Making Dana 60 set up bearings?

[elks]

So I am getting ready to set up a dana 60. I looked and have found set up bearing kits for over $100. I really only need to do it once and it is a tool. So I have a hard time spending that much.

So can you take a cheaper set of bearings from Autozone and make them into set up bearings? Sand them out? Or machine them out?

I simply do not have a $140 to spend on a 1 time use item, but understand why I need them.

 

[paratrooper307]

It's my understanding that if you have a clamshell type puller you can get away with not using the set up bearings. However, even with the right puller you could still potentially cause damage which these set up bearings would prevent. I haven't actually done this so maybe some D60 experts can chime in.

If you don't want to spend the scratch on a one-time item, I'd look around and see if you can rent them or borrow them from another member or a 4x4 shop.

 

[1BEATK5]

D60 carrier bearings should be a 387A. Go down to the local parts house, (iirc vatozone was the cheapest at about $10 ea.)and buy 2 cheap brand bearings. They should come without races. Just use the races for our good bearings.

Then fire up the die grinder and grind the inner race evenly until they fit your carrier snug. They should come off by hand but not easily.

Don't worry about pinion bearings because the adjustment shim is under the race. However, 60s have a slinger that also goes under the same race. It normally goes destroyed when the race is removed. I mic it, then find a shim(s) that are the same thickness.I paint them for identification. use the shims during the adjustment. Then remove the painted shim and install the slinger on final assembly. I double check, even triple check the gear pattern again. Most overhaul kits will come with 2 of those slingers too, just in case.

 

[MNorby]

I used some old bearings that came off and made some setup bearings by hogging them out with the die grinder. It will get you ballpark but still expect to pull and shim a time or two after you get it good with the setup bearings.

 

[boz42]

What they said. I make my own from used bearings. Sand paper flap wheel on a die grinder. Sneak up on the new ID. Cool the bearing before you slip fit it. If its hot, U are not gonna get a good fit.

 

[Mastiff]

Not to hijack, but what are setup bearings?

 

[MNorby]

When setting up gears in a dana axle there are shims that are installed before pressing on the bearings. Generally it may take a few times adjusting shim thickness so then you must pull the bearing to change shims and press back on. Setup bearing allow you to change the shims without pressing the bearings on/off, just slide them on/off by hand. This allows you to get your setup fairly close without pressing on the new bearings as often.

 

[Leadfoot]

When setting up gears in a dana axle there are shims that are installed before pressing on the bearings. Generally it may take a few times adjusting shim thickness so then you must pull the bearing to change shims and press back on. Setup bearing allow you to change the shims without pressing the bearings on/off, just slide them on/off by hand. This allows you to get your setup fairly close without pressing on the new bearings as often.

While not the cheapest route, it's not the most expensive either. I buy two sets of identical bearings (Timken). Grind the OD of any races I need to pop in/out and clearance the inner ID of any bearings I need to pop in/out on my setup bearings. Get everything dialed in with the setup bearings and then press the new bearing in place and ready to go after a final check. No issue to date.

You can save those setup bearings in a clean zip-loc bag for the next time (just use the same Timken bearings for the next install).