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97 rear axle nut??

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Old 06-02-2003 | 10:28 PM
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97 rear axle nut??

Have diff. fluid leaking from left rear brake drum. I know it's diff fluid from the smell of it. I did a search and read a post regarding the nut. It states that the nut is 2-9/16. It even provided a link to tooldesk.com. that carries the socket for the nut. <br><br>Problem is the socket is a rounded corner style. And based on discussion, the nut is not a rounded corner style nut. (I have not physically looked at it yet) A statement of &quot;you need to grind the corners off of the nut in order for the socket to fit&quot;. So maybe this is a stupid question ??? but how do you get the nut off in the first place?? (in order to replace seal and grind the corners off). <br><br>Any tips on replacing the seal? What about mobil 1 for replacement fluid. Do I need friction modifier with mobile one?<br>I have read the posts and my haynes, I believe I understand how to do it. I would like to hear any tips or advice on this as well. What about bearing preload? Thanks, Kevin
Old 06-03-2003 | 02:59 AM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

My 97 was a rounded corner style nut. It is a 2 9/16&quot; socket. Tere is a small retaining clip that is embedded in the lock nut nylon that you will need to pull out, A simple set of pliers should take care of it. You might even want to have a new nut and retaining clip on hand to replace the old one with. Some folks say you don't need a new one, but it can't hurt.<br><br>I can't comment on the Mobil 1 and the modifier as I have never used that particular brand of lube. <br><br>I don't remember the torque specs so I'm not even going to try and post them, as not to create any confusion.
Old 06-03-2003 | 04:29 AM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Yes, and thanks, I read the post I was referencing again, turns out the comment about the square corners is refferring to &quot;converting to the old style double nut&quot; so I am sure you are correct about the rounded corners. I also looked at the manual when I was awake this time, and it showed the rounded corners in the pictures. <br><br>Thanks for the info, trying to get everything together for this weekend. I have owned this truck one week and am going through the entire truck, this past week the interior has been gutted, cleaned and put back together, along with engine degreased. Get ready guys, tranny will be next week. <br><br>Sure would like to know about the synthetic fluid and bearing preload. Pack grease in bearing or just use diff fluid? Kevin
Old 06-03-2003 | 11:24 AM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Definately pack the wheel bearings with grease. Go to a parking lot after you get it back together and do some figure 8's to get the diff lube out to the bearings. As far as pre-load, if my memory serves me right, it's 120-130 ft-lbs and then back the nut off about 1/3 turn. (I'm at work and don't have the book here)
Old 06-03-2003 | 12:51 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

I always put the hub back on about halfway and squirt a little gear oil in the hub cavity before I put the outer bearing on and tighten her down. I have never liked mixing grease and gear oil in a hub but others do - either way seems to work. What you don't want to have happen is to gall a bearing from lack of lube.<br><br>Always check the rearend lube level after pulling the brakes and top it off. If the level is too low there is no way for fluid to get out the axle shaft and lube the bearings. Figure 8s are good to do once in a while, or you can drive a hillside with a good slope.
Old 06-03-2003 | 04:40 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

The figure 8's will let you know if you need to add the friction modifier. If you feel a chatter when you are doing the figure 8's you might want to add a little friction mod. I would only add 2oz. at a time until the chatter goes away. You don't want to add too much.
Old 06-03-2003 | 07:05 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Well, I went to napa today to pick up the seal. Was asked &quot;is this for the 2-1/2 inch wide shoes or the 3-1/2 inch wide shoes?&quot; Of course I did not know. Any way to tell without pulling the drum? Kevin
Old 06-03-2003 | 09:07 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

kd460,<br>As per the Chrysler Service Manual for 1997 Rams:<br>The 2500 drum brake is 13&quot; x 2.5&quot; (diameter x shoe width)<br>The 3500 drum brake is 13&quot; x 3.5&quot;<br>I believe you need the seal that corresponds to the 2.5&quot; shoe width<br>
Old 06-03-2003 | 11:04 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Makes sense to me, I'll check another parts store as well. (maybe I got a new guy behind the counter-never seen him before). Thanks, Kevin
Old 06-08-2003 | 10:23 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Just posting a follow up for those who may end up tackling this problem some day.<br><br>Started to take things apart around 11:00 am sunday. Started with the wheel that was leaking diff. fluid. No problems, spent alot of time cleaning. Nut was 2-9/16, and came of easily using socket purchased from tooldesk.com. Pulled old bearing seal, cleaned hub and bearings, relubed with diff fluid. Installed new seal, lubed seal lip, installed nut using old retaining clip, torqued to 120 ft lbs. Assembled new brakes and went on to the left side. BTW took alot of cleaning to get all the old diff fluid sludge off of the brake parts and backing plate on the inside and outside. I ended up using a parts washer brush and a bucket of kerosene. Lots of rags too. Final rinse with brake clean. Replaced the wheel/brake cylinder as well. <br><br>Now to do a general look and see on the right side. The entire inside was coated with black sooty stuff. Removed the brake shoes and discovered why. Wheel/brake cylinder was leaking a small amount of brake fluid and gummed up the entire works. Right side shoes where ground down to the rivets (never heard a thing). So off to the parts store to order a new drum. Bearing on right side went smooth, put a little dent in the bearing seal during install (just my luck). Installed a new wheel/brake cylinder on right side after cleaning like the left side. Installed shoes (I really think satan designed drum brakes and all that nasty finger gouging, pinching, knuckle busting hardware and springs). Cleaned old drum and installed new brakes, quick adjustments and off I went.<br><br>Did lots of figure eights to move the lube around. No chatter that I noticed. Did alot of hard stopping in reverse to help adjust the brakes. No funny noises from the bearings. Took a 5-6 mile drive, felt the hubs and they were mildly warm. <br><br>Surpising how loose the bearing nuts were. Thought about torqueing less than book stated, but decided they knew more than me and went with 120 ft lbs. <br><br>Also adjusted my starwheel and removed the turbo silencer ring (I like the sound of the turbo). The starwheel did help the low end, but I did not adjust it all the way forward. Stayed conservative incase it spewed alot of smoke. Nice little improvement in low end response. ;D<br><br>I will pull the bad drum back off tommorrow and replace with new, also will drain diff fluid and install synthetic. BTW, diff was over filled. I had fluid drain when I pulled the hubs, and I still had fluid drain out of plug hole while sitting level. And that was after I jacked up one end of axle and then the other (just to make sure I got lube to the bearings. <br><br>I finshed around 8:00 pm, and my back aches. A few chipped knuckles, and a dent in my cheek from the wrench slipping when trying to pull those springs back into position on the brakes. Will finish up tommorrow and then it's on to the tranny. It's nice to know all is well back their now. I know my stopping has drastically increased. I hate to see what the fronts look like since they were the only ones doing the job. Kevin
Old 06-08-2003 | 10:43 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

I hope you backed the nuts off after torquing them to 120 ft-lbs. My CD manual says 1/8 to 1/3 turn. Haynes book says 1/3 turn.
Old 06-08-2003 | 11:20 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

Whoa!! No I did not. I did not even notice that in the haynes!!! I checked and sure enough it says 1/3rd. Thanks, you just saved my bearings!!! I owe you some cold ones. I think I'll pick up new nuts tommorrow with locks, just to have everything new and done!! I owe ya big time!!!thanks again, Kevin
Old 06-09-2003 | 07:20 AM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

No problem Kevin. Glad you didn't drive it and cook the bearings. I bought a couple of those locks once; they were $20CAN for both. I took them back and used the old ones. The dealer said I should be glad I didn't need the nuts. So be prepared to spend some cash if you replace them.
Old 06-09-2003 | 11:35 AM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

I hope you didn't drive too far with those bearing nuts torqued to 120 ft/lbs.
Old 06-09-2003 | 07:47 PM
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Re:97 rear axle nut??

I drove a total of about 3 miles not counting the figure eights in the corner church parking lot. I got paranoid and pulled the bearings again today, they looked fine. I did feel the hub last pm after my drive and no real heat. Slight warmth to the touch. Never exceeded 45 mph as well. <br><br>After checking the bearings and new seals (again), I torqued and BACKED OF 1/3. Right at the old position (can tell by the mark left by the lock, I re-used the locks and nuts again, my parts supplier did not have them.), I made sure the lock went into new plastic on the nut. After everything was installed I cleaned the lock area and lock with brake cleaner and used a little loctite on them. I did this last night as well and had to use a bic lighter to get them out. Just a little added insurance I guess.<br><br>New brake drum is on and diff fluid is drained. Everything wiped out inside diff as best as I could get to. Cover is on and I am letting the silicone sealer set up for awhile before adding Mobil 1 to the diff. Not sure if I will need friction modifier, but we will find out tommorrow. Once again thanks for the help, and berner, thanks for saving my bearings! I hope this is it for surpizes, I think I will let my hands heal a day or two before doing the tranny. Kevin
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