Deuce vs. 5 Ton axles: Same housing?

[rchalmers3]

Quick question for folks with both 2 1/2 ton and 5 ton front axle experience:

Are the 5 ton and 2 1/2 ton axle housings similar? Or are there different 2 1/2 ton front axles out there with slight inner seal differences?

I found mismatched inner seal retainers inside my 2 1/2 ton front axle. The metal retainer discs shared the same outside diameter, but little else. The thicknesses, flats, internal diameter and seal recesses were all different. It was a surprise to find the seal on the short axle was not secure, as the seal well was about 1/16th of an inch too large a diameter to grip the seal. No wonder gear oil pumped out of the boot if I topped off the diff!

I have parts coming, but am interested in learning how it was put together this way!

Rick

 

[Stretch44875]

No on the 5 ton axles being the same. You might find your old seal is wallowed out.

 

[rchalmers3]

You might find your old seal is wallowed out.

Nope, seals are fine! There must be another application out there where the seal retainer is different on everything except the outside diameter.

The reason I asked about the 5 ton axle is the inner thrust washer was wrong on that side as well. The washer has a larger internal diameter. My thought was that someone went to the parts bin and scooped up a handful of the wrong stuff!

Rick