Dana 60hd lock nut socket

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Jan 14, 2009 | 12:02 PM

CentralMassLandscape

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From: Worcester

Dana 60hd lock nut socket

I am trying to work on the brakes on my 76 f250 and i have to take off the lock nut to get the drum off. I cant seem to find any socket that will fit the nut, i have tried the 2.5" and 2.75" inch sockets from autozone but it looks like i might need something closer to 2 5/8". Anybody done this before? it looks like somebody improvised on these before because they are kinda gouged up.

Jan 14, 2009 | 12:42 PM

barbsbuddy

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I wish I knew how to post pictures. I made a socket to work on my truck. I found a nut the same size at a surplus store. I then used a piece of 1 1/4"x1/8" flat iron to wrap around the nut to make my own socket. I tacked the end of the flat to the side of the nut, leaving about 3/4" exposed below the bottom of the nut. When I got to the first corner of the nut I cut most of the way through the flat so I could make a nice bend to follow the flat sides of the nut. I did this all the way around the six sides of the nut to make a socket. I then welded a bead on the inside corners of the flat to give it strength. The outside corners of the new socket did not fit into the hub, so I then took the grinder to the corners. I came out looking good and it worked great.

Jan 14, 2009 | 12:47 PM

jake5611

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on my '79 f250 the same thing was going on with the gouged up locknut so instead of going to carquest and buying the 30 dollar specialty socket i used a hammer and screwdriver like the guy before me did, its not the right way by any means but it worked and saved me 30 dollars.

Jan 14, 2009 | 12:51 PM

tinaheels

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From: Levittown,PA

the socket size is 2 9/16,for a rear dana 60

Jan 14, 2009 | 12:56 PM

bartn98

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From: lebanon, VA

i agree with jake, dontworry about hurting the spindle nuts especially if there already messed up, the torque on them is not very much so a good sharp chisel and a ballpeen should do the trick & always worked for me

Jan 14, 2009 | 12:56 PM

CentralMassLandscape

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From: Worcester

Thanks for the info, i called around and found a 2 9/16ths socket at C.A.P. so i can move forward with it. How common was the dana 60hd in these trucks? ive heard about them in dodges and thats what the socket said it was for?

Jan 14, 2009 | 03:52 PM

75F350

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CentralMassLandscape

You absolutely sure that you have a D60 HD? The heavy duty 35 spline rear axle is so rare, I have only seen three in my life. One was in a picture, and one was in person, the other is in my truck. (did not come with this axle)

The spindle nut socket is the same for a standard 30 spline axle too. Just so happens that even the Gm 14B uses the same socket. This is real common.
Matter of fact, if you want better hardware for your D60 Rear, or D61, use the GM 14B nuts. They are much heavier duty, and will not loosten up like dana fasteners do.