[dodgeramoverland]

hey just looking for some info and the dana 80 rear end
I'm just wanting to know how to check if the wheel bearings are blown or not and how to replace them if necessary
the truck has almost 310000 km on it
any info will be much appreciated

 

[Off-road]

if the rear have issues it usually starts with oil leaks in the hub seals. easiest way to know for sure is to pull them and inspect them.

 

[dodgeramoverland]

is it just as simple as removing the rear wheels and then the brake disk/e brake??

 

[DodgeMech]

you can generally see a inner wheel seal leak from the backside of the backing plate...if it looks wet, you have a leak

 

[Off-road]

wheel seal leaks arent always due to bad wheel bearings though.


do yourself a favor and download the fsm from mopar1973man.com and read through there a bunch. it will answer all these questions.

 

[DodgeMech]

wheel seal leaks arent always due to bad wheel bearings though.


do yourself a favor and download the fsm from mopar1973man.com and read through there a bunch. it will answer all these questions.

yeah, they're just from the crap seals that dodge used, and still uses...

i've never heard of bearings failing on the rear of any of the big three's HD trucks as a "normal" thing...i'm sure it does happen from time to time, but it's not something to worry a whole lot about

 

[Off-road]

funny thing is dodge didnt build the axle, spicer dana corp did.... and iirc they are owned by gm.

 

[trenthawks]

Both of my rear wheel seals started leaking. All you have to do is pull the drum off, take the bolts out of the axle flange, pull the axle out, pull the locking tab that keeps the bearing preload nut from backing off, remove said nut ( i believe its a 2 1/2" but it has to be a thin wall socket, I used a blue point sheet metal socket) that sets the preload for the bearings, yank the hub off and swap the seal. Follow the FSM for the torque specs when you put it back together to set the bearing preload properly.

 

[Off-road]

otc makes quality sockets of the sheet steel variety as well... and they are reasonable too...

 

[trenthawks]

The blue point cost me about $30 off the snap-on truck

 

[97trxuszj]

Blown wheel seals are caused from old age, oil contamination, hub not cleaned properly, and improper install. Unless a bearing completely failed you would see or hear issues before a seal gets blown.
Also if you keep blowing seals, check the axle vent it could be plugged.

If you want to check bearings, like said above just pull hub and bears and inspect if it looks good then reinstall with new hub seal.

 

[Off-road]

im likely going to do this for my truck when i do the brakes...

 

[trenthawks]

That's definitely a wise idea, seriously only takes about 10 minutes to do and clean everything up good once you have the drum off.

 

[Off-road]

i have discs..... :thumbsup: its cheap insurance.... and the time isnt that great to do it....

 

[bigfish95971]

If anybody has trouble getting the drums off, remember to back off the shoe adjustment. If the drums are worn too deep, replace them and bring back some rear braking.