2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Axle Hub Nut size?

[GFoley]

My left rear axle hub is leaking into the brake drum. I have the seals but cannot determine what size the axle nut is. I know that 2 9/16" is too large. The truck is a 99 2500 4WD w/ a Dana 70. Has anyone else already done this? What size is the nut? Is it a plain hex or a rounded hex?



Thanks in advance.

Glenn

 

[John]

SEE MY UPDATE POST 7-4-03

I just happen to have purchased the socket you are interested in (rear axle nut socket for a Dana 70). It's a Snap-On #S6109A. BTW, it is not a "normal" socket... it has 6 equally spaced drive dogs (about . 220" wide each) around its circumference. If I remember correctly, I paid around $60. for that bad boy.



**** SEE MY UPDATED POST 7-4-03 ****

 

[mikel]

While it is a 'special' nut, I just did this repair on my '95 and I used a 2 9/16" from NAPA. It's a little loose, and not the "right" tool, but it's what I could find on short notice, was less than $30, and did the job.



Good luck,

Mike



edit: Oops, forgot to mention the '95 is a 5 speed and has a dana 80.

 

[mongoose]

I to used the 2 9/16 on my rearend. Mine is the Dana 80. It was a little loose, but worked without any problems. It was about a 45 minute job from start to finish not counting replacing hte rear brake shoes.

 

[IWeiny]

Mongoose,



Did you put in a Dana 80? I did not think the 2500's came with a Dana 80. If so how does one tell if they have the 70 or the 80?

 

[GFoley]

Thanks to you all!



I had the hub apart and a 2 9/16" socket in hand. It seemed too large to make the attempt and possibly round the corners. I swapped it for a 2 1/2" but have not taken it apart again.



IWeiny,

I think the 2500s w/ automatic trannies came with the 70, and the standard transmission trucks came with 80s.

 

[IWeiny]

Figures... Everything about this automatic makes me sick... Next truck is definatly a stick...



Thanks,

 

[Matt42]

Originally posted by IWeiny

Mongoose,



Did you put in a Dana 80? I did not think the 2500's came with a Dana 80. If so how does one tell if they have the 70 or the 80?

If your truck has Dana axles (I don;t recall which year DC changed to American Axles), then:



If it's an automatic, it's a Dana 70.

If it's a manual, it's a Dana 80.



The manual transmission version uses a Dana 80 where the outer axle ends have been necked down to fit the brake stuff for a Dana 70. They sort of look like they were stuck into a pencil sharpener.

 

[John]

2500 auto. equipped Rams have a Dana 70



2500 manual equipped Rams have a hybrid Dana 80 (Dana 80 center section)



3500 (auto. and manual) have a Dana 80

 

[mongoose]

thanks guys for posting the info about the size of the rearends. It has been a couple of days since i have been able to get on the computer.

 

[John]

UPDATED INFORMATION (7-4-03)

The reason I decided to post an updated post instead of just editing my first post was because I wanted to bring this thread back to the top for anyone who may have written the Snap-On part number down for the rear axle nut socket. Although I believed the socket to be the correct one, it was indeed incorrect!



As it was, I thought I had everything to initiate the EGR rear disc brake conversion/upgrade (including the special rear axle socket). However, such was not the case! Late last night I discovered that I had purchased the wrong socket and REALLY needed the correct one or the project would have been "DIW" ("Dead In the Water"). A call to my Snap-On man found that he had the socket I needed and we subsequently setup a meeting time for this morning. And the best part (other than EXCELLENT customer service on a National holiday no less... ), the price was 1/3 the price of the previously purchased socket!



Ok, here is the correct Snap-On part number for the rear axle socket: ANS1928A

The socket is a special 2 9/16" 6-point socket, 3/4" drive (you will need a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter if you don't have 3/4" drive tools) PLUS, it is the special version that has the rounded corners. This allows clearance for the socket to be inserted into the hub without an interference fit (which would be the case with a "normal" 6-point (i. e. , "sharp" corner) socket. BTW, the Snap-On catalog states in a side note the following (for this socket):

"Fits special "rounded" hex nuts on Dana axles of some Ford trucks" (Ford? )



I just wanted to clarify this. I hope I didn't previously steer anyone in the wrong direction.



John