I have a Dana S60 from strange. I am switching from my tru-track to a spool, and installing new axles and a ring and pinion.

There is a basic list of tools I would assume that everyone who is GOOD at this has. What are they, so when I start this I have everything I need.

Thanks

Josh

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and installing new axles

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https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...amp;Search=true

Some good links and info in this thread.

Dennis

Thanks Guys!

Hey Josh
Setup bearings...
Well the strange case may not need them though. But are a must with stock style dana 60 carriers. Of coarse a dial indicator for setting pinion depth. Strange or S&W maybe even Mark Williams Inc makes a handy center of pinion tool that sure makes measuring for axles and figuring dana offsets a simple task. Its pretty much a flat thin piece of sheet metal that bolts to a few of the cover bolts... Just hook the tape measure in the slot and pull and measure.
But
I dont have one, or setup bearing set. I measure a bunch until Im sure on length for axles. I also have worn out a few sets of cylinder hone stones making my own slip fit bearings.
Also a bearing separator or Bearing Clam for changing out inner pinion shims.
So far no problems with my Dana's in these race cars, which arent many 2-3 in the last 3-5 years personally and a few for friends too.
Most problems people have with dana breakage Im betting will lead back to not enough carrier bearing pre-load. Simply sliding some snug shims against the case on each side doesnt cut it.
So the last tool is a home made case spreader.

you don't need a case spreader or honed bearings for the strange s-60. it has a screw adjuster in the housing. A good hardened pin punch is all you need to turn them. after that a pinion depth tool is nice but not needed either. all you really need is a dial indicator, a good dial caliper to measure shims and the pinion head, marking compound,something to hammer the races in and out, and a ton of patients. You can buy a new pinion bearing if you don't have a press and a speader to get it off. I use assorted pipes to press bearings on pinions but have seen people use small punches to hammer them on.

Do this a lot and it get's simpler and easier each time.

IF YOUR GEAR HAVE A GREAT PATTERN AND DO NOT HUM NOW!!!

All you need is a new large pinion bearing and a long punch and hammer.

Pull the axles of course. Remove the yoke. Remove the carrier. Remove the pinion. If your shims are behind the large race which would be the best choice keep up with them. If the race and bearing is like new which it should be. Buy a new big pinion bearing(the same brand that's in there now). Press it onto the pinion. Now carefully read the numbers for pinion dept off your old pinion. Read the number off the new one. If it's the same stick the rear back together and set backlash. If not figure the difference and add or take away shims to make the dept correct. If you must check the dept but it should be correct. Set your carrier back in and set backlash. Check the pattern, if OK go with it. Be sure to set the pinion bearing preload. EVEN IF YOU DO ALL THE SETUP AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A GEAR IN THE HOUSING YOU MAY STILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE PINION DEPT TO CORRECT THE PATTERN. I have 8 sets of gears and have not struggled checking pinion dept in a long time. The pinion bearing preload is sometimes what gets aggrevating. I have an old housing so setting backlash can be time consuming sometimes. That S60 is so simple a 9 year old can do it.

The best thing is to have a phone number to someone who knows these rears in case you get screwed up they can talk you through it. But, make sure they are going to be around the phone when you tear into it. LOL

Great tip Jim.

The pipes are a lot safer to for installing bearings. I have chipped a brand new bearing with a punch.