A few months ago I noticed right around the "4x4 engauger" on the front axel (i dont know what its called, but the thing with the vaccum lines and wahtnot) it was starting to get a wet look to it from leaking oil, and just today I noticed the first little drip spots where my truck is parked...

Ive herd storys that this thing is a pain in the ***, but is it just simple as taking it off and replaceing the gasket or is it going to be somthing compicated?

 

The gasket around the CAD (central axle disconnect) is just a cork gasket. Take the CAD off and change the gasket. For extra peice of mind, put a light film of RTV on both sides of the gasket.

 

a couple of little things to watch for... the bolts that hold the cover on are sort of wimpy and prone to break. so give them a good dose of pb-blaster for a couple of days before. if they do break you'll have to drill them out. a small amount of diff oil will drip out when you remove it, so have a pan ready. another thing is that my gasket was a laminated thing, cork with an aluminum center. i scraped and scraped and it seemed overly hard and i finally figured out i was scraping the cork off the center piece... duh.

when i put my posi-lok on i just used RTV only, no gasket. same as diff cover. no leaks.

 

Alright, thanks...

I was pretty sure about that, but ive herd a few storys that it can give problems.

 

A couple of things that might help.
1. Park the truck with the right wheel up an a ramp, hill, stump, colvert pipe, or what ever is around to keep most of the fluid to the left side of the axle. Less fluid to lose if any.
2. I'm thinking that I replaced my bolts with 1/4 20 X 1/2" to 3/4" stainless bolts, and yes you will possibly break one. Luckily mine broke off at the head so after the cover was off it was easy to remove.
3. In my case the gasket was still on and in one piece, so I just RTV'd the gasket and re-installed the cover.

MOST IMPORTANT Make sure the fork goes back in the groove or no 4WD. You will see it when you have it off.

 

Alright, good idea. I have a pretty good ramp that will put the axel at a good angle so I doubt I will lose any fluid.

Im actually looking forward to seeing how this thing works, I probably wont have time to touch it for another week or so though.

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/4X4/4x4_engagment.htm

[IMG]local://upfiles/29187/9FFED57716BF4D9CAECACF44C426CCB1.jpg[/IMG]

 

Alright, thanks yall!

I fixed it today, and it seems good so far.

I tryed to just get a gasket from autozone so I dident have to make one, but the idiots there told me to my face that I dont know what im talking about and there is no such thing as a "cad" even after I explained what it was and did... I walked out and made my own gasket and I put silicone on each side.