Classic Mack Parts

[Mcrafty1]

Hey all, I have a 1986 Mack RD685S I've owned this truck since 2002. It's a dump truck and has been all it's life. I recently had a mishap in the pit and broke an axle shaft, the left rear and to my surprise it is no longer available from Mack nor is anyone reproducing that particular axle shaft. PAI makes the right side but not the left? I searched nationwide and couldn't find an replacement new or used. I was shocked to say the least. I happened to find one a few miles from my home in a old truck parked and out of service, the owner was gracious enough to sell me the axle shaft I needed and got me back up and running. However, now I'm nervous that other parts of this unit will become obsolete and I'll need to retire the truck for some stupid little part that will put it out of service. Has anyone else run into parts availability issues for there RD Macks?

[1961H67]

I’m sure there are a lot of us out here that are thinking the same thing,, that’s a beautiful truck and I guarantee it has a lot of life left in it! I’ve been down this same road with our Superliners , Mack will discontinue the simple things and I’m sure it’s because they just don’t sell enough to justify making it. Personally I’d rather keep running the old reliable ones because the flip side of that is if you had a new truck I promise it would be setting at a dealer waiting for some sort of sensor with in the first year you have it ,, No matter what make truck it is . There are a BUNCH of great people on this site that can help if you need parts in the future. 

[70mackMB]

Maybe you could buy that ol' parts truck that's just down the road. I'm sure you can get there from here.    .....Hippy

A little old Classic Maine humor.

  

 

 

[mowerman]

By the way, your truck doesn’t even look like it’s ever been used excellent condition… bob

[mowerman]

I think they’re going a little bit longer, but a few years back it was very common for dealerships to get rid of inventory older than seven years … seems these days it’s a little bit easier to get 30 to 40 year-old parts than it used to be … bob

[Mcrafty1]

On 11/8/2025 at 6:19 AM, 1961H67 said:

I’m sure there are a lot of us out here that are thinking the same thing,, that’s a beautiful truck and I guarantee it has a lot of life left in it! I’ve been down this same road with our Superliners , Mack will discontinue the simple things and I’m sure it’s because they just don’t sell enough to justify making it. Personally I’d rather keep running the old reliable ones because the flip side of that is if you had a new truck I promise it would be setting at a dealer waiting for some sort of sensor with in the first year you have it ,, No matter what make truck it is . There are a BUNCH of great people on this site that can help if you need parts in the future. 

Thanks, the truck really is all I need and works everyday I need it trouble free. I hate to think a simple part being obsolete will one day make it useless. Not to mention the fact I'm closing in fast on my 70th birthday and just can't justify buying a different truck knowing my working life is winding down.

[Mcrafty1]

On 11/8/2025 at 9:37 AM, mowerman said:

I think they’re going a little bit longer, but a few years back it was very common for dealerships to get rid of inventory older than seven years … seems these days it’s a little bit easier to get 30 to 40 year-old parts than it used to be … bob

I agree, it just seems odd that aftermarket still makes the axle shaft for the right side but have discontinued the left, I don't understand why that would be the case. jmho

[Mcrafty1]

On 11/8/2025 at 6:48 AM, 70mackMB said:

Maybe you could buy that ol' parts truck that's just down the road. I'm sure you can get there from here.    .....Hippy

A little old Classic Maine humor.

  

 

 

Something to think about for sure, However, I don't believe the particular truck is going anywhere and I really rather they have it sitting in their yard then mine.

[Mcrafty1]

On 11/8/2025 at 9:35 AM, mowerman said:

By the way, your truck doesn’t even look like it’s ever been used excellent condition… bob

Thanks, it has nearly a half million miles on it, but hey it's a Mack truck right.😁

[mowerman]

I was surprised I got my axle seal so easy.. I’ve mentioned before I don’t know why there’s no aftermarket dash parts available for those years since there’s tons of them still working… bob

[mowerman]

Also I’m almost 70 as well … I’m certainly on the wrong side of 30 … fortunately I don’t feel anywhere near my age and I don’t know how I got so old this fast lol bob

[terry]

4 hours ago, Mcrafty1 said:

Thanks, the truck really is all I need and works everyday I need it trouble free. I hate to think a simple part being obsolete will one day make it useless. Not to mention the fact I'm closing in fast on my 70th birthday and just can't justify buying a different truck knowing my working life is winding down.

That truck will be working right around this new emission choked trucks broke done on the road with a sensor code, parts for it will be around for quite awhile, i would much rather have a truck around this era than anything new.  terry  just might have to do a searching for parts if something does happen 

Edited 2 hours ago by terry

[mowerman]

Around here, I am hearing the new Western star. Seems to be holding up better than all of them. my old company got rid of all the Volvos because there were nothing but junk now the Kenworth and Peterbilt are the same way mainly factory recalls on both of them.

[Brocky]

18 minutes ago, mowerman said:

Also I’m almost 70 as well … I’m certainly on the wrong side of 30 … fortunately I don’t feel anywhere near my age and I don’t know how I got so old this fast lol bob

Enjoy the years as best you can!!! I felt the same way until 75-78, then I have slowed down a lot since I have 80 in the rear view mirror..

[mowerman]

Yes, Brocky …. These days I am aware I could fall apart at anytime.im hoping to atleast make 75 before everything starts falling off… im hoping to follow dick vandyke and Clint Eastwood lol bob 

[The Heinz]

8 minutes ago, mowerman said:

Around here, I am hearing the new Western star. Seems to be holding up better than all of them. my old company got rid of all the Volvos because there were nothing but junk now the Kenworth and Peterbilt are the same way mainly factory recalls on both of them.

I've been hearing the same about Freightliner and Western Star, but I don't have anyone that can help prove that. I have noticed a lot of the Western Star X series dump trucks popping up around here. For a truck that isn't a pre-Volvo Mack, they look pretty good. 

[mowerman]

Yes, I agree. They still got some pretty cool styling well I talked to a guy driving a dump truck about a year and a half ago and he told me he’s been driving it for about six months and it was nothing wrong with it at all. His company previously was buying all Peterbilt and now they’re going to all western stars on account of the reliability.