hey all.. 2000 1500 sport, 5.9 4x4.

I got real caught up in other spots of the truck, tranny, waterpump, u-joints, ect ect... that the front end has really gotten out of control...

My wheel bearings are shot, front joints are gone, and I am trying to figure out what else..,

I Do have a manual, but cant make any sence of this thing, I am by NO MEANS an axle person.. So i am learning on the fly here...

In these pictures, Is there supposed to be a bearing or something behind the u-joint on the front axle?? if there is supposed to be, then mine is toast...

Does that part hold oil? big deal?? I just need to find out what goes there so I can replace it.

Thanks all.

 

Looks like the axle seal is leaking.... which is a drag, as on the drivers side, you need to remove the carrier to change it. Yeah, **** poor design idea there.......

I don't think there is a bearing there, what you are looking at is just the 'slinger', it is supposed to keep the rude stuff out of the axle tube, but, doesn't do a very good job, what it DOES do, is a good job of trapping whatever manages to get in there, IN there......

Most of the tube does not hold any oil. At least, not by design.......

Your best bet, since you are looking at digging pretty deep in there anyway..... pick up new hub/bearing assemblies, u-joints, axle seals, and ball joints. (and whatever steering parts you feel need replacement.) set aside a couple days for the job, and do it all up.

 

Thanks for the reply..

So far my list contains.. Rotors, pads, u-joints, ball joints, wheel bearing/hub assemblys (luckily mine has four wheel ABS So I have to get the expensive ones!!!)..

Not thrilled, seeing as I have dumped so much money in this thing, But I cant blame it, it does alot of work for me, and I depend on this truck to make my money and provide for the family, So I guess its time to pay it back.

I have recently done-- transmission, tourqe converter, rear u-joints, waterpump, TPS, other then that just regular items.

Now, When I said I wasn't an axle person-- i meant it.. I have never dug into one, aside from taking the pumpkin cover off for inspecting and re-filling.

Like I said, I do have a manual, so once I know what I am after, I can follow it through...

Looking at the axle seal replacement.. It doesnt leave me thrilled to say the least.

I've done all the work thus far myself on the truck, and believe that as long as I have a tool that fits the job, there is no reason to pay someone.

Basically at this point im just gonna drive the damn thing and get all the parts in, once I have everything to get it tip-top it'll get done, but I just cant afford down time at this point.

Is there anything I could do to avoid major damage during this time untill it gets tore down? All I can figure is to make sure there is fluid in the front end, maybe something thick?

 

Just make sure it is filled with the right lubricant.... it doesn't take much fluid to make a BIG mess...... so, it probably isn't leaking out real fast.... just keep an eye on it.

 

Man I wasnt expecting this, I actually have to take out the gears of the diff for the seals?

the insides of those things are intimidating as heck to me. hate the idea of that.

 

Its fun, that's for sure.... but, in all reality, not that bad of a job. (be prepared to smell HORRIBLE though..... )

Here's a DIY for ya too.

 

Well.. im gonna listen to them wheel bearings whine and the u-joints clank for just a bit more, till I have a slew of crap to put in this thing..

Shopping off egay im about 400 bucks in for new rotors/pads, universals, ball joints, wheel bearings, seals.
Thats not bad considering what I just put into the transmission alone.

Then of course im gonna have to pay a shop to do some of the work, pressing ball joints and whatnot.

 

You'll be fine. If you've done all that other work you've listed, you should be able to handle this. Yes you have to take gears out to change the driver side seal, but really it's not that bad since there are no shims to lose. There's a good DIY page out there with pics if you search for it.

 

haha, thanks for the confidence.. I tell ya what.. when an 18 wheeler was backing into my driveway with a new tranny strapped to a pallet for me.. thats when i started sweating bullets... thinking I was in way over my head..

and after many bloody knuckles, ruined t-shirts now turned ATF rags, learning the hard-way that the frame rails actually need to be spread to get the crossmember back in.... I guess it wasnt all that bad

Its just getting started thats intimidating I guess.. All the stuff I see and read about shimming, and spacing, etc etc.. stuff I have no idea about.

But if it all just "fits" then it shouldnt be that bad I suppose.

 

Exactly, the D44 uses the case to give a slight preload on the bearings, but should pop out with a little convincing. Try to keep it even so it doesn't jam. (Also remember to slide the inner axle out of the way) Putting it back in just took lining it up and tapping it with a rubber mallet. Put your bolts and races back where they came from and torque to spec. If you put it all back nicely you shouldn't screw up your backlash.