Rebuild or just new seals?

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cmull

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First of all this is for a dana 70(I'm assuming dana 70 because the diff cover has 10 bolts, and thats the only other dually option I know of other than 14 bolt). The seals on the passenger side are leaking and leaking pretty bad. It would probably be quicker just to do the seals and wheel bearings, but I also want to put a locker in and my axle shafts are rusty so would it be worth a full rebuild? What all is involved in the full rebuild vs just seals/wheel bearings. Also, there is a rear end vibration that isnt wheels out of balance or bent. That Kind of makes me want to rebuild. Another option would be finding a new axle with a locker already installed. If I were to rebuild or buy a new axle I would have to save up for a while. Opinions?
Oh and these are my axle shafts...
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89Suburban

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Is that front or rear axle shaft? :wtf:
 

cmull

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Rear. The truck is 2 wheel drive. Must have been sunk in water at some point.. Still havent gotten the courage to open the diff cover.. haha
 

89Suburban

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WOW. I never saw rear axles rusted up like that! Makes me wonder how much has flaked off into the axle tube/rear.
 

marks86

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cab and chassis/motor homes had DRW 14 bolts

DRW pickup trucks had dana 70s

hows the magnet inside the housing look?
 

PrairieDrifter

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There's a lot of work that goes into an axle you have axle seals, axle bearings, carrier bearings, pinion seal, possibly pinion bearings or whole pinion shaft if it's worn enough, and if you do the whole pinion shaft you're gonna need the ring gear to match it, it's quite a process to actually do it and measure everything. Plus it can get pretty spendy
 

bucket

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May as well just use what you have, GM never had any type of locker option for the dually D70.

So have you pulled the cover yet to see if it's ugly inside?
 

cmull

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I just pulled the cover, I'm not to sure but I don't think it looks to bad? There didn't seem to be anything in the oil.. before and after I cleaned it all up.
 

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bucket

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Looks pretty good from here. You should spray everything down with a light coat of oil though. You cleaned it too well, it will start rusting really quick if left like that.
 

cmull

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Looks pretty good from here. You should spray everything down with a light coat of oil though. You cleaned it too well, it will start rusting really quick if left like that.

Ah okay! I think I'll just do wheel bearings and seals for now and see what happens. Still should I be worried about the rusted axle shafts? I don't have much extra money to throw around at the moment.
 

bucket

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I'd just clean all the rust off with a wire wheel and call it good.
 

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