Eaton power divider elimination?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Deezl Smoke, Mar 19, 2011.

  1. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

    12,209
    100,723
    Jan 30, 2010
    keep stroking.
    0
    another thing to consider is if you are putting a flat bed on the frame is the braking you have to change the valve or plug the air lines for the trailer hook up to get proper braking power. if your hauling anykind of weight.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

    363
    189
    Feb 12, 2011
    Hillsboro Oregon
    0
    Point well taken. I do plan to plug the air lines and use the light cord for the bed lights. Its a 12' bed and I only have it registered to 26,000 gross in combination so if I can get to 5 ton net, I'll be one happy camper. I have not weighed the truck yet, but will as soon as I get the bed installed.
     
  4. melpromud

    melpromud Medium Load Member

    463
    114
    Jan 29, 2010
    camden ny
    0
    My only concern is how the power divide unit would get lube with the rest of the front diff gutted. Even with a pump the diff would still need gear oil in it because the power divider and main diff share the same oil. If his dont have a pump then it gets its lube from the ring gear slinging the oil up to the power divide and it wont be their any more. You definetly could move the rear rear to the front and leave the rear rear as a dead axle but their is still a lube problem with the wheel bearings. Yes you might be able to just grease the bearings and be fine but with out seeing the type of seals and what would keep the grease in the bearing im not sure if that would work either. I also think that just leaving the rear axle as a dead axle you would get stuck a lot. All that would need to happen is to drop one wheel from the front drive axle into a pot hole and all the weight would fall on the dead axle and you would be stuck. Just like a power divider that was unlocked only no switch to get you out. If the rear axle were a lift axle you could just pick it up and put the weight back on the front drive axle. I think the biggest problem is being able to tow the truck with the drive axle off the ground. I know a cheap way to make lift axle. Ive seen it done on a three axle low boy trailer that didn't need all three axles all the time. First attach two lengths of heavy duty chain to the frame of the truck hanging down to the axle houseing on either side. Then add a ball valve to the air line that feeds the air bags on that axle only. Dump the air to all the rear air bags with the switch on the dash. Weld a tab on the axle houseing to hook the free end of the chain to the axle houseing. Close of the ball valve in the air line to the bags on the axle you want to lift. Flip the switch on the dash to reinflate the air bags. Air will now only go to the axle you want to leave on the ground. As the frame of the truck raises so will the axle that had the air cut off and is chained to the frame.
     
  5. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

    363
    189
    Feb 12, 2011
    Hillsboro Oregon
    0
    Now we're think'n. Thanks for the reply.

    My truck has the axle diff locks as well, so I will still have that capability. But your concern about the getting stuck is a serious one, as you cant just get one more person to push. It will take a tow when a class 8 gets stuck.

    Usually a greased tapered roller system only has a dirt seal, meaning the seal really dont need to keep the grease in, but it does need to keep the dirt out. A viscous fluid seal like the gear lube, usually is a two way seal that keeps lube in and dirt out. So it has been my limited experience that as a rule, a viscous fluid seal will serve well when using grease.
    I have greased several front axle wheel bearings that were having issues leaking because of a damaged seal surface on the spindle. Speedy sleeves were not available. Those greased wheel bearings are still on the road and doing well.
    The "dead" rear axle would have a plug installed in the axle housing tube to keep dirt and water out of the bearings. A simple cap connected where the axle shaft used to bolt up should do fine to seal the other side. Even a broken axle that has the rest of the shaft cut off at the cap would be nice.

    I too have seen the poor man's axle lift a time or two. I was considering using two small diameter bags to push a simple cantilever to lift the axle and suspend it for transport. With the Pete low air leaf, there is plenty room to do this.

    I'm not adverse to spending a little money when I need to. I just would like to try a few ideas and exhaust the possibilities before I do. I like the way everything is installed now and the positions of all the components. If I start pulling bolts and drilling new holes everywhere, I fear I will have a lot of work for little return, this being a hobby rig and all.

    Thanks.
     
  6. melpromud

    melpromud Medium Load Member

    463
    114
    Jan 29, 2010
    camden ny
    0
    Ive never heard it called a poor mans lift axle before. I like it:biggrin_255: You could do it to both axles. Lift the rear dead axle when not needed. Lift the front drive axle when towing. If you have cross locks also then getting stuck in a hole isn't a big problem anyway. Ya drilling holes in truck frames is a hell of a lot of work.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.