Spicer Drive Axles Service Manual Wheel Reduction Drive Axles (EA-50) User Manual
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Repair and Replacement
IMPORTANT:
To get maximum value from an
axle rebuild, replace lower cost parts, such as
thrust washers, seals, etc. These items protect
the axle from premature wear or loss of
lubricants. Replacing these parts will not
increase rebuild cost significantly.
It is also important to replace any part that
display signs heavy wear even if it is not
cracked or broken. A significant portion of a
worn part’s useful life has been expended. If it
were to fail later, the cost of repairing the
resulting damage to the axle would be far
greater than the cost of the part.
Steel Parts
—Gear sets, input and output shaft,
differential parts, pinion pins, and bearings are
not repairable. Worn or damaged parts should
be discarded without hesitation. Also discard
mating parts in some cases. Gear sets, for
example, must be replaced in sets. The ring
and pinion gearing must be changed in
matched sets. Spur and differential gearing can
be serviced separately.
Miscellaneous Parts
—Seals and washers are
routinely replaced. None of these parts can be
reused if damaged. Fasteners using self-locking
nylon “patches” may be reused if not damaged.
But, they should be secured by placing a few
drops of Loctite 277 on the threaded surface
of the hole and then carefully torqued during
installation.
Axle Housing
—Repairs are limited to removal
of nicks or burrs on machined surfaces and the
replacement of loose or broken studs.
CAUTION:
ANY DAMAGE THAT
AFFECTS THE ALIGNMENT OR
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE
HOUSING REQUIRES HOUSING
REPLACEMENT. REPAIR BY
WELDING OR STRAIGHTENING
SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED.
THIS PROCESS CAN AFFECT THE
HOUSING HEAT TREATMENT AND
CAUSE IT TO FAIL COMPLETELY
WHEN UNDER LOAD.
Silicone Rubber Gasket Compound
—For
more effective sealing, Spicer uses silicone
rubber gasket compound to seal most metal-to-
metal mating surfaces.
Spicer includes gasket compound and
application instructions in many repair kits.
It is recommended that this compound be used
in place of conventional gaskets. The
compound will provide a more effective seal
against lube seepage and is easier to remove
from mating surfaces when replacing parts.
Mating surfaces must be clean and free of oil
for maximum sealing effectiveness.