gotto do the left front axle seals in my grandpas 97 2500 cummins 4x4. its got the dana 60 front, what size is the nut to take the axle out? no special sockets right? just a bfn? truck is 200 miles away so i cant look at it, wanna make sure i grab everything i need.
im a master tech, i work on german cars so i have plenty of big tools to play with .
ide like to get up there and not have to buy something i already have here. tia.

 

IIRC it is an inch and fifteen sixteenths.

 

found it online elsewhere its 1 11/16"

http://dieselpowerman.tripod.com/Fro...xle%20Tech.htm
theres a few decent write ups on this, including the pavementsucks ones.

 

Sorry I guess I didn't remember right.

 

1 11/16 is correct. You can find one for $22 at sears. Don't go cheap. That m'fer was torqued to 178 ft/lbs (makes you wonder why in the hell they did that to a castle nut that doesn't hold anything). I have a broken 1/2 breaker bar sitting in my garage thanks to that nut.

Also prepare for a battle getting the hub off. You will need a 14mm socket to get the bolts off. That is no big deal, but the hub will be seized to the knuckle and thanks to a rotor that sits inside the hub, you don't have easy access. Since you are a tech working on german cars, I would suggest that you get your hands on 4 14x1.5 lug bolts that are at about 2 in long. That way you can thread those in the holes of the hub bolts and beat on them to break the hub loose. Otherwsie rip the hub off and split the bearings then you will need a new hub. $125 online, but your local parts house will probably need double that if you want it in a hurry.

 

there is a trick I use to get hubs out. take a peice of 1" steel cold rolled bar or similar and cut to about 2" long (i cut 2" off an old axle i had lying around) this is your new hub tool.

Once the hub is unbolted and ready to come out, start the truck up and get a friend to sit behind the wheel (the truck needs to be running to get power steering assist).

turn the wheel one way and stick your new hub tool between the hub yoke and the axle housing (if this doesnt make sence now, it will when you see it). turn the wheel the opposite way to trap the tool between the yoke and housing, apply LOTS of pressure on the steering wheel in the same direction (think that you're trying to squish the tool) (you may need to persuade the hub to break loose with a hammer on the knuckle). the hub will move about 1/4" at a time. Repeat the procedure front and back until the hub is loose. The hub and axle will come out as one peice.

This really is the easiest way to get the hubs out, i was lucky enough that mine came out without hitting them, but i have seen this work on really siezed units.

 

or i can find one for free in my toolbox. dont worry, ive been doing this for quite some time, i need no lessons in cheap tools.

thanks ill probably go this route, was planning on something like this, glad to hear its the easy way. the left side was out less than a year ago, should be fine, the right side will probably want to stay where it is. im really not too worried about it tho, been there done that, i do this all day. different brands same s$%t. i really appriciate the feedback guys.

 

A german car mechanic with SAE tools?

 

i have an 1 11/16 and a 43mm. im a german tech and specialize in german cars, doesnt mean ive only ever worked on german cars.

 

mopar was my first love. becides worked on diesels and big boat motors, jimmys and such. and im addicted to tools.