Rear differential.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: CA Bay Area
Rear differential.
The bearing in my differential blow up taking the gears with it. I searched this section and there is not too much info about the differentials.
From what I learned I do have Dana 80 differential, what suppose to be the best on the market, yet recommends bearings replacement every 150 k miles. It is not cheap job and shop quoted me $4,600.
I shop around and the best deal in the country was $519 for pinion gears and bearings. Add drive-shaft u-joint and supporting bearing, all the cost of towing and my time and it comes pretty costly any way you look at it.
To top it off the main nut need 470 ft-lb torque. I do have big wrenches, but might buy new huge socket.
So for those with high mileage trucks -beware. Mine did it at 240k and since I bought it at 195k, I don't think the bearings were replaced.
For gas powered truck owners -don't worry about this recommendation
From what I learned I do have Dana 80 differential, what suppose to be the best on the market, yet recommends bearings replacement every 150 k miles. It is not cheap job and shop quoted me $4,600.
I shop around and the best deal in the country was $519 for pinion gears and bearings. Add drive-shaft u-joint and supporting bearing, all the cost of towing and my time and it comes pretty costly any way you look at it.
To top it off the main nut need 470 ft-lb torque. I do have big wrenches, but might buy new huge socket.
So for those with high mileage trucks -beware. Mine did it at 240k and since I bought it at 195k, I don't think the bearings were replaced.
For gas powered truck owners -don't worry about this recommendation
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 823
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, Oregon
Kajtek1, try asking at shops that repair big truck transmissions and axles. They often have the best pricing and experience, since they cater to owners who use their trucks to make a living. The Dana 80 is at the low end of their range, but there are lots of delivery trucks out there with that axle.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
That's what I would say, and you beat me to it. Salvage yard.
Question is, will an F350 D-80 bolt up to an F450? An F450 diff might be harder to find.
Question is, will an F350 D-80 bolt up to an F450? An F450 diff might be harder to find.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Illinois
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
My 99 had 80k on it when I put the locker in.. The two big bearings were ready to be replaced..Glad I was in there at that time..
Dick
Dick
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: CA Bay Area
Maybe in your area. The shop I was towed to first -did locate the high mileage one for $3500.
I am DIY. I bought the best gears with Timken bearings for $519.
Just finished assembly today. Did the driveshaft supporting bearing and u-joint as well.
The 1 7/8" socket cost me $30,althoght if you think you can find this size in your near hardware story -think again. Took me Kragen Auto, than Home Depot and finally NAPA had it. . I had rest of the tools.
It is sweat to think that one day of work saved me $4000 and I know the job is done right.
What worry me is the bearing failure. Last time I had bearing fail on my car was about 30 years ago. Is the Dana design inadequate for the job? The rolls in failed bearing don't show any wear out and are still shiny. Looks like for some reason the cage gave up and let everything loose. The bearing was made in Japan.
I am DIY. I bought the best gears with Timken bearings for $519.
Just finished assembly today. Did the driveshaft supporting bearing and u-joint as well.
The 1 7/8" socket cost me $30,althoght if you think you can find this size in your near hardware story -think again. Took me Kragen Auto, than Home Depot and finally NAPA had it. . I had rest of the tools.
It is sweat to think that one day of work saved me $4000 and I know the job is done right.
What worry me is the bearing failure. Last time I had bearing fail on my car was about 30 years ago. Is the Dana design inadequate for the job? The rolls in failed bearing don't show any wear out and are still shiny. Looks like for some reason the cage gave up and let everything loose. The bearing was made in Japan.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
470 lb-ft takes only 8 foot long pipe extension and only 58 pounds on bathroom scale 
Holding the yoke was much harder. My big pipe wrench slip few times.
Holding the yoke was much harder. My big pipe wrench slip few times.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: CA Bay Area
Drove 30 miles today on new gears. The differential temperature was 168F with about 80F outside, so I guess it is not overheating.
Now cross my heart, after the repair not only engine pulls way better, but transmission shifts smoother and brakes are sharper
Now cross my heart, after the repair not only engine pulls way better, but transmission shifts smoother and brakes are sharper
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,191
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From: Blairsville,Ga
I would think a 4 ft pipe would be a lot easier to handle and 116 lb ain't that hard to pull
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: CA Bay Area
Now you are splitting a hair, or rather a pipe
Would I have 4' pipe, I would calculate for the length. Since I had 8 footer I did not see a reason to cut it for few seconds of use.
Anybody has a recommendation for first oil change? Can I do normal 30k (?) interval, or earlier?
I have a Mercedes sedan with 280k on it and to my knowledge still factory oil in differential.
Would I have 4' pipe, I would calculate for the length. Since I had 8 footer I did not see a reason to cut it for few seconds of use.
Anybody has a recommendation for first oil change? Can I do normal 30k (?) interval, or earlier?
I have a Mercedes sedan with 280k on it and to my knowledge still factory oil in differential.