If you were going to do a front axle swap ....

[big-blue]

Hi,
I got this weird very-slow speed "groan" coming from the front. It only does it at very slow speeds (0-10mph) and only after the truck has been driven a bit. It doesn't happen all the time but its started to get louder and more frequent (it seems). I am pretty sure it's coming from the front wheel bearings but not 100% sure since it's really hard to pin-point it down. It has a rotating sound that seems to go with the tire rotation.

I was thinking about doing new bearings since I am due for new front brakes soon anyways. However, maybe I should just locate a "better" axle ... since I just have the stock 10-bolt (but w/ 4.11 gears)?

So ... when folks are faced with an axle swap, what would be the axle that you look for? Dana 44? My use case is primarily towing. Not a whole lot of off-road ... but I am considering dropping in a Cummins 4/6bt engine it in a year or two and folks seem to swap out the 10-bolt anyways.

Maybe I am just day dreaming here ...

 

[truck-oholic]

I don't see any reason to swap out the front axle even with a Cummins especially not for a dana 44. They are about the same strength as a 10 bolt. If you were going to upgrade it would be a dana 60 and you are looking at a good chunk of change to do that upgrade. Now, if you don't already have a 14 bolt out back then i would definitely consider doing that swap whenever you drop the Cummins in.

 

[Blue85]

A D44 is equivalent to a 10-bolt. It would be very unusual for the axle swap to end up being less work than fixing the noise. It's probably wheel bearings like you said or if you have automatic hubs they could be hanging up.

 

[rjfguitar]

Nothing wrong with an 8 lug 10 bolt if the vehicle isn't used hard offroad or doesnt have huge tires. New wheel bearings and ball joints, even with the weight of a cummins, will probably out last the truck. D60's are also heavy, no need to carry around that extra weight if you don't need it.

 

[big-blue]

I don't see any reason to swap out the front axle even with a Cummins especially not for a dana 44. They are about the same strength as a 10 bolt. If you were going to upgrade it would be a dana 60 and you are looking at a good chunk of change to do that upgrade. Now, if you don't already have a 14 bolt out back then i would definitely consider doing that swap whenever you drop the Cummins in.

I may have not recalled that correctly then ... it must of been the dana 60s that folks were using. It was several posts I reviewed at 4btswaps, but going by memory.

The rear is the stock 14bolt, semi-float. The previous owner changed the gearing to 4.11s (both front and rear).

 

[big-blue]

A D44 is equivalent to a 10-bolt. It would be very unusual for the axle swap to end up being less work than fixing the noise. It's probably wheel bearings like you said or if you have automatic hubs they could be hanging up.

I wasn't looking at it at the 'more or less work' angle; I was looking at it being something worth while for the long term - especially when it comes to the heavier motor. But maybe it was the dana 60 that was being referred to.

I have manual hubs - could they fail in such a way when not engaged?

 

[big-blue]

Nothing wrong with an 8 lug 10 bolt if the vehicle isn't used hard offroad or doesnt have huge tires. New wheel bearings and ball joints, even with the weight of a cummins, will probably out last the truck. D60's are also heavy, no need to carry around that extra weight if you don't need it.

Not really big tires - I don't see myself going past the 285/70/16.5 I have on there right now. Good point about that extra weight - I didn't think about that.

Sounds like I was being over zealous with such an swap.

 

[Deuling]

If its just in a rolling assy, just fix the bearings etc.


If you actually break the axle, upgrade it later.

 

[K85 Octane]

D60's are also heavy

that's an understatement

 

[rjfguitar]

that's an understatement

Ah, it's subjective. At least you can push around a D60 by hand.

These..... are heavy, about 5000lbs for the pair.

 

[82355]

If you ever find a good deal on a Dana 60, then go for it. Otherwise, just fix what you have.

Martin

 

[dhcomp]

For something that you tow with, just fix the bearings.

I've done the axle swap a few times to get the gears I want, and for a truck that sees road miles, guys on here tend to down play all the parts that go into doing it right.

At a minimum, brakes, bearings, ubolts, etc. need to be purchased to swap the axle right. Stick with what you've got for now, and just fix it properly

 

[82355]

If you pull an axle out of a running/driving truck, there is no need to replace parts that worked just fine in the last rig.

Martin

 

[big-blue]

Thanks for the replies folks; I appreciate it. I went ahead and ordered new bearings along with new Warn hubs (just to be on the safe side). I have to do the brakes anyways, so I'll just get the brake rotors and pads from Napa when I have it torn down.