Dana 60 Carrier damage

[martinarcher]

Hey guys. I pulled the diff cover off my Dana 60 rear axle to drain the gear oil and I noticed there are grooves in the carrier. I just wanted a second opinion on what might have caused the damage. I found no metal shavings or gear parts in the oil or in the diff case. I inspected all the gear teeth and they all look great - no chips or visible wear - even on the pinion. Could these grooves be from a previous rear end failure? I am about to finish up the job and get the cover back on and the synthetic oil in - is there anything I should check for? If it is from past damage I think it is fine.

Also, I bought 75W 90WT oil for it. Thats what the guys at the parts store recommended. Does that sound right?

[averagef250]

looks like a prior pinion bearing failure that was repaired reusing the old carrier like you said. The gears have part numbers on them, if they are a newer part number than your truck it's a good bet they've been replaced.

[martinarcher]

looks like a prior pinion bearing failure that was repaired reusing the old carrier like you said. The gears have part numbers on them, if they are a newer part number than your truck it's a good bet they've been replaced.

When you say truck, you mean the numbers on the axle itself? I'll have to check them, but I'm 100% positive that what caused that damage is no longer in the diff, but checking those numbers would put it to bed.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

[Dragon]

I have seen that damage before. Someone pulled the carrier and mounted it in a vice when they tried to change the ring gear, It is easier to loosen up and then complete the torque process with the carrier installed.

75-90 is good. I use 75-90 Amsoil Synthetic in my Dana 60 and in my 70 they both have lockers. The oil works for locker and non locker rear ends and manual trannies.

[martinarcher]

I have seen that damage before. Someone pulled the carrier and mounted it in a vice when they tried to change the ring gear, It is easier to loosen up and then complete the torque process with the carrier installed.

75-90 is good. I use 75-90 Amsoil Synthetic in my Dana 60 and in my 70 they both have lockers. The oil works for locker and non locker rear ends and manual trannies.

Good deal - thanks for the confirmation! I'll be getting it all put back together hopefully today.

[averagef250]

I have seen that damage before. Someone pulled the carrier and mounted it in a vice when they tried to change the ring gear, It is easier to loosen up and then complete the torque process with the carrier installed.

75-90 is good. I use 75-90 Amsoil Synthetic in my Dana 60 and in my 70 they both have lockers. The oil works for locker and non locker rear ends and manual trannies.

If that damage was caused from holding in a vice whoever did it had some serious skill! Those marks look pretty clearly to have been caused by the pinion hitting the carrier for a few miles after the pinion bearings let loose.

90wt gear oil is all that's needed, axles aren't picky about what they run on as long as something's in there and doesn't have water in it.

[Dragon]

In all the trucks I have worked both at Ford and at home I never saw a pinion bearing failure like you say. I could see it happening. But the dude clamped to in a big vice and it kept slipping. He wouldn't listen to any of us tech. The Service manager fired him.