The original hubs had torx heads on the bolts. I think that it was subject to some "what can we make work" type mechanics. Good in a pinch, but a steady diet of it leads to a frankentruck...Mark

 

Thanks for a really good laugh... Frankentruck!!!

I appreciate your advice!

Joseph

 

All of the truck makes used Dana axles at some time or another, but with small differences such as hubs, spindles etc. I think the special nuts with the 4 notches was specific to Dodge; while the setup on there now (2 hex nuts with a tabbed plate in between) was specific to Ford, I believe. Both setups do exactly the same job, but are cosmetically different. Whoever was in there probably broke that tiny pin on the inner nut, and decided to replace it with whatever he had on hand, or whatever he was familiar with. So, it'll work just fine but, like you, I'd sooner have all the authentic stuff on it if it was mine.

I have no idea what size socket you'd need for that but maybe you can tap the locknut loose with an old screwdriver then take it in to the jobber store and match it up to a socket.

 

Torquefan- Thanks for your reference, that does help. Now I will just have to get a 2 9/16 socket and see if that fits, and if it doesn't I'll go from there. Thank you to all who have posted on this thread!

 

be sure to get a thin wall socket or it wont go in the hub far enough!

 

OK


The double nut is actually common on early axles. I have that setup on my 1989 axles. I was prepared to see the slotted round type but instead saw the large double hex nut with bent star lock washer like the one pictured here:



http://quad4x4.com/common%20front%20axle%20parts.htm

The fact that you have encountered this in your axle has nothing to do with lazy mechanics etc.

There is a socket you can get at autozone for cheap that will allow you to remove / install the nut properly. It is a 2.5" OD Hex.

The other option is to chisel the nuts off, which is the common method anyone can use. The outer lock nut is the tight one, the inner will spin off easily.

I didn't buy the 2.5 hex socket - I had a couple rounded edge 2 9/16 sockets for the rear spindle nuts so when replacing the nuts I simply took a flap wheel and rounded the edges on the hex nuts a small amount until it fit and was able to torque everything up properly upon re-installation.

There you have it.

With experience you'll find that these trucks are VERY easy to work on/in/with.

 

everyone seems to have trouble finding the special socket for the 4 prong nuts. The one I use is from OTC but the dodge application isn't listed on it. Just look for one that fits a Ford F350 4x4 since they also had a dana 60 front.

 

I linked to one earlier in this thread...Mark

 

Thanks for your post PapeCat. That explains things and the link clears it up. Very aggravating. I talked to my auto parts guy and he told me since it was the LEFT side that's loose it's a sign that these nuts loosened up as they will because of the wheel rotation.

Thanks again!

 

haha is that left from the drivers seat or in from of the truck haha

 

Go to www.stage8.com. These things are AWESOME! I used them on the rear of my Dually. Spendy, but absolutely bulletproof.

 

Joe,

I don't know where you are, as it doesn't say in your avatar, but I'm doing my front brakes right now.

I went to advance auto parts, near me and they had this kit to do all of the major axles. Since I only had my Toyota and Ford axles sockets, I figured I'd add to my collection..


About $80 and worth every penny AFAIC.

 

I finally got it apart and went to order parts. Local parts man had everything but the double nut and washer thing. Decided that I would rather upgrade everything, so I went ahead and bought the Stage 8 Kit for it instead of messing around with the inferior OEM kit. It's the driver's side of the truck, so will loosen up again eventually- easier to just buy the Stage 8 and have the assurance it won't happen again!

Thanks to all for the help!

 

And all in a snappy blow molded case! SWEET!
I love tools! Arh Arh!

 

I can remember paying $80 for just one tool, back in the mid 80's, and now you get this kit for that much.

Since I'm not a full time mechanic, and these tools will only get occasionally used, there's no need to buy Snap ON tools @ 5x the amount I paid for them.

Now if I worked in a 4x4 shop, I'd be mortgaged to the hilt with the Snap on guy, since I can't seem to stop wanting to buy more tools as well....