A few Dana 60 questions

A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 08:17 PM

I have a problem with axle leaks on the Dana 60 in my Duster about every other year. I always use "Right Stuff" silicon sealer on the axle flanges as I was sold on this stuff when I saw some things we used this stuff on in the steel mill. Just checking to see approximately how many pints of gear lube you guys are using and if you rearends have a vent on them. Mine does not. If you guys are using a vent were was it installed and where did you buy it from. Thanks.

Posted By: 10sec440

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 08:57 PM

Yes you should have a vent, that's probably why its leaking. IMO

Posted By: Quicktree

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 09:05 PM

mine is vented, what bearings are you running? the axle seal should keep it from leaking. you do know it's just an old truck rear correct?

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 09:07 PM

Quote:

Yes you should have a vent, that's probably why its leaking. IMO

Yep... the heat is expanding the air so it has to
go somewhere and the seals are the easiest point of
exit.. just happens to have fluid with it on the way out

Posted By: Polarapete

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 09:17 PM

Is the leak coming from where the axle tube is pressed into the cast steel center? If so, you can weld the center to the tubes with 7018 rod and your arc welder. I had the same problem years ago with an OEM Dana 60 that I was using in my '68 Coronet even though it had a vent. Of course, back then I filled it to the plug level. The last two D60s that I built, I welded the tubes and there is no problem with it other than making sure that the weld area is clean enough...use PB blaster with a small wire brush followed by carb cleaner until it rinses clean. I always thought the centers were cast iron, but they are cast steel and the plug welds that hold the tubes are allowing flex and a direct path for gearlube to weep out. Bulk 7018 is meant to be kept in an oven for industrial use, but you can buy 1# sealed packages of it almost anywhere and if you use it immediately there is no contamination. When building a new D60, weld the tubes first, then narrow and jig it so that the final product is straight all the way.

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Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 09:38 PM

I probably won't get to dive into it till early next week but the last couple of times it was just leaking from the plate behind the sealed bearings. There are no axle seals on this and the welds aren't leaking. As soon as I pull the axles and reseal the axle plates it is usually leak-free for a year. i know that some of the old brake line mounts had a seal but this rearend is lacking one. How much gear lube are you guys using?

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 09:47 PM

Found one. I will probably install one of these while it apart.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cur-95065?seid=srese1&gclid=CKG-lJH0pr0CFVQV7AodVW0AUA

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 10:04 PM

John install the vent on the axle tube away from the oil in the ring gear area.Generally Dana 60 auto and light truck will hold 3.5 qts.We usually fill to just below the axle tube.

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 10:36 PM

Quote:

John install the vent on the axle tube away from the oil in the ring gear area.Generally Dana 60 auto and light truck will hold 3.5 qts.We usually fill to just below the axle tube.

Thanks Bob and everyone else. I hate leaks.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 11:00 PM

Make sure you put it in the tube near the cast area
of the housing... you dont want it in the area that
gets oil slung up on the vent

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/22/14 11:02 PM

Quote:

John install the vent on the axle tube away from the oil in the ring gear area.Generally Dana 60 auto and light truck will hold 3.5 qts.We usually fill to just below the axle tube.

Ya treed me Bob

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 03:33 AM

My current car had a Dana 60 with one of the Ultimate covers with no vent, it had a 1/8 inch NPT brass plug above the passenger side of the spool at the top of the cover so I put a 1/8 brass NPT pipe nipple in there and added some neopreme flexable tubing so it, the top of it, is higher than the top of the Dana now to vent it

It has the Mark Williams 40 spline axles and aluminum spool and all the other M.W. good stuff, why it didn't have a vent is a mystery to me, it did not leak or weep, even with 5.86 gears in it at 7700 RPM in high gear

Years ago at one of the Mopar drag seminars they recommended using one quart of rear end lube only in both the 8 3/4 and the Dana 60 for drag racing, they said, Tom Hoover or L.S, CRS, that the production fluid levels was set so high to help keep the noise down for the average car buyer

I ran one quart for a lot of years in both my Dana 60 and 8 3/4, even with posi uits in both

I did put 5 pints in the current car, it had the synthetic Redline lightweight green shock proof gear oil in it so I bought 2 new gallons of that and used it

I bought some of the synthetic Redline high strength shock proof red heavier weight also but I stuck it in the car trailer for future use, if needed

Posted By: draginmopars

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 03:46 AM

interesting- 1 Qt.
we are putting the rear back under the dart with a spool
I'll put a bore scope in there to see where the level is at.

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 03:50 AM

I think you are right on with the fluid level Cab. I think I'm fighting three or four issues. To much fluid, no vent, my car sits un-level where I park at home, and add to that I'm betting the temps climb pretty high in a closed trailer even in Pa on a hot day. Its an after market cover so if I have to I will re drill and lower the fill mark.

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 04:18 AM

I would contact Doctordiff for the correct axle seals for your rear.If the lube is getting past your sealed axle bearing then it has already washed the lube off the bearing.
The level could be up to the top of the housing and if your seals are good and the vent is in good working order the lube should never get past the seal.
Gus

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Posted By: B G Racing

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 07:39 PM

If your using green bearings you don't need the axle seals.They have o-rings and sealed bearings.Just apply a coating of RTV silicone in the housing bearing bores and install the axles.Trying to use axle seals will drive you crazy unless your using stock axles and housings,the aftermarket axles vary in diameter from different MFGs.Also tube diameters can vary as well as aftermarket housing ends.Some have no register for seals.

Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 07:49 PM

That's how mine are set up. i think a breather will help a lot.

Posted By: B G Racing

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 08:29 PM

Quote:

That's how mine are set up. i think a breather will help a lot.

See how nice we Hemi guys are

We have some nice aluminium breathers if you want to stop by I will give you one.

Posted By: Pacnorthcuda

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 08:36 PM

Quote:

Is the leak coming from where the axle tube is pressed into the cast steel center? If so, you can weld the center to the tubes with 7018 rod and your arc welder. I had the same problem years ago with an OEM Dana 60 that I was using in my '68 Coronet even though it had a vent. Of course, back then I filled it to the plug level. The last two D60s that I built, I welded the tubes and there is no problem with it other than making sure that the weld area is clean enough...use PB blaster with a small wire brush followed by carb cleaner until it rinses clean. I always thought the centers were cast iron, but they are cast steel and the plug welds that hold the tubes are allowing flex and a direct path for gearlube to weep out. Bulk 7018 is meant to be kept in an oven for industrial use, but you can buy 1# sealed packages of it almost anywhere and if you use it immediately there is no contamination. When building a new D60, weld the tubes first, then narrow and jig it so that the final product is straight all the way.

Great vintage SIR shot Pete!

Posted By: fourgearsavoy

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/23/14 11:03 PM

Quote:

If your using green bearings you don't need the axle seals.They have o-rings and sealed bearings.Just apply a coating of RTV silicone in the housing bearing bores and install the axles.Trying to use axle seals will drive you crazy unless your using stock axles and housings,the aftermarket axles vary in diameter from different MFGs.Also tube diameters can vary as well as aftermarket housing ends.Some have no register for seals.

Precisely why I recommended Doctordiff as there's virtually no combination he hasn't seen. I have replaced dozens of radial ball bearings because the hot gear oil washed the thick grease from the bearing. BTW I use a stock housing with the tubes cut shorter and pressed back into the center section.I used stock seals and Moser axles and they seal just fine.
Gus

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Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/24/14 01:47 AM

Quote:

Quote:

That's how mine are set up. i think a breather will help a lot.

See how nice we Hemi guys are We have some nice aluminium breathers if you want to stop by I will give you one.

You old timers or I mean you HEMI owners are alright Bob. I really appreciate the offer but my basket at Summit was filling up so I pulled the trigger Saturday and ordered some. Thanks again for the info and the offer.

Posted By: Polarapete

Re: A few Dana 60 questions - 03/24/14 06:21 AM

Great vintage SIR shot Pete!

That is actually at Bremerton Raceway about 1983. The background would show the stands and the return road if it was SIR. Bill Banks and I would race Saturday night at SIR, catch the ferry to Bremerton and be there bright and early when the gates opened, Sunday morning. No rest for the wicked!! I miss Bill, he passed in January 2013. I will have his name lettered on the Ramcharger as "Co-Pilot". The picture below is of the "Junkyard Dog" at Bremerton.