[kwd1]

Well,
I changed the passenger side wheel bearing assembly today, got it all put back together, and the ##$%^& thing is leaking diff. oil. Figure I screwed the internal seal up. Took it for a test drive and a 3" puddle formed afterwards.

When I pulled the old bearing assembly out, the spindle stuck and came out about 2". I put it back with no trouble.
The only other thing I can think that might have caused it was that I couldn't get the 4 wheel to engage after I had it tore apart, so to take the spindle nut off, I put a breaker bar in between the u-joint and the axle frame to immobilize the spindle.

So, how bad a time am I in for trying to get this seal fixed? I heard once it's pretty bad....

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Before I go into a lengthy how-to, I really don't know if you've a CAD equipped axle or not. So, yes or no?

 

[DODGEBOYS]

yup its a CAD and when the axle came out the CAD fell apart and chewed the seal up / thats why it leaks and the 4x4 dont work / be very carefull with the CAD houseing bolts / they have a habit of snapping off because the corrosion from the aluminium houseing / its a easy fix with the right tools / l use a peice of threaded rod and washers to pull the new seal in place / get your new seal in and then put the axle in / and then put the CAD together

 

[kwd1]

Before I go into a lengthy how-to, I really don't know if you've a CAD equipped axle or not. So, yes or no?

What does CAD stand for? It's a 1500 solid front axle, no anti lock brakes.
thanks
KEn

 

[DODGEBOYS]

Central Axle Disconnect / thats the vaccuum pod thing in the center of the axle / the PASS side is a two[2] peice axle / if CHUMP is around could you please post an exploded veiw of the dana 44 CAD axle

 

[DODGEBOYS]

l found it

 

[KThaxton]

Just so as not to confuse kwd1, that diagram is of an older CAD axle, however the working components of CAD are the same.
The main differences between the older style and the newer (94+) are:
-The diff is on the other side, which in turn means......
-The CAD unit is on the other side, and is also mounted to the rear of the axle tube as opposed to being mounted to the top of the axle tube.
-New ones have a "unit" (one piece) hub assembly
-The new style doesn't have a bearing or a seal on the end of the axle tube.

 

[kwd1]

Thanks for the help fellas; found the CAD housing, found the diagram in my 99 shop manual.

I went 2 for 4 on twisting the housing bolt heads off, but I got the bolts out after taking the cad housing off by using vice grips on the remaing studs.

The CAD assembly was all put together properly. I think I must have damaged the seal when I torqued off the axel nut with the front half shaft immobilized by putting a breaker between the yoke and the steering knuckle. I did the drivers side once and put it in 4 wheel high to immobilize the half shaft. I tried the same thing for the pass. side, but didn't start the truck, so I guess the CAD didn't engage because of no vacuum.

I guess I should have put it in 4 wheel drive before I started.

Ken

 

[kwd1]

You know, I'm thinking about this some more and I think the seal may not be screwed up. With the cad housing off I could see the seal and the rubber is making contact all around (where I can see).

I'm thinking when I pulled the shaft out, a bunch of fluid leaked into the axle tube, and it is slowly leaking past that flimsy rubber dust seal on the end of the tube.

I haven't pulled the wheel back apart yet. I'm going to try just putting the cad back together, topping off the diff, and driving it a few days.

Thanks again for you help.
Ken

 

[Trailduster_Rulz]

put the CAD unit back together, top off the fluid and spray cleaner down the tub and blow it oiut with air and then drive it for a few day and keep an eye on it. Like you said some lube just leaked out when the axle came out that couple of inches.

 

[kwd1]

Just wanted to post a final follow up. That appears to be what happened. Put it all back together and topped it off and it's holding fluid.

I got the CAG apart and was about to tear the wheel bearing back out and decided to sleep on it. Good thing I did!

thanks for everyone's help.
Ken