2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission bad rear axle problem

[Hookemupman]

Today while pulling my gooseneck trailer with grade tractor,went to go from stop sign and heard a load pop the truck would not move,come to find out it busted all eight bolt securing the axle to the rear hub is this something common or am i just lucky?I removed hub and took to machine shop for them to extract the busted bolts,dealer wants $22. 00 each for the bolts so i decided to take one out from the other side to see if i could find bolts somewhere else and broke one off with a 1/2 in hand rachet whats the deal i really did not expect this to be the weak link in the drive train. Thanks Jason

 

[DiTrani]

Sounds like maybe they were over-torqued at the factory, or they are from a bad batch (metallurgically speaking). I had some wheel lugs fail similarly after being way over-tightened.

 

[Deezul1]

It sounds like the side that broke all 8 might have had them work loose a little first but as hard as they are to get out without breaking them who knows. I broke 3 using a impact wrench to remove them and did the rest with a ratchet and turned them very slowly so the factory locktite had a chance to let loose before breaking the bolt. Thats some awsome locktite they use. Has the axle been removed before? if so the bolts may have worked loose from lack of thread locker or lock washers.

 

[Hookemupman]

Deezel1,no i does not appear that they loosened there broke off right at the first thread at the hub. The axle looks like what i would have to say is the factory lock tight. Also when putting this back together should i use a new nylon nut on the spindle for the wheel bearings and does anyone have the procedure in setting the wheel bearing preload?Thanks Jason

 

[bighammer]

I would guess if they worked loose, your gear oil would make a mess of things and draw your attention.

 

[Hookemupman]

I just got it back togethor it did not leak a drop of oil and it did not look like the bolts loosened. I just did a brake job and would haved noticed if they were not tight. By the way the bolts were only 3. 20 ea not 22. 00ea the local dealer are complete morons called another dealer closest and said they had 8 in stock i have no idea what they were trying to sell me at the first place. Thanks Jason

 

[Deezul1]

At the price they get for the lock nut and lock clip I re used mine. I talked to ther mechanic at "Just Brakes" and they said they reuse them all the time and havnt had a problem. The old style double nut setup will work on these trucks too if you get the nuts and lock ring.