I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 RWD V10 and it looks like I have a Dana 70 4:10 gear rear end that is a floating axle. The large nut takes a 2 1/2" socket that tightens the two tapered bearings out on the end of the rear end I get conflicting torques for how much to tighten it anywhere from 130 ft lbs to well over 200 ft lbs. After torquing down the nut some back it off 1/4 to 1/3 turn or none. After talking to the local Dodge service I was told to torque the nut to 175 ft lbs and don't back the nut off.


Please, someone who has worked on this particular rear end set me straight as to the adjustment of this nut.

 

That information should be in the service manual. You can download the one for your year's truck via this link - https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html

 

If it's the single nut setup you absolutely want to back it off. Even with dual nuts only the outer lock nut gets torqued and that's to keep the inner from backing out.

If you have a dial indicator I'd trust end play more than random statements like "1/2 a turn" or whatever. Assuming the FSM provides end play specs....

 

Is this for the pinion bearings, or the hub bearings??

 

He states 2.5" socket. That'd be one huge pinion/yoke!

 

I have pulled the axle out and the nut inside, see picture. At the local Dodge Dealership, the service manager said there shouldn't be any end play after the nut is torqued down. I think this single nut should be tightened like the bearing nut on the front of a vehicle that is RWD, just snug as long as the bearing aren't in a bind. The nut is self locking but it does have a key that slides in a slot in the threaded housing then into the nylon material of the self locking nut to keep it from backing out. The video below is the same rear axle I have. I think I have a bent axle too. I'm in the process of new brake drums and shoes, after installing it all I found out the China drums were out of round so I took them back for a refund and searched for US or Canadian made drums. I found this one in Canada.


Cyberbrake Auto Parts INC.
54 Beasley Dr, Kitchener, ON N2E 1Y6,Ontario

But to order I had to get in contact with the supplier to find those drums on Amazon
Newtek Automotive USA
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
1 816 483 1212

After getting the Drums I took them up to the local NAPA store to have them checked, they were out of round also so I had them turned. After installing I still had a shake by using the emergency brake. Then I started checking the axles by using my 4' sands level for a straight edge. It appears the passenger side axle is bent because when using a dial indicator to check for wobble I was getting .007 difference and I have about .017 or greater end play with the axle removed. With the axle removed the wobble is .002 which is within spec. After removing both axles I was surprised that both axles are the same length. I tried to post a picture but it didn't work out, way too large which is why I posted the YouTube video.

Many thanks to those who have replied to my thread.

 

I found it in the manual page 3-88
(8) Tighten the adjustment nut to 163-190 N-m
(120-140 ft. lbs.) while rotating the wheel.
(9) Loosen the adjustment nut 1/8 of-a-turn (120
degrees) to provide 0.001-inch to 0.010-inch wheel
bearing end play.

 

Thank you AtomicDog, I was looking for that manual but didn't know you had them here. It was hard to find what I needed but I found it.
(8) Tighten the adjustment nut to 163-190 N-m
(120-140 ft. lbs.) while rotating the wheel.
(9) Loosen the adjustment nut 1/8 of-a-turn (120
degrees) to provide 0.001-inch to 0.010-inch wheel
bearing end play.

 

Those factory service and parts manuals that the forum has graciously made available for us here have proved to be lifesavers on more than one occasion to keep these vintage Dodge 2nd gen trucks on the road.