The front differential on my 2003 Durango has a bad bearing on the driver's side. The CV axle just wobbles around in there. I'm going to replace the differential and both CV axles.

My question is this: will it hurt anything if I drive it without the front diffy and axles and with the front drive shaft remove? I have been trying to think of any negatives and can't think of any.

Or what will it hurt if I drive it like it is until the new diffy get here?

Opinions.

Thanks, Danny

 

The front diff serves as a crossmember so taking it out will compromise the structural integrity to drive it without. However if you remove the CV's and drive shaft you should be good (in theory) unless you have awd. If you have and awd all the time version the transfer case will not allow it to move with out the front wheels trying to pull it along also.

 

you shouldnt drive w/o the cv shafts in because the retaining nut at the tire ends preloads the wheel bearsings, without that nut loading them up the bearings will wear out very quickly

 

Very true, I forgot about that. Basically you need to just replace it or have a shop rebuild it.

 

Sure it's not just an axle bushing that needs replaced where the half shaft inserts in?

 

On the driver's side of the front diffy, the shaft wobble around a lot. I have not been able to find a picture that shows what the insides of the diffy looks like. I thought there was a bearing in there that needs replacing.

 

Right where the CV plugs into the differential there should be a bushing (at least on the 194 FIA), and it isn't usually the tightest fitting animal. There is a seal on the inside that keeps fluid in. If you are not loosing fluid I assume possibly the bushing is worn. You can get another from the bone yard or maybe the dealer. You have a C205F axle unit.

You remove the CV and it usually comes out with it, replace and reinstall. The bearings are on the inside.

Here is a Youtube video and if you start at 4:23 it will give you a look. I DO NOT endorse this guy or his mechanizing skills or how he proceeds! On the inside is a stub shaft that fits into the end of the half shaft (CV) that he's talking about.
My write ups are in the DIY for this, at least for the 194 FIA front axle.

 

 

Ha, yea that's only a 5 hour drive.

I know it's here but I did find this: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...xle-seals.html

Basically,

1. E-brake on
2.Remove center cap on front wheel rim.
3. Remove carter pin and break loose large castle nut but do not remove. These are PITA so, use truck and drive, use jack on wrench, impact, or use big pipe are some options.
4. Loosen wheel nuts.
5.Jack up and support the drivers front side with jack stands.
6. Remove tire.
7. Turn out large castle nut to flush to end of bot threads to protect them and smack it with a hammer to push the threaded into the bearing slightly. This breaks it loose.
8. Spread brakes pads slightly and remove calipers, hang and secure out of your way.
9. Remove the 3 bolts from behind the front wheel bearing and remove.( I've used a large extension on the bolt head and the other end of the extension to a secure location like the frame and use the steering wheel hydraulics to press the bearing off. Takes two people. You only turn out the three bolts about 2-3 turns each and go in series until it is pressed off, remember only press on the bolt heads.)
10. Remove carter pin on tie rod and remove nut. Lightly smack tie rod to remove from knuckle.
11. Rotate the knuckle all the way to the drivers side. You should be able to gently turn the CV until it pops out.

Once you have it out on the other end of the CV should be a bushing, at least on the 194 FIA there is. As for a new one, IDK, junk yard or possible dealer part.

Here is a decent way, still not my favorite.