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Dana 60 set up is kicking my butt... Help

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elks

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So Im trying to get my dana 60 front setup with new gears etc. We have installed new inner seal, new race(bearing cups) the correct pinon shim set up and are now trying to bolt it together. The pinon comes through enough to get about 1/2 a nut on then when I go to tighten it I can't tighten anymore, I have a 36" snap on reachet 3/4" and was unsing a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter and managed to break the adapter.

IS it really supposed to be that hard? Iti s a 86 dana 60 with brand new install kit, r&P etc...

Any tips or good build threads>

Thanks a ton
 
pics of setup ?

and did you press on the inner pinion bearing ? only place i can think of to take up the length your talking about.
 
not sure what your encountering, need more info. I've never did a 60 but if it's anything like a 30 (it's been a while) I remember having bought extra bearings and honing them so they were slip fit ( I used these for set up) it took me a few times of taking apart and puting back together, plus the install kit didn't come with numerous small increment (thin) shims so if you had to add or take away you had to measure and reconfigure the whole pack (next time I'll buy an assortment of shims) if I remember right the 30 didn't have a crush sleeve, I don't think a 60 does either. I remember if you had to increase or decrease the depth whatever you took from one side you had to add or take from the other ( to keep your preload the same) do you have the nut that is a "pinch" style lock nut or is it one of those ones that has a plastic nipple inside that locks it? wish I could help more, maybe some more info/pics. there are guys on here that know this **** like the back of their hand just provide more info. I reply because I know it can be bitch seting up gears with minimal tools and experience
 
using old or new pinion nut?

Did you happen to put too many shims in the for pinion bearing preload?

I use an rattle gun, way to much takin on and off to do with a ratchet every time
 
Does a dana 60 have solid spacer shims or a crush collar?

Start with .030 for the preload on the pinion bearings if its solid spacer like a dana 44.
 
38377k5 said:
Depends on the Dana 60. AFAIK all GM's use shims.
Click to expand...


This was my first attempt at this and was following the guidelines of another far more experienced person in the shop (A guy who has been a mechanic for nearly 20 years). Well he kept telling me that it was going to be tight etc. I kept and saying it is not working something was wrong etc. Well the 60 I had already had the carrier, pinon and the ring pulled out etc. So I sold em knowing I was going with an air locker and re-gear....

Long story short, he swore up and down it was a crush sleeve, etc. I kept fighting it knowing something was not right... I finally convinced him when I twisted his 3/4 adapter in 1/2. With his attention I now had the opportunity to prove the flaw... The crush simply was not going to fit, I sohuld have went with my gut but when you only have a couple years shade tree style vs. 20 years professional style you go with. Needless to say we have the pinon set, we get to set the carrier on saturday.... And then work the 14 bolt over....

I hesitate not sharing as it is so stoooppppiidd, but maybe some else can learn from it.
 
elks said:
This was my first attempt at this and was following the guidelines of another far more experienced person in the shop (A guy who has been a mechanic for nearly 20 years). Well he kept telling me that it was going to be tight etc. I kept and saying it is not working something was wrong etc. Well the 60 I had already had the carrier, pinon and the ring pulled out etc. So I sold em knowing I was going with an air locker and re-gear....

Long story short, he swore up and down it was a crush sleeve, etc. I kept fighting it knowing something was not right... I finally convinced him when I twisted his 3/4 adapter in 1/2. With his attention I now had the opportunity to prove the flaw... The crush simply was not going to fit, I sohuld have went with my gut but when you only have a couple years shade tree style vs. 20 years professional style you go with. Needless to say we have the pinon set, we get to set the carrier on saturday.... And then work the 14 bolt over....

I hesitate not sharing as it is so stoooppppiidd, but maybe some else can learn from it.
Click to expand...


Eh its alright live and learn.


I know how you feel. Ive been in that situation at work before:

This isnt right, this isnt how this works.

Yes it is trust me.

I do trust you but theres something different about this one then.

No theres not just trust me.

For ****s sake just take a look at it.

No ****, well what do ya know thats not how its suppose to be.


:doah: :whistle:
 
unless you have a pinion depth tool, I don't know how you have the pinion set and done, and then on to setting just the carrier, unless there is another way I don't know (very well could be) setting the pinion and carrier go hand and hand, again I could be wrong but don't be so sure that your done with the pinon just yet, I have to point out that I'm no expert, but I just wanted to point that out to try to help, hopefully someone that is a little more knowledgable can elaborate. on the other hand, I will encourage you to go forward with setting up the 14 bolt, since you can add/remove shims from the pinion snout it's a little more easier IMO, and the carrier adjust with nuts fixed in the housing, I got a baseline and I followed what to do based on what pattern I was getting, I think I got a page with different patterns and how to correct them on here a long time ago
 
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