Dana 60 maintenance, which seals to get?

[Richard]

I'm replacing all the seals and some bearings in my front axle as water keeps getting in and oil out. For the seal from the stub shaft to the spindle I currently have the old V style Dana Spicer 700014 like this:

But now there's a new style, Dana Spicer 708084:

Anyone try the new style? It's more...

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[O.D.]

What year is your D60 Richard?

 

[Kunker]

I know he's running custom D60's, I think from Teraflex. Not sure how that lines up with Ford vs Chev knuckles/outers and the like.

 

[Richard]

It's a custom Tera60 built in 2002 by DriveTrain Direct. I believe it uses older style spindle and hubs based on what parts I have part numbers for and fit. It looks like this:
http://billavista.com/tech/Articles/Dana_60_Front_Axle_Bearings_and_Seals/index.html

 

[mucovich]

I've been thinking about getting the stage 8 x-locks myself - great for piece of mind. I replaced my needle bearings with these...

http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/other-products/8/new-dana-60-44-30-spindle-bushings.html

with my old 44 and my 60 I found the needle bearings weren't lasting very long.

 

[dwcjwerfner]

I don't think any of those factory seals are made to ever withstand the pressure that water or mud higher than the axle itself creates. I also switched to the the Longfield bushings and find them much better as at least when the crap gets in there they don't seize like the needle bearings and score your spindle. If you end up in dirty stuff basically the only solution is to open it up to clean it properly which depend on carnage is anywhere from 1 to 73 times a year :flipoff:.
Seriously though the only time I have really found a problem with the dirt and water being in there was when I left it over a winter after wheeling Crag when we were breaking through ice and I was surprised by how much the water permeated the grease, and maybe because it was the end of the year and the grease was getting tired.
I also don't drive long distances on the road, if I did I would probably then open it up, inspect and repack as necessary each time I got into the goop.

 

[Richard]

I've been thinking about getting the stage 8 x-locks myself - great for piece of mind. I replaced my needle bearings with these...

http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/other-products/8/new-dana-60-44-30-spindle-bushings.html

with my old 44 and my 60 I found the needle bearings weren't lasting very long.

I'll be getting those then, even if they do get damaged they'd be easier to replace than the bearings. Not that it matters for me, but I wonder how well they hold up to highway driving in 4WD.

 

[Richard]

I don't think any of those factory seals are made to ever withstand the pressure that water or mud higher than the axle itself creates. I also switched to the the Longfield bushings and find them much better as at least when the crap gets in there they don't seize like the needle bearings and score your spindle. If you end up in dirty stuff basically the only solution is to open it up to clean it properly which depend on carnage is anywhere from 1 to 73 times a year :flipoff:.
Seriously though the only time I have really found a problem with the dirt and water being in there was when I left it over a winter after wheeling Crag when we were breaking through ice and I was surprised by how much the water permeated the grease, and maybe because it was the end of the year and the grease was getting tired.
I also don't drive long distances on the road, if I did I would probably then open it up, inspect and repack as necessary each time I got into the goop.

This is why I'm asking, I want to get better than stock as I'm too lazy to service the hubs every time they get wet. At least parts like the X-Locks and Longfield busings will make servicing easier. Last time I either tightened the spindle nuts too much or they tightened on their own because the hub was tight and the inner spindle nut got warped

 

[Richard]

I got the X-Locks yesterday and they sure look better and easier to install than the stock nuts, but my spindle nut socket doesn't fit like I was led to believe

My socket has 6 tabs and is 2 5/8" diameter, while the X-Lock nuts need an 8 tab 2 1/2" diameter. Out of curiosity, are there two different nuts/sockets that are used on 60's?

And does anyone have an 8 tab version for sale, or want to buy/trade a 6 tab with 3 spare nuts?

 

[mucovich]

There are multiple spindle nut sockets for the 60's. When I went to get one for mine there were about 4 different ones for the Ford's and 2 that covered my year! this is good to know as I am thinking x-locks in the future for mine, I believe the one I have is a 6 tab version too.

 

[chunkytrunks]

Richard I have one. I can drop it off and you can try it out

I'm not sure if it's correct as it looks a little weird lol.

 

[Richard]

I wouldn't mind having a look at it. Drop by anytime, I'm home all day today and most of the weekend.