2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rear axle seal replacement

[JRS]

went by the dealer today to purchase new seal/nut/retainer clip/gasket to repair the left rear axle hub. the seal has been replaced once before by dealership. anyway, got home and new seal didn't look like old seal . seemed to be same O. D/I. D. but metal frame of seal was different shape. pulled old seal and grabbed the new seal and went back to dealer. the parts guy swears he sold me the correct part, he looked it up again. we went through the nuances of the truck; '97 2500, manual transmission, Cummins Diesel. he showed me the parts computer screen, which seemed to indicate he was looking it up correctly. His explanation was that maybe it was superseeded. anyway, I got home and installed the seal. it's the same width as the old one, but the metal frame just doesn't look the same. even the rubber lip seems to be the same as the old one. anyone know about this?

 

[mmortell]

Compare the inner and outer seal dimensions with old seal. Slip it on the axle, should be snug to seal properly. This is a problem area with these trucks and seal is likely a new design.

 

[Cooker]

They probably just switched suppliers and the deisgn is a bit different now? Just a thought.

 

[RON'S RAM]

How hard was it to replace the seal? I just noticed that both rear axle seals on my truck are leaking. Also the sealby the yoke is leaking. Is the seal a common problem, or could the bearings be wearing, causing the seal to leak?

 

[Stixx]

Common I think

Every CTD I know but 1 has had an axle seal go bad.

 

[Cooker]

Rear axle seals are easy to replace, after you have the right socket to remove the axle nut. I spent 1/2 a day trying to get the right socket If you have replaced a seal before it can be done in well under an hour. First time you might want to figure a little more than an hour.



This topic has been discussed several times. If you try a search you will likely find a ton of info that will familiarize you with the project.

 

[vssman]

What size socket fits the nut??

 

[TowPro]

Originally posted by vssman

What size socket fits the nut??

sorry I don't have the size, but its a real big one, bigger then most guys have in there toolbox.



After you unbolt the axle from the hub, pull it out and there is a nut inside the hub. I think its over 2". If somebody posts the size I plan on buying one. (although my 98 still had original axle seals when I traded it in at 89K miles. )

 

[John]

I purchased my rear axle nut socket from Snap-On Tools (for my Dana 70). The socket has six equally spaced drive dogs that correspond to matching cutouts in the periphery of the axle nut.



It's similar to the Snap-On socket I purchased for the front axle of my (past tense) mid '80s GMC corporate 10-bolt axle nut... except that socket has four equally spaced drive dogs.

 

[Jetson]

The Dana 80 has a nut with rounded corners. NAPA has the socket.

 

[Cooker]

To the best of my knowledge the Dana 70 and Dana 80 have the same size and shape axle nut.



Jetson is correct. You need a socket with rounded corners and NAPA sells a KD Tools socket that will fit the bill. A Dana 2-9/16 axle nut socket. Cost is about $30. If you need the PN let me know.

 

[vssman]

Thanks!