is a good chance the D60 will still work. Which axle is in the rear?