Dana 25 Questions: '53 M38a1 vs '51 M38

Does anyone know whether the stock front axle from a 51 m38 is the same as the axle on a 53 m38a1? I am hoping to just swap it out without any modifications. (That is, put the m38 axle on the m38a1)

Since I know very little about this subject, I really don't want to get into pulling the carrier and then having to reset the ring and pinion depth. Can I replace the pinion seal without removing the pinion? Can I replace the inner axle seals without removing the carrier? I plan on going cheap and not replace the bearings.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

You should be able swap it with no modifications - I actually have a 1952 M38 rear end in my 53 M38A1. Check over at www.willysmjeeps.com & the forum at www.g503.com, those guys can help you out.

 

The pinion seal can be replaced by simply removing the drive pinion nut, washer, and yoke.
The inner axles seals can only be replaced by removing the differential case. If the gears are set up correctly and there are no other damaged components you will not need to re-set the gears.

 

Thanks for the answers.

I would like to put in new inner axle seals but I am pretty green on this stuff. How hard is it to get the carrier out? Will I need some sort of case expander? Is there anything tricky I should know about replacing the seals?

Does anyone know the foot-pounds for the bolts in the carrier bearing caps?

 

This place is a great resource but do you have a Factory Service Manual? If not I'd suggest you get one as it has lots of important information like service procedures, diagrams, and torque specs. Invaluable for someone who is starting out. Might also try out the search function as I know this has been posted before. My manual is not handy or I'd look it up.
The differential CASE is the part that the ring gear bolts to and can "usually" be removed with a couple of pry bars. It may need to be tapped back into place. If it will not come out then a housing spreader may be necessary, but I've found that rarely to be the situation with an older diff with plenty of miles on it.

 

Thanks for the response Nickmil.

Sooooo, the bottom line is that I shouldn't be scared to stick a couple of pry bars on the case holding the ring gear and spider gears (I called this the carrier) and pop it out.

Am I correct in thinking that the gear set up is controlled by the depth of the pinion gear, so if I dont remove the pinion, then at least I won't make things worst?

 

yes/no. the pinion and the carrier BOTH gear set the gear pattern. hard to explain without pics.

 

Thanks for the information Karl.

My understanding is that I am not going to screw up the way the ring and pinion mesh if I simply put the case/carrier back in the same way I found it. Is that right?

For general information for other readers, I found torque specs for the differential bearing caps in a Luden manual. He said 70-90 lbs, preferably more than 80 and locktight 242.

 

Yea, as long as you put it back together the way you found it you’ll be fine.
I don’t have a housing spreader but I’ve found that wrapping a strap around the carrier and popping it a few times with a slide hammer is an effective way to get it out.