2014 5500 rear axle blown

[trace-2008]

Hi all, I have an opportunity to buy a 5500 with a bad rear axle. I don't know what is bad internally the owner passed after pulling both shafts and the driver side brakes. I can see it needs a caliper as that is missing. I am hedging on the worst case possible and needing a complete rear axle assembly as I don't know why the shafts and drive line were pulled. The son has it in a storage lot where i can't work on it. It's been there going on 2 years. He is a friend of a friend and out of state, but said he drove it to the lot in 4wd (rear shafts and drive line removed). It started with a jump and sounds healthy.

Truck has 175,000 miles
Price $4,000

Is it worth it?

 

[flan]

Well worth it. He probably pulled the axles to do brakes on it. Caliper may of been brought somewhere as a core. If you don’t buy it post its location so one of us can

 

[Darkone]

Yea definitely buy it for that price

 

[trace-2008]

Where would one source that axle assembly? Im assuming its not a standard Dana 70.

 

[trace-2008]

Well worth it. He probably pulled the axles to do brakes on it. Caliper may of been brought somewhere as a core. If you don’t buy it post its location so one of us can

Maybe i don't understand, why would the floating axle shaft need to be removed to do a brake job?

 

[ShadowJ]

Hi all, I have an opportunity to buy a 5500 with a bad rear axle. I don't know what is bad internally the owner passed after pulling both shafts and the driver side brakes. I can see it needs a caliper as that is missing. I am hedging on the worst case possible and needing a complete rear axle assembly as I don't know why the shafts and drive line were pulled. The son has it in a storage lot where i can't work on it. It's been there going on 2 years. He is a friend of a friend and out of state, but said he drove it to the lot in 4wd (rear shafts and drive line removed). It started with a jump and sounds healthy.

Truck has 175,000 miles
Price $4,000

Is it worth it?

Be aware that you maybe looking at putting in a new transfer case as well. Driving on pavement in 4wd is extremely hard on it. Ask me how I know? Been there done that. In my case, the axle shafts and spiders were worn out and drove it home in 4wd, approximately 8-9 miles. Did the axles and spiders, went to change fluid in t case and full of shavings and glitter…..ugh. Not saying this necessarily will be your case, just consider it. Also, these complete axles with rear discs are pricey, even with that, $4k is a steal.

 

[flan]

Maybe i don't understand, why would the floating axle shaft need to be removed to do a brake job?

The shafts have to get pulled to swap the rotors. It sounds like the shafts are there though, correct?

 

[trace-2008]

OK. I didn't know that. Thanks. Yes, both shafts are with the truck.

ETA: I had to watch a few videos on brake jobs on the 5500. I suspect you are probably correct that it was disassembled for rotor replacement and never got back to. Minimum would require a new caliper and seals. I'll inspect the bearings and have a look in the diff for good measure.