> Picked up a 85 ram and had a set of mags from a 83 ramcharger but the
> bolt pattern was different, so changed front rotors no problem but the
> back axles has me stumped please anyone with info....Help email
> dhjjl @wildroseinternet.ca
I'm not familiar with the axle, but there's three possibilities:
1. C-clip axle. These are axles that are secured in the differential by
pieces of metal resembling the letter "C" - hence the name. To remove
these, you must first remove the differential cover, then remove the
differential cross shaft (usually held in place by a bolt, but sometimes a
roll pin). Once the cross-shaft is removed, push in on the axle, and remove
the C-clip with needlenose pliers or a small magnet (magnet usually works
best). Then simply slide the axle out of the housing. The axle bearings
are pressed in to the axle housing, and if need be, can be pulled out with a
slide hammer with inside fingers.
2. Full-float axle. These axles bear no weight, and "float" inside the
axle housing. They can be identified by a small flange with bolts in the
center of the hub. Remove the bolts holding the axle flange in place, and
just pull the axle out (may need to tap on it to break the seal between the
flange and the hub). There is no axle bearing, as the axle is supported by
the hub, which has it's own set of tapered roller bearings.
3. PITA axle. I don't recall the proper name for these, but they have the
outer bearing pressed on to the axle shaft, and use a retainer to clamp the
bearing into the axle housing. If you see a hood-type looking piece of
metal inboard of the hub, bolted to the axle housing, you may have this
type. Remove the bolts holding the retainer to the housing, then using a
slide hammer and adapter bolted to the axle flange/wheel studs, rap on it to
pull the axle out of the housing. If you need to replace the axle bearing,
you usually have to bust off the bearing retainer (smooth round piece
fiercely pressed on to the axle, over top of the bearing) with a cold
chisel, then press the bearing off with a large press and a bearing
splitter. Press on a new bearing, and a new retainer. See why I call them
a PITA? :)
If you don't see any characteristics of #2 or #3, you probably have a C-clip
axle.
dhjjl@telus.net - 01 May 2007 05:43 GMT
On Apr 30, 10:27 pm, "Tom Lawrence"
<tNlOaSwPrAeMnMcIe...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > Picked up a 85 ram and had a set of mags from a 83 ramcharger but the
> > bolt pattern was different, so changed front rotors no problem but the
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> If you don't see any characteristics of #2 or #3, you probably have a C-clip
> axle.
Thanks I think its number 3 as I have the cover off and there are 2
3/4 inch bolts holding a clamp over a bearing and in the middle is a
7/16 inch bolt holding a smaller piece ofmetal like a hood, heres
hoping the other diff is the same type and i do not have to change the
whole thing for a couple of mags. thanks again. Derek
Tom Lawrence - 01 May 2007 12:30 GMT
> Thanks I think its number 3 as I have the cover off and there are 2
> 3/4 inch bolts holding a clamp over a bearing and in the middle is a
It sounds like you're looking at the differential, and describing a main
bearing cap and an adjuster lock. And because of that adjuster lock, and
the 12-bolt cover, I'd say you have a Chrysler 9.25" axle, which is a C-clip
axle. Follow instructions for #1.