Front axle shaft question

Arizona Ducks · Post by **Arizona Ducks** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:19 am

Are the front axle shafts as easy to replace as the rears? Ive taken the rears out and it's just a matter of taking the bolts off at the hub and then pulling them out.

I was wondering if it's the same for the front or are they connected by pins or something inside the diff?

I have a 1945 DUKW- Thanks for any help!

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:50 am

The front shafts are a little more work to remove due to the "steering knuckle" the process is outlined in your TM manual.You will need to remove the wheel hub and the spindle as well, the shaft will then be free to pull, Watch out for that inner axle shaft seal ,you had better replace it prior to reassembly

Proper lube is also critical.
Since you are so far into the axle you should take the opportunity to bring everything up to factory specs concerning knucle seals and trunnions

Joel Gopan had at one time a fair amount of axle parts avail.

Hope this helps
John

Arizona Ducks · Post by **Arizona Ducks** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:59 am

Yes, it does. Thanks. I was sitting and thinking about that and the manuals aren't here and I figured it would be more entailed because of the steering component.

I'll see if I can find Joel Gopan's info.

Thanks again!

Thundercat97 · Post by **Thundercat97** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:38 pm

I agree with John, Joel is a great source and nothing can replace good TMs. I have my repro that I get greasy all the time.

Good luck... I just finished the front axle on my CCKW 353 with banjos. It took some time but was well worth it since the leaks are gone and the new bearings are in.

Arizona Ducks · Post by **Arizona Ducks** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:14 pm

Thanks- got Joel called me last night to get started.

You didn't happen to videotape the work with detailed commentary didya?

Arizona Ducks · Post by **Arizona Ducks** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:19 pm

Now that I have the info and know what's entailed and since my Dukw is a working vehicle, I think to save down time I want to find a complete axle to service and then swap everything in while the current one gets an overhaul.

Anyone know of a complete front axle?

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:02 pm

Somewhere in Europe:

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:56 pm

It helps to have a metal putty knife to "shovel" grease into the knuckle as you are assembling the knuckle and inserting the axle. Saves a lot of pumping on the old grease gun...

They hold a LOT of grease!

Arizona Ducks · Post by **Arizona Ducks** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:18 pm

Anyone know if any other applications can be used to get a donor front axle? I realize there might need to be some modification, but I'm having trouble even finding a dukw one.

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:25 pm

I always assumed that the "banjo axled" CCKWs were interchangable.

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:20 pm

The CCKW and DUKW front axle are not 100% compatible if you want to go swimming.

The spindle is different along with the inner wheelbearing seal. CCKW owners beware! They will not fit! Been there, got the great deal on the DUKW seals in qty.... Got bloody fingers just trying to force them onto the spindle all by themselves w/o the drum!

The pinion seal I believe is different and I know that the retainer is different due to needing to hold the boot. If you look at an M211, they all use the round DUKW type retainer

MotorpoolMac · Post by **MotorpoolMac** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:05 am

Karoshi,

Where did you find that photo of the CCKW parts in Europe?

Is there a way to get a higher resolution?

Thanks,
Daniel

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:47 am

Sorry MPMac, no high res picture in my files. I found it whilst researching: Ecausseville Airship Hangar (Normandy, France), the site there was used as a central dump for salvaged equipment from all over Normandy.

Those famous pictures of piles of tires were also from the same place.

Google for Ecausseville, it should turn something up.

Karoshi

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:03 am

There you go:

http://flickr.com/search/?q=ecausseville

Karoshi

dr deuce · Post by **dr deuce** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:48 am

FABULOUS PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:10 pm

So near to Utah beach on the Cotentin, we may have to pay the place a visit during our 65th D-Day visit.