Dana 60 Trac-loc.. what a pain!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 163
Likes: 44
Dana 60 Trac-loc.. what a pain!
Replaced the clutch packs in a Dana 60 LSD just 20,000 miles ago.
Last week, changed the fluid over to Valvoline that already contains the friction modifier.
Now the clutches are acting up again, binding and groaning! What a PITA this differential is!
What can I do to fix this cursed thing once and for all? Is it possible to remove the clutch mechanism entirely and replace it with something else?
I thought the Dana LSD would be a good option to have, but it has been the most unreliable component in the entire vehicle.
- Thanks
Last week, changed the fluid over to Valvoline that already contains the friction modifier.
Now the clutches are acting up again, binding and groaning! What a PITA this differential is!
What can I do to fix this cursed thing once and for all? Is it possible to remove the clutch mechanism entirely and replace it with something else?
I thought the Dana LSD would be a good option to have, but it has been the most unreliable component in the entire vehicle.
- Thanks
Last edited by N147JK; Mar 22, 2026 at 02:36 PM.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,703
Likes: 1,492
I feel like we need more context:
- ???,??? miles on the truck: clutch packs replaced. Why was this done?
- ???,???+20,000 miles: changed fluid from ??? to Valvoline with modifier. Why was this done after only 20,000 miles?
- ???,???+20,000mi+1 week: Clutches binding and groaning again: What other contributing factors do you know of? Wheel/tire size stock? Lots of off-roading? Always drive in a circle? Lots of low traction? Heavy payload? Lots of towing? Etc.?
I haven't seen much of this complaint here, so something is different with this axle.
What year/make/model truck?
What engine and transmission?
4 wheel drive?
How many miles on it?
- ???,??? miles on the truck: clutch packs replaced. Why was this done?
- ???,???+20,000 miles: changed fluid from ??? to Valvoline with modifier. Why was this done after only 20,000 miles?
- ???,???+20,000mi+1 week: Clutches binding and groaning again: What other contributing factors do you know of? Wheel/tire size stock? Lots of off-roading? Always drive in a circle? Lots of low traction? Heavy payload? Lots of towing? Etc.?
I haven't seen much of this complaint here, so something is different with this axle.
What year/make/model truck?
What engine and transmission?
4 wheel drive?
How many miles on it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 764
Different clutches might require different amounts of friction modifier to operate smoothly. In my truck I have a Dana 70 and I used it for many years with the stock clutch type limited slip with no problems. Most of the time I used Amsoil Severe Gear that I got from my monster truck customer who was sponsored by them. It was always quiet. Later I had to change out the carrier because it spun a carrier bearing race and I replaced it with a Yukon Dura Grip which is also a clutch type. It has been in the truck for about 8 years now and I used Valvoline synthetic gear lube the one that says that it contains a friction modifier for limited slip use. It has been trouble free.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,046
Likes: 164
From: Central Texas
Different clutches might require different amounts of friction modifier to operate smoothly. In my truck I have a Dana 70 and I used it for many years with the stock clutch type limited slip with no problems. Most of the time I used Amsoil Severe Gear that I got from my monster truck customer who was sponsored by them. It was always quiet. Later I had to change out the carrier because it spun a carrier bearing race and I replaced it with a Yukon Dura Grip which is also a clutch type. It has been in the truck for about 8 years now and I used Valvoline synthetic gear lube the one that says that it contains a friction modifier for limited slip use. It has been trouble free.
I just installed a Yukon Dura Grip and it states very specifically to use 80w-90 NON-synthetic gear oil, but to add friction modifier. It recommends Motorcraft XL3 which by many accounts is the best and the most stinki-est FWIW.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 764
Yes I know it says that but of course I already had the Valvoline and decided to give it a try. So far so good. But there is probably a lot of difference in the friction modifiers from one gear oil to the next. I did wonder why they didn't recommend using a synthetic lube. Do you think that it tends to carry the friction modifiers differently than a conventional gear oil?
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