front drivers axleshaft wiggles...how to get to it?
 

that stubby lil shaft coming out the axle wiggles and its causing vibration as i drive...u joint is solid...i guess there is a seal there that has gone bad or better yet missing...easiest way to get to it?? i dont need access to the ujoint or access to the wheel bearing or anything just that lil yoke stub coming out the axle....anyone please? (will be done this weekend..wanna know what to have ready)

Instruction to replace the seal http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fro...xle%20Tech.htm

Bill!! glad ur here...i lifted the truck spun the tire and there's no problem but i can wiggle it...the wheel is on tight....the entire hub wiggles and it wiggles right where that stub comes out of the axle? or is there a bearing inside the axle that u mean?

thanx alot for the link

Andrew

Not sure I'm following you on where the play is but it almost sounds like the big nut that goes on the end of the axle is loose.
If I recall it takes 175 ft/lbs.
Or the four bolts that hold the bearing on are loose
Or the wheel studs that hold the bearing to the rotor are loose.

actually Bill it wiggles close to the differential if that helps...a foot away from the diff that first piece comes out the axle shaft...then theres that piece that connects to the hub...wlel its NOt that piece it wiggles right where it comes out the axleshaft...but there is NO leak coming out or any sign of it over the winter.......the piece that comes out the hub to the u joint is tight so is the hub...its closer to the diff like something's missing inside the tube or something

My truck shakes around 65-70 and I was wondering the same thing, thanks Infidel.

to get at the wheel bearing i need to remove that giant nut right? its like 1 1/16 but to get the brake rotor off i dont need to move it right?

(young guy first time for everything go easy on me)

If you hold the tire at the 12 oclock and 6 oclock position, and if it wiggles when you shake it in and out, the wheel bearing is either loose or the hub nut is loose. If I remember right, it was 1 11/16. But since you can shake the stub shaft, I'd bet that the bearing is shot.

i have to get that big nut off to get at the bearing no matter what right?? cause i dont have a nut that big...thats a 25$ piece!....1 1/4 is the biggest i got darn it

only if you are going to change the bearing,you can take it of with axle in it, but would make it heavy and hard to handle if changing u- joint, the four bolts on the back side of rotor/bearing hub hold the it on the truck, the bolts take a 12 pt. 9/16 socket.then there is a shoulder on the bearing that gets rusted on and can be hard to get off, the big nut preloads the wheel bearing and holds axle shaft in the hub, a 1-3/4 socket will work to get the nut off if it is easier to find one,just have somebody hold the brakes on and use a cheater bar and loosen nut if truck is in the air on stands

thanks buddy appreciate it.....i got access to an air gun through a friend this weekend..1/2 inch drive air gun havent seen the gun yet but i have to buy the 1 3/4 socket..is it the same sockets for the air guns as the torque bars??...might be a dumb question but dont wanna hit myself in the head for buying a piece for a 1/2 ratchet that doesnt fit air guns

There's nothing inside the axle tube that supports that shaft. The splined end of it goes right into the differential and fits into the side gear inside the differential. The outside end of the shaft, as was mentioned, is supported by the wheel hub/ bearing, and the u-joint is the other place where looseness can occur. If the wheel feels loose when off the ground, it may be the bearing or ball joints. Sorry I can't narrow it down anymore.

well its the wheel bearings...agh...and i was hoping to get the bearing by themselves...stopped by napa, dodge and another local place and they all sell the hub assembly for 350$ or more...any solutions?....id rather regrease the bearing if i can get at it rather than pay that kinda money...where can i at least get the hub assembly for cheap?

Canadian tire has them the cheapest I have found. $289

thanx buddy thats the best price ive heard so far...whats the labour on that 2-3 hour labour code?