1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

[BinLurkin]

I have one with the dual rear wheels, it's actually a tioga motorhome on a Dodge Van chassis M-300. One of the 8 bolt hole gaskets back there is leaking oil so I got a new one thinking it would just come off & I could slip in a new one under the hub. Is that how it works? I haven't been able to get the hub loose yet. I think there's more involved than I think. Thanks, in advance. The local people say to hit it with a big hammer but I'm not into that this early in the job. Not without more input anyway.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Take all of the bolts out, RAP IT WITH A HAMMER AROUND THE EDGES, and the whole axle will slide out. Be prepared for the gear lube to come out also, it helps to park it kinda sideways on a hill, just be careful. It is not necc most of the time to jack it up, the hub is a free floater. You may however have to jack it to take some of the weight off, I only have had to do that once in about 10 of these jobs.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Make sure there is no pressure on the drive line also.<br />When you get ready to do this, block the wheels and put in neutral first and take off all the pressure, then set emergency brake, then back to park.<br /><br />That way there will be no pressure(rear end trying to hold unit) on the rear wheels.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Good point spinner.

 

[jimr]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

does it have bolts or nut/studs? if bolts just tap the edge a little with a hammer to break it loose. if it has nuts/studs you will have to remove the nuts and give it a good wack in the center of the axle to free up the cones. for a gasket just use good silicone and it wont leak

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

That's called a Semi-Floating Axle......<br />1 Single Blow, Centered on the axle, Will Pop it out..........<br />BUT,<br />Without removing the Hub,+ Repacking the Wheel Bearings with Grease, You'll Burn-Up the Bearings, Way Before Any Oil gets to them........<br /><br />SO.......<br />Yes, This is a Much More Involved Operation, than Just Changing the Gasket............

 

[DJ]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Actually, that is a FULL FLOATING axle. Meaning that the hub carries all of the weight, not the axle.<br /><br />Anyway, good advice given so far. You will definetely need to wrap on the end of the axle with a sledge hammer. Heres a tip. Start the retaining nuts on the stud threads. That way if you accidently hit one of them with the hammer, you won't destroy the threads.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Not to Start an Arguement,<br />But,<br />Our Mack Dumptrucks have Full-Floating Axles.......<br />The Axles, have Splines on BOTH Ends......<br />Thus, Full-Floating........<br /><br />A 1 Ton Axle, or Even right up to a Class 8, 34,000lb.Tandem axle,<br />Uses an Axle, with a Flange forged on 1 end, Which Bolts to the Hub.............<br />Hence, SEMI-FLOATING.......... <br /><br /> " Meaning that the hub carries all of the weight, not the axle." Equals Floating.....<br />Full, Or Semi........<br />Unlike a Car, or Pick-up, in which the Axle carries the Weight......................

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Bondo be right, even if'in I be wrong. Yep, its a semi floating axle.

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Thanks, lots of good tips here. I'll try to get this job done this week. But here's a stupid question, I'm not sure but it seems like I would have to take off the wheels to do this job? And the brake drums too? If not what holds them on when the axle pulls out? It is the one with the studs on it so I will start the nuts before I whack it with the hammer. Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

After you Wack the end of the Axle,+ Remove it,<br />You'll see the Big Nut,on the Quill,<br />That holds the Rest of the assembley together.........<br /><br />I Caution you Again,<br />Your Wheel Bearings are going to be DRY......<br />Fill the RearEnd Pumpkin with Oil,+ Park the truck on a Severe SideHill, With That Wheel on the Lowside......

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: 1978 Dodge 1 ton camper axle gasket.

Thanks Bondo, & all the rest of you. I got brave & tried it today. It's done. What I needed to know was that there are cone shaped washers in there that I couldn't get off. That was because I thought they were "lock washers", not what they are. So, I got brave & took the wheels off & tapped on the flange from behind & the cones came right out. I was so happy at this point. The job went flawlessly from here out. Not a whole lot of oil came out, I had it jacked up a bit, but the oil was a tad low as I knew it would be because it had been leaking for some time, but thanks to the tips here I had a bucket waiting to catch it. I also used silicone on the gasket, both sides, to ensure a good seal. I can't thank you all enough, but thanks anyway, I't would have been more work than it was without your input. You guys saved me a ton. Thanks. Bin Lurkin, but now I'm postin'.. <br />Give a man a fish & he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish & he'll sit in a boat & drink beer all day.