i read a thread on RCC about using a cap and epoxy to plug the open end of the driveshaft so the grease does not escape the slipjoint. has anyone here done this?

 

am i the only poor bastard with a truck that clunks?

 

Clunks when?

If you have a reverse to drive clunk, and you can't find any worn u-joints, it is a worn out cross pin in the diff. Very common, not too hard to fix. If you have a power-lock axle, it's worn out clutches which may have messed up the spider and side gears too.

 

she clunks basically every time shes put in reverse. sometimes not as bad as others. no clunk when going to drive.

on the ramchargercentral.com website their is a "Weak Links Strong Fixes" article about the dodge reverse clunk that states that the clunk is most often caused by the slip joint not getting enough grease. i could install a zerk if one isnt already there, and just grease it constantly. one person made a post claiming that a mopar service note states that the hole in the end of the driveshaft should be sealed with epoxy. anywho, here is a link

http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/...?topic=59726.0

im just wondering if anyone has done this before. i cant seem to get any feedback on it anywhere. because this truck is my DD and my livelyhood depends on it i am somewhat reluctant to do modifications that could possible be detrimental.


is this "power lock" axle you speak of just a limited slip unit? if so i do think i have one. when i get on her hard i can feel the LS working, so i think it is in decent shape. diff fluid was full and in good condition. which brings me to anther question: how many qts does a D-70 hold?

thanks for your input.

Karsten.

 

To find out if you have a powerlock(limited slip). Just jack both rear tires up and spin one. If the other spins the opposite way its an open differential. If they spin together its an LSD.

 

The problem with pluggin the hole, is that as the slip joint compresses and expands, the air and grease inside has no where to go. This can cause the seal at the bottom to start blowing grease by, and then as your d-shaft spins, coat the underside of your truck nicely in grease. Worst case; if your driveshaft compresses quickly, it "locks" and you put a whole lot of pressure on the outsput shaft of the t-case. Just my .02

 

leave i pin hole in the epoxy and then the air can escape.

 

Have you gone under the truck to try to find the slop? If the slip joint is worn, you will be able to feel it with your hands. If there is noticeable backlash in the slip joint or any u-joint, fix that first. If the slop is in the diff, you will be able to rotate the driveshaft back and forth as much as 1/4 turn with no reaction from the axle.

The Dana 70 should only be filled to within 3/8" to 1/2" of the bottom of the fill hole. Excess often winds up in your brakes. I think the FSM calls for 7 pints.