Homemade Dodge differential carrier preload tool

[signcrafter]

A few years ago I was helping a buddy with his dodge ram and his rear end was making some noise. I asked him about it and he said that in order to fix that he needed a special tool that was about 50 bucks, http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-6602.aspx. He was too cheap to buy it so just drove it like that.

I don't know why but last night I was googling and came across this topic again. Read that the tool is a 36mm male socket and guys are making their own out of a 36mm axle nut and a pipe. Well I happen to have a 36mm axle nut laying around from something. I've never needed this tool but thought since I have the pieces to make one I might as well make one to have on hand in case I have to work on a dodge axle.

Just wondering if anyone has advice or suggestions since I've never worked on one of these axles and just going off what I read online about the tool?

Here are some of the threads I read about making the tools.
http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119923
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212175

 

[unslow1]

I believe the cure that we've always used was Green bearings. They eliminate the adjusters. It's been a few years so check it out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-3-4-M...400-PAIR-/221333137479?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

 

[signcrafter]

I believe the cure that we've always used was Green bearings. They eliminate the adjusters. It's been a few years so check it out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-3-4-M...400-PAIR-/221333137479?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

Well I don't have a dodge or have a need for this tool really. Just remember one time I could have used it and have the parts to make a homemade one so figured I would make one to have if I ever need it. Won't cost anything and probably only take ten minutes of my time to run two welds. Was just hoping someone that had used one or made one would chime in to make sure the info I have is correct since I don't have one of these trucks in front of me.

 

[b-body-bob]

I believe the cure that we've always used was Green bearings. They eliminate the adjusters. It's been a few years so check it out.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-3-4-M...400-PAIR-/221333137479?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

Green bearings eliminate the axle adjusters that are found out at the backing plates on the end of the axle housing. The tooltopia link and other forum links are for a tool to adjust the carrier bearing side play.

You do not need any special tools to adjust the axle bearings on a Mopar product. Off the top of my head I can't remember what benefit the green bearings really bring to the table. I always just stay with the factory setup. I've even replaced whiny Green bearings with factory parts on cars I've bought. One thing I've learned over the years about Mopars is the build quality might not be top notch but the engineering always is.

If there's room or if you have a drop out center section, the same thing is accomplished using a scrap of metal for a handle, and two bolts welded in the right place to engage the holes in the adjuster.

 

[signcrafter]

Green bearings eliminate the axle adjusters that are found out at the backing plates on the end of the axle housing. The tooltopia link and other forum links are for a tool to adjust the carrier bearing side play.

You do not need any special tools to adjust the axle bearings on a Mopar product. Off the top of my head I can't remember what benefit the green bearings really bring to the table. I always just stay with the factory setup. I've even replaced whiny Green bearings with factory parts on cars I've bought. One thing I've learned over the years about Mopars is the build quality might not be top notch but the engineering always is.

If there's room or if you have a drop out center section, the same thing is accomplished using a scrap of metal for a handle, and two bolts welded in the right place to engage the holes in the adjuster.

So you're saying you don't need the tool I linked to at tooltopia?

 

[Shadowdog500]

This video shows that tool in action. I really don't know how you would set up that rear without the tool, but I'm ready to find out.

If your friend can't afford a $36 tool to do the job properly he should just toss some sawdust in there so the noise don't bother you as much. Can he afford sawdust? (Joking of courseon the sawdust)

Chris

 

[devoncoolman]

On the dodge rears you need the special tool there is no other way. B body bob is thinking about a 9 inch ford rear. On those you just use a spaner wremch to turn the adjusters. Most dana's and chevy rears use shims.

 

[signcrafter]

This video shows that tool in action. I really don't know how you would set up that rear without the tool, but I'm ready to find out.

If your friend can't afford a $36 tool to do the job properly he should just toss some sawdust in there so the noise don't bother you as much. Can he afford sawdust? (Joking of courseon the sawdust)

Chris

That was a few years ago, as far as I know the rear end is still going and don't think he ever adjusted them. If he's not concerned about it I'm not either. That's just were I heard about the tool.

I'm going to weld it up when I get a minute and then will have it if I ever need it. I'll probably never use it but if I ever do need it then it will be in the box.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thanks for the advice.

On the sawdust?

The video looks like it has some good info for a weekly auto thread .

Chris

 

[ol'Red]

We welded an axle nut onto an old 13/16 spark plug socket and use a long extension. And when I would remove a chunk I would count off 2 rounds on each side so you are in the ballpark when you go back.

 

[signcrafter]

We welded an axle nut onto an old 13/16 spark plug socket and use a long extension. And when I would remove a chunk I would count off 2 rounds on each side so you are in the ballpark when you go back.

I thought about this so it wouldn't take up as much room in the tool box and I also have some 24" extensions but I was worried about the socket coming off the extension inside the axle tube. Just thought a longer 1/2" pipe would work better since most of the tools you can buy are a long rod of some kind.

 

[ol'Red]

Forgot to mention its a 1/2 to 3/8 locking ext. used mainly for bell housing bolts.

 

[signcrafter]

Forgot to mention its a 1/2 to 3/8 locking ext. used mainly for bell housing bolts.

I have one of those but it's not locking. Do you know how long this needs to be by chance?

 

[ol'Red]

Mine is 30 or 34 I'll check tomorrow.

 

[signcrafter]

Mine is 30 or 34 I'll check tomorrow.

I just looked on amazon and it says the OTC one is 34" long.

 

[b-body-bob]

On the dodge rears you need the special tool there is no other way. B body bob is thinking about a 9 inch ford rear. On those you just use a spaner wremch to turn the adjusters. Most dana's and chevy rears use shims.

No, a ford 9" is designed like a Mopar 8-3/4, both have a drop-out center.

 

[b-body-bob]

So you're saying you don't need the tool I linked to at tooltopia?

My first point was that the guy who went all google-eyed over Green bearings was talking about the wrong thing.

As mentioned in my post and some following, what I described about making a tool works for rear ends with drop-out centers like a Mopar 8-3/4 or Ford 9"

 

[DTE]

I have 2 homemade adjusters, so you do not have to keep moving it from side to side as you adjust the back lash.

 

[signcrafter]

I have 2 homemade adjusters, so you do not have to keep moving it from side to side as you adjust the back lash.

Any pictures or details about them?

 

[signcrafter]

Does anybody know how long this tool needs to be? I've read different things. According to amazon the OTC version is 34" long. I just want to be sure before I cut the pipe to length. Hate to go through the work and be a few inches short or have it way to long!

 

[GTA Matt]

If you can wait til monday I'll measure mine for you, unless somebody here has one in front of them to measure.

 

[signcrafter]

If you can wait til monday I'll measure mine for you, unless somebody here has one in front of them to measure.

That would be much appreciated Matt.