collison aftermath

JAKRANCH

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
217
Reaction score
245
Location
Benson, Utah
Hello all,
Had the misfortune of catching a nissan sentra with my rear passenger wheel. Frame is straight, every suspension component is busted. Debating on how worthwhile it is to fix(super cab 85 6.9) The kicker will probably be if my axle's still good or not. Any way to tell without driving it? When lifted off the ground and attempting to turn one wheel both go the same direction, which is not how it was before. Due to the leaf springs being warped i cant get the drive shaft hooked up to see how functional it is.
Thanks in advance
 

david85

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Posts
4,820
Reaction score
1,083
Location
Campbell River, B.C.
You ok? If you broke suspension parts, it sounds like a bit more than just mild a fender bender.

Rear axles typically don't cost that much from what I've seen. A sterling 10.25 goes for under $300 where I am. Dana60 front axles are the pricy ones.
 

frankenwrench

overkill is under rated!
Joined
Oct 8, 2017
Posts
843
Reaction score
490
Location
Weatherford tx
If the frame is ok and all u need is suspension axle and (bed?) I would definitely just fix it. Had a very similar issue a few years back. But it was my own fault. Smashed in my bed and axle. Went ahead and got new axle which I upgraded to an 01 or 03 super duty rear end a set of leaf springs off an 89 and bed off an 89. Couldn't find same color bed so I just used the roll on herculiner. All in all I spent 390 start to finish. Woulda been cheaper if I would have used another like yeared doner for the rear end and found a bed that was the same color. I don't mean to pry into what isn't any of my business but are you ok? I ignored what at the time seemed a slight hip and back pain thinking I just irritated an old war injury and turned out I did a bit of new damage that left me in a world of hurt the next day wen the adrenaline wore off.
 

JAKRANCH

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
217
Reaction score
245
Location
Benson, Utah
I am fine thank you for the concern. I am leaning towards fixing it. Just dont want to put a ton of work into it only to find the axles bad
 

JAKRANCH

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
217
Reaction score
245
Location
Benson, Utah
I jacked it up a couple days ago. The wheels still turn and the driveshaft turns. If i remember correctly the wheels turned the same way as each other. This is what has me concerned. With the open diff they should turn different directions correct?
 

sjwelds

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Posts
1,391
Reaction score
313
Location
Central KS
Don't know about that one but seems to me that if the axle was bent out of shape one or the other wouldn't spin at all...
 

david85

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Posts
4,820
Reaction score
1,083
Location
Campbell River, B.C.
How much resistance do you feel when turning the wheels by hand? Is there a chance you have a posi-track someone else swapped in there before you had the truck?

If there was a bend across the center section that somehow locked the differential, I would expect more stiffness and maybe some notchy feel to the movement.:dunno
 

JAKRANCH

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
217
Reaction score
245
Location
Benson, Utah
I would be really surprised if it was posi-tracked. Pleasantly surprised for Sure! spinning it felt normal. I've got some buddies coming over tonight to grip me take a look. Wife wants a second opinion on whether the frame is actually straight. Shes seen how some of my projects go lol
 

RetiringColt

Registered User
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Posts
58
Reaction score
31
Location
Washougal WA.
Glad your alright. Where you spinning the drive shaft or a tire? Remember if you turn the drive shaft you will be turning the carrier too. Which will turn both axles if they are unloaded. You could lock the driveline and spin one tire and see if the other spins backwards? I would suggest pulling your axles and rolling them in a home made jig to check straightness. Something like two V's cut in wood or something like that. Also look threw the axle tube and check it against a lazer beam? Probably could do the same on the outside as well. Hope that helps.
 

JAKRANCH

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Posts
217
Reaction score
245
Location
Benson, Utah
I jacked it up Saturday amd looked at it with some buddies. I dunno if I just remembered wrong or what but the wheels spin opposite of each other and spin smoothly. So now in my spare time..... I'll start tearing it down.
 

RetiringColt

Registered User
Joined
Mar 18, 2019
Posts
58
Reaction score
31
Location
Washougal WA.
Good point. I was thinking about the carrier side gear pin obstructing the view threw the axle tube. Could just pop open the diff cover and pull the pin. Probably not a bad idea to have a look inside anyway.
 
Top