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Dana 60 Outer Bearing Races "Cracked"

O

Odd Rod

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Has anyone experienced an outer bearing failure as shown in the attached picture? This 65 Sat is new to me and is a drag car being converted to street use. I was driving it home from the muffler shop and hit bump in the highway doing roughly 50 mph. I heard an awful shriek, it quickly quieted and the drive continued. The next time I took the car out for a short ride the passenger side bearing failed, I removed the axles, had new bearings installed and just wanted to see if anyone experienced this before I reinstall the new axles/bearings into the car. Of not, the shocks were worn out on the car on all four corners. I went with Gabriel gas shocks up front and Air shocks on the rear. I am hoping that will soften the ride and eliminate any chance of bottoming out?
Photo 1 - Driver Side Cracked Race
Photo 2 - Driver Side Left and Passenger Side Right
Photo 3 - Driver Side Axle Tube
Photo 4 - Car on Lift
Photo 5 - Failed Bearings, Race and Seal Spring Parts from Passenger Side
Photo 6 - Passenger Side Installed in Failed Condition
Photo 7 - Driver Side Installed in Failed Condition

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Look like green bearings, stock were tapered rollers. Look like they got really HOT.
 
Green bearings.... First time I've seen that failure but certainly not the first time I've seen Green bearings fail..
 
Are the thrust buttons still in the differential?
 
They look like the older style, the newer ones have the snap rings. The old style would fail.
 
A drag car... a street car. Two different animals. Although... back in the day... my best buddy's Nova with a Z28 302 with dual-660's on a tunnel ram and 5.13's was considered... a "street car" lol ! By the way, I love that car, especially that "shade tree racing" !!
 
It would be nice to try and measure how far the axles go in with out the bearings on
 
I have never seen them fail that bad. For street use I would go back to the standard factory style tapered bearings.
 
As stated, definitely check for thrust block or pins. Make sure to pack whatever new bearings you use with grease. Diff lube is not the primary lubricant for axle bearings
 
I've had a front outer wheel bearing race crack on a car back in 1970. It had a light knocking sound that I picked up on going down a street that was next to some brick buildings. Took things apart and found it. Have no idea what made it crack. Replaced it and never had it happen again.
 
1 Wild R/T said:
Green bearings.... First time I've seen that failure but certainly not the first time I've seen Green bearings fail..
Click to expand...
To date, NOBODY has ever stated the published the AXIAL AND RADIAL load capabilities of the "GREEN" style bearings (pre lubricated single row ball design) vs the Timken tapered roller bearings (or equilivant brand...SKF, TORRINGTON, RBC...etc), at operating loads. The snap ring does nothing to control the axial load hut simply positions or locates the bearing assembly in the housing. The axial or average thrust load must be totally absorbed by the roller assemnly AND the corresponding inner and outer races with the thrust buttons/blocks at the interior of the differential carrier at the end of the axle shafts. There MUST be CLEARANCE with regard to the axle to sllow for thermal expansion. Failure to provide expansion, preloads the axle bearing and ultimately its failure. Ball bearings are wonderful for certain applications.....rear axle bearings are just not the correct application......just my opinion of course......now the war of words begins.......let's see some actual documentation (facts and figures)......not what "my buddy" thinks.......
BOB RENTON
 
I would measure the fit in the housing for size and out-of-roundness.
Looks like the outer races were not being supported??? Just my 2 cents!
 
Last edited:
It is always possible that they were damaged when they were pressed on the shaft. Another worthless post that the poster never answers the questions.
 
RJRENTON said:
To date, NOBODY has ever stated the published the AXIAL AND RADIAL load capabilities of the "GREEN" style bearings (pre lubricated single row ball design) vs the Timken tapered roller bearings (or equilivant brand...SKF, TORRINGTON, RBC...etc), at operating loads.
Click to expand...
Define operating loads.
RJRENTON said:
....let's see some actual documentation (facts and figures)......not what "my buddy" thinks.......
BOB RENTON
Click to expand...
 
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