1970 W100 Rear Axle...need thoughts - repair or replace

[clivis]

I'm driving 60mph down Loveland Pass, towing a trailer, when all of a sudden the rear wheel on the drivers side shears off. Thank God I was able to keep it between the guardrails and the tire sucked up into the wheel well and rode it out with me. Needless to say, I either need a new axle or repair the old one. This one broke clean off at the bearing. I'm not quite sure how to get the shaft out. The brake will have to be replaced as well. What are your opinions? Replace or rebuild? Either way...how would you go about getting what is needed?

[Seff]

It would be easier to find a replacement than rebuilding the one that broke.

[712edf]

I'd go for a whole housing swap. Maybe one from a D100 would work, they are a more common truck. Just dont stray too far from the 1970 model year. Seems like 66-71 (2wd) should be same. You can keep your pumkin if you have trouble finding an axle with your current ratio.

I'm assuming you have a 8 3/4" rear end.

Bucky

[ozzie]

I'm driving 60mph down Loveland Pass, towing a trailer, when all of a sudden the rear wheel on the drivers side shears off. Thank God I was able to keep it between the guardrails and the tire sucked up into the wheel well and rode it out with me. Needless to say, I either need a new axle or repair the old one. This one broke clean off at the bearing. I'm not quite sure how to get the shaft out. The brake will have to be replaced as well. What are your opinions? Replace or rebuild? Either way...how would you go about getting what is needed?

there is a 1970 D100 in the local pay, and pull on south 85/87 just south of the springs. saw it there , and it had the rearend in it about a month ago.Ozzie

[digdoug]

The wheel bolt spaceing is wider on a w100 than it is on a d100.

[712edf]

The wheel bolt spaceing is wider on a w100 than it is on a d100.

That I did not know, thanks

Bucky

[digdoug]

No problem,Bucky.
They use the same lug bolt pattern as old fords and jeeps. It needs to be bigger to clear the front hubs.

[clivis]

I knew about the bolt pattern change. I am partial to my rims, so need to stay with the size I have. The axle I have has 4:10 or 4:11 gears?

[soopernaut]

I think it might be difficult to locate a 8.75 with the larger bolt pattern.

[RussRoth]

My answer to this issue (MHO) is 2 words: Dana 60. Or larger. My W200 has a Dana 60HD from an '84 1 ton. Was not 100% bolt in but very close. Had to figure out something with the parking brake cables but was not a big deal. I did read you wanted to keep your wheels so that may not be an option for you.

[clivis]

Is it true that the w100 had a Dana 60 as it's stock axle? I had heard that, but am not sure.

[Jim100]

I'm sure it is possible that some W-100 trucks came from the factory with the Dana -60 but I would bet that most of them came out the door with the 8.75.
I could be wrong though as I have noticed I'm wrong a lot recently.

[712edf]

Is it true that the w100 had a Dana 60 as it's stock axle? I had heard that, but am not sure.

yes (rear axle) all W100's from 61-68. They were 8 lugs, same as W200.

69 was when W100 went to 5 lugs wheels & 8.75 rears.

Bucky

[Seff]

Just a quick question, could a jeep axle work?

[digdoug]

[quote="Jim100"]I'm sure it is possible that some W-100 trucks came from the factory with the Dana -60 but I would bet that most of them came out the door with the 8.75.
I could be wrong though as I have noticed I'm wrong a lot recently.[/quote


You are right ,Jim. There were quite a few more w100s produced after 69 then 58-68. When did dodge quit useing the 8 3/4 in w100s ? 1974? http://www.sweptline.com/hist/prod_info.html

[CMR70D3]

My 70W100 came with CHRY Hypoid with 4.10's and sure-grip. Is the sure grip standard or OPT on W series?

[soopernaut]

10,834- W100s from 61-68

9918- W100s from 69-71

I would conclude more W100s came with the 8.75 if you consider 72,73 and 74. I'm sure production numbers were pretty low from 58-60.

[Jim100]

I did not know that the early W-100s came with a Dana 60. I think I was wrong to suggest most w-100s came with a 8 3/4.
Even though the 8.75 went on after the end of swepties I think the original question was about sweptlines.
I am keeping my streak of being wrong alive!

[712edf]

My 70W100 came with CHRY Hypoid with 4.10's and sure-grip. Is the sure grip standard or OPT on W series?

I'm gonna guess it was an option. Just a guess on my part, but I know for a fact that not all the W200's (which were Dana 60 rears) had a limited slip rear..... so my logic says that 4x4 doesnt guarantee any sort of limited slip "sure grip" on the rear. For that matter it didnt guarantee any limited slip on the front, so a 4x4 could actually have only 2 wheels powering the truck, one on each axle.

Bucky

[powerwagoncrazy]

Look for a rear 8.75" axle from a '69-'74 W100- they'll be the same width with the same bolt pattern. So will the 9.25" axles used in the '85-'93 1/2 tons and ramchargers. You'd be hard pressed to find a 4.10 ratio in the '85-'93 rigs, though...