Pretty explanatory. After reading about the Dana 70u and all of its pinion issues, I've decided to swap it out. That, and replacing the bearings every three months has tried my patience to the end.

So with that, I've done the best research I can before attempting this, but wasn't able to find anything.





Axle yanked. It took a 21mm impact on the u-bolts. 8mm wrench to take the yoke bolts off. 3/8 brake line wrench to remove the rubber hose coming from the frame. 13/16 wrench and socket to remove the shocks. Some fidgeting with the parking brake too.

 

You already have the new axle?

 

Got the Sterling from a friend. It rolls and has limited slip from what it feels like.




Now to finish grinding off the shock mounts.

 

Finally done.




Mock up for later.




Time to grind the Sterling now.

 

Driver side perch


Passenger side

 

Now for the hard part. Gonna need to get the correct pinion angle and proper spring width.

 

If you're replacing bearings every three months, you probably have another problem that will still be present with your new fear end. And might cause those bearings to fail too.

 

I've thought about that, but after reading about it, the bearings are the same size as a Dana 60's. With 275hp it just can't take it, it couldn't take it at stock power levels either.

 

Stock axle should be a dana 70, or 80. I am going to guess yours had the 70? Doing a bit of reading, it seems there are some interesting problems with the axle, however, this is the first I've heard of it...... which may, or may not, mean anything.......

One or two piece driveshaft in your truck?

 

It's definitely a D70, 10.50" ring gear, with 60 sized timken bearings attached to a one piece driveshaft.

Usually after changing them it'll just start up at random, as a quiet whir, then to a howl, to the extent of HOWLING and WHIRLING under power until I left off the gas. From what I've read, this is normal as the engine just wears out the undersized bearings.