D-70HD rear axle rebuild July 24, 2017, 04:10:34 am It's been an expensive year of LD ownership, with the transmission and parking brake needing rebuilding, along with a new set of tires tires.More problems were to come.After eliminating the noisy transmission, I could still occasionally hear a faint whirling noise, that would come and go. I had heard it for a couple thousand miles but had no idea what it was, other than was getting more noticeable .A few weeks ago, coming home from a weekend at the beach, my wife went back to the kitchen to get something.She asked what the new noise, that was coming up from the floor, was. It was right above the rear axle.Oh ....., so, a few days later I pulled the axle apart and found a spun bearing, on the pinion shaft. Time for new gears.Having rebuilt several Jeep axles before, and having most of the needed specialized tools, I proceeded over the next two weeks to re-gear it. It was the most difficult job I have done in years, mostly due to lack of accessibility.The differential weights close to 70 pounds and needed to be installed and removed several dozen times, in between shim changes. Hard to do when you are working off a creeper.Let's say I was very nervous about how it would come out, setting gears is as much an art as a science and I had never rebuilt such a large axle. It's a beast compared to the Jeep's axles.D70 HD rebuild | FlickrTo provide access to the axle's internals, the fuel tank needed to be removed. It was the perfect time to replace the fuel pump.At a 100,000 miles, it was time.https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157684915984705The axle now has 1300 miles on it and it's quiet and smooth. Let's hope it stays that way.Larry 2 Likes
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #1 – July 24, 2017, 06:52:06 am Wow! nice (tough!) job. Glad you had the expertise and tools to do it and thanks for a nice pictorial.
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #2 – July 24, 2017, 07:36:59 am Larry, I continue to be amazed at your many talents and get it done attitude! I also wanted to compliment your photography skills; you do a great job with the camera in some difficult lighting conditions.Back to the rear axle; I am curious if you had ever had the rear axle lube changed? And do you think the years of towing your jeep caused premature wear? Or do you think that was just normal wear and tear at this mileage?With the same year LD, and 131,000 non- towing miles, I am watching your adventures with keen interest. I appreciate your willingness to share the good, the bad, and the expensive.Steve K. (about to schedule a preemptive fule pump replacement)
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #3 – July 24, 2017, 06:19:59 pm After seeing the flicker photos right after my last trip through Utah, I've been debating regearing to 4.56. Overdrive is just too high for a e350 right at capacity.
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #4 – July 25, 2017, 12:06:51 pm Quote from: Craig P - July 24, 2017, 06:19:59 pmAfter seeing the flicker photos right after my last trip through Utah, I've been debating regearing to 4.56. Overdrive is just too high for a e350 right at capacity.Re-gearing shouldn't be a problem but there will be a mileage penalty.The E350s are lighter and, along with the 4.11 axle ratio, get 2+ more MPG than equivalent E450s. When was ordering the new gears and bearings, I briefly considered 4.88 gears.Larry
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #5 – July 25, 2017, 12:44:30 pm Quote from: Larry W - July 25, 2017, 12:06:51 pmRe-gearing shouldn't be a problem but there will be a mileage penalty.The E350s are lighter and, along with the 4.11 axle ratio, get 2+ more MPG than equivalent E450s. When was ordering the new gears and bearings, I briefly considered 4.88 gears.LarryDo you have a cot set up in the garage for the UPS driver? Chris 1 Likes
Re: D-70HD rear axle rebuild Reply #6 – July 25, 2017, 02:57:07 pm Quote from: Chris Horst - July 25, 2017, 12:44:30 pmDo you have a cot set up in the garage for the UPS driver? Actually a bunkbed, the top for UPS, the lower for FedEx.Larry 2 Likes