Is this safe?
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From: Stephenville / Harlingen Texas
Ok. I got a list of part numbers for the seals. I also got an exploded view of the whole assembly from the dodge house. I didnt order them there though...the guy there said not to buy the seals from them cause they'd be to expensive and I should try o'rieleys or something. (Honesty in a sales man? hmmm)
My question is, i have to part number lists and one is for a 3500lb axle and the other for the 4500lb axle. My truck is a 1-ton so Im assuming its the 4500lb axle by I just wanna double check before I spend the money and/or make a mistake.
My question is, i have to part number lists and one is for a 3500lb axle and the other for the 4500lb axle. My truck is a 1-ton so Im assuming its the 4500lb axle by I just wanna double check before I spend the money and/or make a mistake.
DTR's "Cooler than ice cubes 14 miles North of North Pole" member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: 14mi North of North Pole
I am going to go out in left field and say that the grease didn't come from the wheel-bearings.
I think it is from the steering knuckle joint, be it king-pin or ball-joint.
It is kinda hard to tell from the picture.
There is a rubber V-lipped axle seal, inside the spindle; but, I doubt any grease from it could get to where that grease is.
If that seal, the needle bearings, and half the axle-shaft are gone, it shouldn't have any effect on the normal operation of the truck, so long as the hub is not engaged.
Besides, unless the hub is packed completely full and pressurized, I just can't envision grease "blowing" out, even if the hub-seal were missing.
The seal is there to keep water and trash out, more than to keep grease in.
Of course, I may be wrong.
To be on the safe side, jack that wheel up and feel for bearing looseness, also roll the wheel, listening for strange noises and feeling for roughness.
If that grease has migrated out around the axle-shaft, it has to have been pretty hot, especially in that quantity.
Also, invest in a pressure-washer.
I think it is from the steering knuckle joint, be it king-pin or ball-joint.
It is kinda hard to tell from the picture.
There is a rubber V-lipped axle seal, inside the spindle; but, I doubt any grease from it could get to where that grease is.
If that seal, the needle bearings, and half the axle-shaft are gone, it shouldn't have any effect on the normal operation of the truck, so long as the hub is not engaged.
Besides, unless the hub is packed completely full and pressurized, I just can't envision grease "blowing" out, even if the hub-seal were missing.
The seal is there to keep water and trash out, more than to keep grease in.
Of course, I may be wrong.
To be on the safe side, jack that wheel up and feel for bearing looseness, also roll the wheel, listening for strange noises and feeling for roughness.
If that grease has migrated out around the axle-shaft, it has to have been pretty hot, especially in that quantity.
Also, invest in a pressure-washer.
I must be getting old and slow, or maybe I am just slow, meticulous, and careful; because, I just got done going through the left-front wheel-bearings on the son's truck.
I started on Saturday morning and finished on Sunday evening; and, I only serviced the wheel-bearings; I did not attempt to remove the spindle to get at the axle/bearings, which probably would have added another half-day to the schedule, unless the needle-bearing was bad, then I would have needed another day.
I was more than twenty minutes getting a jack-stand situated, the wheel off,
and laying out the tools.
I started on Saturday morning and finished on Sunday evening; and, I only serviced the wheel-bearings; I did not attempt to remove the spindle to get at the axle/bearings, which probably would have added another half-day to the schedule, unless the needle-bearing was bad, then I would have needed another day.
I was more than twenty minutes getting a jack-stand situated, the wheel off,
and laying out the tools.

I agree on both parts. Last time I did wheel bearings It took me at least an hour to do it right.
3500lb axle = dana 44
4500lb axle = dana 60-all cummins trucks
on a side note, this guy I know swapped a d44 under his ctd w250. he can't keep ball joints in it. he pulled at a local pull last month and it broke in lots of pieces.
4500lb axle = dana 60-all cummins trucks
on a side note, this guy I know swapped a d44 under his ctd w250. he can't keep ball joints in it. he pulled at a local pull last month and it broke in lots of pieces.
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