Help, my rear end is pulling apart

[griesel72]

i have a 72 dump truck, but i think someone has swapped out the rearend for a 14 FF. Well, i have been using it alot lately, and i noticed that the passenger side rear axel tube it pulling out of the differencial. I tried bumping it with my skid loader and hitting it with a sledge hammer, but no dice. Does anyone know the best way to get it to slide back in so i can weld it?

thanks
David

[LuckyHenriksen]

haha hitting it with the loader?

[Longhorn Man]

I have seen LOTS that looked like they were spreading... but enver actually seen one let go. Are you SURE it is actually coming apart?

[griesel72]

i noticed the passenger side dual wheels leaning in at the top, and started looking and noticed that the collar that slides into the pumpkin the rust is all rubbed off and looks shiney, like i had ground on it with a bench grinder. The axle tube is out about 1/2 inch from where it should be. (as long as it is supposed to be flush with the collar??)

[Longhorn Man]

Wow.... sounds like you figured it out all right. Like I said, I've seen a whole lot where someone was saying that's what was happening... but never saw it happen.
When you were using the skid loader, you had it jacked up and supported... not sitting on the wheels? The tubes are supposed to just slide in with a little effort... but nothing TOO strong.
I wonder if the tube is bent too?
I think I would pull that hub and backing plate off, allong with the axle, and see if you can't drive it in place with the bucket loader, or a sledge hammer and a block of wood to protect the edge.

[griesel72]

andy

i didn't have it jacked up, i just pushed on it with the wheels on the ground. Could that be my problem?? I figured that i would get some advise from here before it got too deep into it. I know i had it way overloaded and then i noticed the wheels setting funny.

So, i should just jack up the truck and then drive it back in with a sledge hammer?? Will it go easily with the u bolts still tightened up?

thanks
David

[Longhorn Man]

the springs could end up being an issue... but I'd try doing it while bolted up first.

How much did you overload it?????

I've had 5000 loaded onto a 1/2 ton truck, and drove it 15-ish miles quite a few times.... but other than wearing out the springs, I never did anything like THIS!

[KrazyKevin]

Got a kick out of the title to this thread!! LOL! Sorry!

[griesel72]

i had a little over 7 tons, I know, I know it is only a 1 ton truck

[Tx Firefighter]

Here's my idea on that.

Jack up the affected side, crank the left and right spring packs toward each other with a comealong, and tap the axle end with a sledge.

I think the comealong with steady pressure will make the difference when thumping the axle with the BFH.

[Longhorn Man]

good idea!


I almost comented on the title... but I decided I shouldn't

[WIDESIDE72]

better get your rear end back together before it starts leaking.

[griesel72]

thanks for the help guys, i'll try the come along trick tomorrow and let you know how it works

[mosesburb]

If you do manage to get it back in place and weld it, it will only be a temporary fix at best. The tubes are a press fit into the center section and once they move, it is all over. This has happened to a few guys that i know and each of them fully welded the tube to the diff housing only to have it re-occur at a more inconvenient time. My recommendation, with the weight you haul, would be to get it back together to keep it on the road, but start shopping for a replacement now. They typically are not too expensive and are genereally readily available.
Just my $.02.
Good Luck.