went to change brake shoes, found diff oil in passenger side drum. A little research seems to show that this is the wheel bearing seal. Is that correct? What else should I do while I am at this? I am definitely changing diff fluid (synthetic?) and the axle bearings if necessary. Should I do both sides? or just the leaky passenger side?
The truck is a 2001 Ram 2500 w/ a 47re. the axle should be a dana 70.
Thanks

 

yep blown axle seal. might as well replace bearings on both sides and seals on both sides while you are in there...

 

Yea thats an axle seal easy fix just messy.

 

thanks for the previous advice. project got delayed by a concussion and 12 staples in my head. now i have replaced seals, inner/outerbearings, annd the brake cylinders on each side, shoes are hooked up and ready to roll on driver side, but I have one darn problem. There are no brake shoe links/ rods on the driver side! I found the mismatching things the previous owner was using in my drum. one was a bolt about an inch long, the other a small metal rod and they obviously did not work. The problem is that I cannot find these push rods anywhere. local dealership says they are no longer made so they can't get them, junk yards in the area are also a bust as is all the parts stores and brake shops. ebay has some for "a ford", a ford what I don't know, but they look the same....
point of story: where the heck can I get some of these things? I posted a price quote but have not a vender get back to me.

 

You might try looking for a mid 90s chevy 1 ton pickup. Their wheel cylinders are an interchangeable upgrade for the 94-99 dodges.

Btw...strange that you have an 01 with drum brakes. Most 01 and newer have rear disc brakes... hopefully it's not the same brakes my 2000 has In the rear. They were a 1 off and cylinders aren't interchangeable. However the cylinder rods might be? Worth a try...

 

Not that Odd, My 01 has factory dumb brakes on the back. I recently had to rebuild my rear brakes, because of a leaky wheel seal. I just went to Advance auto,(closet store to me) They had What I needed. Alot of places will sell you a brake hardware kit, that usually has all the springs and special pieces needed to rebuild the rear brakes. Other than that. I agree with ^ about the 90's Gm 1 ton's.

 

Why replace bearings if they're not bad

 

same reason you would replace both wheel cylinders if only one fails...

if you are already torn that far into something, might as well replace the parts that have wear on them while you are already in there so you know they are good.

or at the very least inspect them. if axle bearings fail it will take the whole axle with it... already replaced my S10 rear axle because of that... bearings failed took out the seal and soaked the brakes, but by then it was too late...axle shaft had severe wear and it was just cheaper to replace the whole rear axle than to replace all that crap, so I got a disc brake and posi upgrade out of it for $300 on craigslist..

it's just one of those better safe than sorry deals...

 

If you have one leaking seal then you don't have to touch the other side so you're not into it and bearings don't just fail they start to get play in them unless you run them dry for an extended period, so if there's no play I cant see changing them. But hey it's your money so do it how you wish it's just when you're giving other people advice keep in mind you're not spending your money.

 

thanks again for the advice. before going scouting for elk I went ahead and bought the two push rods that were on ebay. they are not hear yet but for a total of $10 shipped i figured I could experiment. If they do not work I'll try for the Gm 1 tons. those are 14 bolt axles?
The brake hardware kits don't include push rods.
The only bearings that i replaced were on the leaky side, the others appeared fine. When i tore into this I planned on spending the money to replace everything, and put posi in too, but the ambulance ride and ER visit put a real dent in my wallet.
I'll let you guys know if I end up redoing the side with only a new seal....
Thanks again, Ill post how the Ford rods do when they arrive