preventing a spun axle bearing

[chiggerranch69]

I have been thinking of a way to keep my Dana 60-2 axle bearings from spinning in the housing and ruining it. They haven't spun yet, and I will be upgrading to a sealed roller bearing in a few weeks. What about drilling and tapping two holes in the end of the axle housing and putting set screws in them? I would use a longer set screw and put a jamb nut on top. Do you think I would need to machine a small (.030") groove for the screw to grab? Sorry for the long post, I just want to prevent something bad if at all possible. I know it's probably overkill, but WTH!

[fordman]

the outer bearings? i dont think you need to do anything to them. if they are worn just replace them. they are beveled bearings that run in a race. i will let someone else say more about this.

[chiggerranch69]

Yea I know but the outer race just sits in the housing. It's a snug fit, but heavy loads can cause the race to spin and grind the housing. I have seen it happen on other types of axles, and once it happens, there isn't a good, cost effective way to repair it.

[70_F100]

Yea I know but the outer race just sits in the housing. It's a snug fit, but heavy loads can cause the race to spin and grind the housing. I have seen it happen on other types of axles, and once it happens, there isn't a good, cost effective way to repair it.

If the fit is just "snug", you've got an issue, either a worn hub or the wrong bearing race.

This type of bearing setup has been used for decades, on everything from a 3/4 ton truck up to the big highway rigs and off-road equipment.

It should take some serious hammering or high press load to install the race.

[Hawkrod]

You should never do anything like that. A set screw will distort the bearing and any distortion will cause failure and grinding a notch for the screw in the race will cause a stress riser that will cause failure. Bearing races are hardened steel and you just should not mess with them until after you finish engineering school! Hawkrod

[chiggerranch69]

Never been to engineering school, but I did stay in a holiday inn. I know it's hardened steel, and I also know that cranking down on it could distort the race. That is why I would use the jamb nut to put light pressure on it. On a semi-float axle like the d60-2 the outer race is not pressed like a FF. The taper of the race actually has the big ID facing into the housing, so there is no way it could be a heavy press fit. It does fit tight tho. I have seen this mod on several axles before and it seemed to do the job with no bearing failures. BTW this ain't my first go round; I rebuilt axles for 4 years professionally, and now I teach about them at College. I just don't want the race to spin like many d60-2's do! Any ideas on different options would be great!

[Hawkrod]

Never been to engineering school, but I did stay in a holiday inn. I know it's hardened steel, and I also know that cranking down on it could distort the race. That is why I would use the jamb nut to put light pressure on it. On a semi-float axle like the d60-2 the outer race is not pressed like a FF. The taper of the race actually has the big ID facing into the housing, so there is no way it could be a heavy press fit. It does fit tight tho. I have seen this mod on several axles before and it seemed to do the job with no bearing failures. BTW this ain't my first go round; I rebuilt axles for 4 years professionally, and now I teach about them at College. I just don't want the race to spin like many d60-2's do! Any ideas on different options would be great!

Just tightening the set screw enough to lock the race will cause a stress riser and distortion. Race vehicles that do it are using specialized stuff or they are just assuming the risk. The thing is you can't tighten it and not risk distorion during use. You may actually measure it staticly when you build it and all will be fine but use cycles will cause the race to flex over the "bump" of the screw. The risk is much higher than you might guess. Hawkrod

[chiggerranch69]

Understood. Then what other options do I have besides waiting for it to happen? I know loctite maces a compound to help stop this, but I do not really trust it.

[Hawkrod]

Understood. Then what other options do I have besides waiting for it to happen? I know loctite maces a compound to help stop this, but I do not really trust it.

Loctite works. A bit too well sometimes (I have had to torch races out). Hawkrod

[chiggerranch69]

Which formula have you used or what might be best? I used some some years ago but can't remember which type.

[Hawkrod]

Which formula have you used or what might be best? I used some some years ago but can't remember which type.

640 is the nasty stuff that makes life miserable! LOL http://www.aboveallmotorwerks.com/Produ ... 424_S.aspx. Hawkrod

[chiggerranch69]

Ha ha. So I guess I should go through the axle before I do this or else cuss your advice later when I have an axle seal leak and can't get the axle out! Any idea on where to get parts for the factory "locker"? That's what Ford calls it, but I can see what appears to be clutches tucked up in there. I do know that thing is tight! It drags the inside pretty good in the dirt. There was a little fine particles in the case, looked like clutch or friction plate material.