How much play in the rear wheel bearings on my 99 3500 2wd Dana 80 would it take to create the vibration I have been working to eliminate for a while?

Probably not much play. You can have a bearing with zero play but have a galled race that would do exactly what you describe. The only  way to know for sure is to pull the bearings and examine them.

I just pulled the tires and axle out of the pass side and the inner bearing is sloppy with the outside one tight. Gotta find a wrench to get the nut off now.

I don't know if this has ever been apart. Red loctite and black paint still on the bolt heads.

Socket size is 2 9/16". I got my socket at NAPA quite a few years ago.

Does anyone have a good source for the axle flange bolts for the Dana 80. I now have 3 broken bolts that I'll have to remove.  Didn't know they had red loctite on them.

heat the flange with a torch first till hot and that will loosen the locktite.  junkyard will have flange bolts, rockauto might also.

I got it all done.  Bearings were in good shape, just needed repacked. Brake shoes were good also so while I had things apart I had the drums turned, one was slightly out of round. A propane torch did the job getting the axle bolts out. Made a drill guide bushing and drilled the broken bolts before removing the axle then with an easy out and a T handle and a small amount of patience until the propane torch did its job the broken ones turned easy also.

I haven't driven it yet but after I adjusted the pass side last week my vibration diminished some.  I hope it is all gone now.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I'll let you know how the truck feels after I drive it to work tomorrow.

Good possibility the out of round drum was the cause of the vibration. The shoes would rub harder where the drum was narrowest and cause you to feel it.

Well, still have vibration at speeds above 66 mph although it not as bad as it used to be. I had the drive line balanced as it was out of whack a bit but still shakes a bit.  Just found the lower pass side ball joint is not tight in the control arm so I have a new Moog control arm with ball joint and bushings already installed.  Thanksgiving weekend project to get that put in the truck. Going to try to get the transmission mount changed this weekend.  I've had it for a while but just haven't installed it yet. I am kinda throwing parts at it but it is things it needs and besides I now know what has been done and what shape it is in mechanically.

I got it all done.  Bearings were in good shape, just needed repacked.

No repacking to do on rear axle wheel bearings as they are lubed by diff oil, I really hope you didn't pack grease in them or you will definitely have an issue shortly.

According to what I read in the factory service manual, it says to pack them. My Haines repair manual said the same.

Oh well, if I have to change them later so be it.

I was doing the wheel bearings on my old Ford pickup. Had a dana 60 rear axle. The Ford service manual told me to pack the bearings in the axle too. I thought it was kind of weird so I didnt, but just to back up lcattin I have also seen service manuals specify packing the rear axle bearings.

Usually just put a light coating of gear lube or engine assembly grease on the bearings and races to get it by until the diff oil transfers out to the axle ends but never "Packed" them.

During reloading with gear fluid I suggest you load the diff completely full till its running out. The find a large area and do several tight figure eights. Then check your level again. I typically load mine till the fluid runs out the hole slightly. Then checking fluids is really easy. Loosen the plug, tip, if fluid runs out its full, tighten.

Even for diff lubed bearings, I have always lightly greased them. Even really packing them will cause no harm at all, as the warmed diff lube will eventually disolve the grease.

 

Ed

my 2001 has a torque spec for a new self locking nut that the nut is to be tightened to.

I had axle rebuilt at Sadler power train and they also packed bearing with what looked like Vaseline and when I asked why it's all in oil anyway they said it was for brake in time and eventually oil will brake down grease and it will be fine. I'm guessing if a guy is just readjusting old bearing oil would be fine and if you put new bearings in maybe should go with special grease.

Edited December 5, 201410 yr by Dieselfuture