- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
Ok. I'll try and keep this in bullet points, and wait for follow-up questions.
Basically, I've started the work, and after doing some more research (mostly on YT), wondering if I'm getting in over my head.
I thought I could make the repair w/o having to remove the carrier / pinion, but we'll see what your opinions are
'03 Sierra with Dana 60 / 4.10 - Quadrasteer axle
- I want to keep this system intact (a big reason why I bought it), but am willing to make the move to a Corporate 14-bolt, if price for this repair gets excessive (> $1000, let's say).
- Outside of the pinion bearing, the system works perfectly - both electronics & mechanicals
- The internals of the diff are 'standard Dana'
On that pinion bearing...
Truck will make a howling noise from the rear on coast decel, at the right speed. Goes away under re-accel / steady state cruise.
With the driveshaft off, and moving the yoke, I've got roughly an inch or more of backlash, which I think is excessive. I can also hear a bit of a clunk at the end of the free travel. There's no lateral / up & down movement of the yoke, and no leakage from the seal.
At first, I thought I was going to simply remove pinion nut, slinger, replace bearing race.
However, I'm guessing that I may have to replace the bearing - and that's a 2pc affair, requiring removal of the carrier / pinion (axle tubes have to come out, and room is tight in my garage, to be frank).
The other thing that worries me is reassembly, since the carrier / ring / pinion will have been removed. Specifically:
- Mating of the ring / pinion surfaces (hoping this will be minimal as long as I keep any shims in proper places)
- Crush bearing sleeve on the pinion (guessing I need to replace).
- Setting the preload (described as a 2-man job), which looks like it would be required on a complete carrier disassembly.
So...those are my general concerns, along with an apprehension about being able to find a local resource to work on this (and what they'd charge).
Looking for members who've done diff work before, to chat them up. If you have experience with Dana / Spicer, and especially the 60-series, you're my new BFF
(for the uninitiated: While GM stopped using Dana axles some time ago, many Dodge / Jeep products have them (and some Fords))
Basically, I've started the work, and after doing some more research (mostly on YT), wondering if I'm getting in over my head.
I thought I could make the repair w/o having to remove the carrier / pinion, but we'll see what your opinions are
'03 Sierra with Dana 60 / 4.10 - Quadrasteer axle
- I want to keep this system intact (a big reason why I bought it), but am willing to make the move to a Corporate 14-bolt, if price for this repair gets excessive (> $1000, let's say).
- Outside of the pinion bearing, the system works perfectly - both electronics & mechanicals
- The internals of the diff are 'standard Dana'
On that pinion bearing...
Truck will make a howling noise from the rear on coast decel, at the right speed. Goes away under re-accel / steady state cruise.
With the driveshaft off, and moving the yoke, I've got roughly an inch or more of backlash, which I think is excessive. I can also hear a bit of a clunk at the end of the free travel. There's no lateral / up & down movement of the yoke, and no leakage from the seal.
At first, I thought I was going to simply remove pinion nut, slinger, replace bearing race.
However, I'm guessing that I may have to replace the bearing - and that's a 2pc affair, requiring removal of the carrier / pinion (axle tubes have to come out, and room is tight in my garage, to be frank).
The other thing that worries me is reassembly, since the carrier / ring / pinion will have been removed. Specifically:
- Mating of the ring / pinion surfaces (hoping this will be minimal as long as I keep any shims in proper places)
- Crush bearing sleeve on the pinion (guessing I need to replace).
Apparently, 'crush bearing eliminator' kits are available?
- Setting the preload (described as a 2-man job), which looks like it would be required on a complete carrier disassembly.
So...those are my general concerns, along with an apprehension about being able to find a local resource to work on this (and what they'd charge).
Looking for members who've done diff work before, to chat them up. If you have experience with Dana / Spicer, and especially the 60-series, you're my new BFF
(for the uninitiated: While GM stopped using Dana axles some time ago, many Dodge / Jeep products have them (and some Fords))