Dodge D60 Center Axle Disconnect

Rennurder · Nov 14, 2010

I have a 96 2500 HD V-10. Lately it has become quite shaky in the front. ( about a month ago almost caused huge wreck due to 60mph sudden death wobble which progressed to violent axle hop). I've replaced shocks and axle ujoints since then and still shaky but haven't had the death wobble. Yesterday, after pulling into my nieghborhood, I decided to put it in 4wd and there was a nasty grinding noise comin from up there. Its been about 4 months since the last time I put it in 4wd and everything was fine.

Have any of you fine NWW people had this same issue?? Have you replaced the Axle Disconnect bearing on your POS Dodge??? Was it a fairly simple process? (thinking about down time since it is my DD) Is this even the problem??? Should I just blow this pile up???

Oh yeah...... slightly pulling to the right also.

Any info greatly appreciated!!! :beer:

EDIT: Also replaced balljoints and trac bar.

boxboy · Nov 14, 2010

Check /replace your ball joints.

Rennurder · Nov 14, 2010

boxboy said:
Check /replace your ball joints.

I forgot to mention.... Already did that too. I have all new arm bushings too, just tryin to find the shop time to get them done. And i dont think Balljoints would promote grinding noise while in 4x4.

ish · Nov 14, 2010

track bar?

Rennurder · Nov 14, 2010

ish said:
track bar?

Done about 6 months ago. Not so worried about the death wobble anymore as much as I'm wondering about the shitty grinding noise when I put it in 4wd.

Not Jobless · Nov 14, 2010

Tire wear.

Excessive tire wear in the front end will cause death wobbles.

Rotate out with the rears and see what happens.

Rennurder · Nov 14, 2010

Puss-N-boots said:
Tire wear.

Excessive tire wear in the front end will cause death wobbles.

Rotate out with the rears and see what happens.

I've moved tires all over this som bitch! Has anybody delt with the Axle disconnect?????

Turtle Bite · Nov 17, 2010

I just replaced the oil seal and the bushing between the two passenger side axle shafts on my 98' 2500 diesel a couple weeks ago. I didnt have any noises, but the oil dribbling out the axletube made me tear into it. My inner shaft support bearing seemed perfect so I left it alone, but the bushing in between the two shafts was in tiny pieces. My only advice would be to buy the special seal installer tool if you are going to change the oil seals at, I tried every trick I knew, including making my own tool with all thread. I got mine from quad 4x4, not cheap but awesome quality and worked perfect the first time. Also included very good step by step instructions with pictures.

The disconnect is pretty simple really, just pay attention to the sliding collar orientation, if you put it in backwards the 4wd will not engage, ask me how I know.

Rennurder · Nov 18, 2010

Turtle Bite said:
I just replaced the oil seal and the bushing between the two passenger side axle shafts on my 98' 2500 diesel a couple weeks ago. I didnt have any noises, but the oil dribbling out the axletube made me tear into it. My inner shaft support bearing seemed perfect so I left it alone, but the bushing in between the two shafts was in tiny pieces. My only advice would be to buy the special seal installer tool if you are going to change the oil seals at, I tried every trick I knew, including making my own tool with all thread. I got mine from quad 4x4, not cheap but awesome quality and worked perfect the first time. Also included very good step by step instructions with pictures.

The disconnect is pretty simple really, just pay attention to the sliding collar orientation, if you put it in backwards the 4wd will not engage, ask me how I know.

Thank you for the info!!! Much appreciated!!:beer: