94'-97' Dana 60 Stub Shaft Confusion

685 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by JCart, 2 mo ago

silasjones

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Hi all,

I'm currently restoring a 1994 D60 to swap into my 97 250. I ordered a new stub shaft from Amazon and the specs checked out but now that I have it next to the original D60 stub, it is definitely a much smaller part. Seller said fits D50/D60 f250/f350 which I have read elsewhere these stubs are interchangeable although it doesn't seem this way.

With that being said, I am now considering just using the original D60 part but my concern is that when I pulled it, the spindle bearing was toast and it had also worn down and created some grooves on the surface the bearing rides on.

Can I use this shaft or is it too chewed up? This truck will probably be put in 4WD a handful of times.

Thoughts on both predicaments?

Thanks

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1970something

· #2 · 2 mo ago

welcome to PSN.
i would not use that spindle.
and the new one may be for a D44.

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silasjones

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

1970something said:
welcome to PSN.
i would not use that spindle.
and the new one may be for a D44.

Yes I will probably order a new and correct part to be safe. As for the D60/D50 stub shaft, are they interchangeable?

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josh77

· #4 · 2 mo ago

I had same problem on my 97 axle with bearing & shaft I did put it back in with a new bearing when in 4wd it had a vibration at speed and the auto hub didnt work smooth being it was holding the shaft and not the bearing eventually changed it out when I sold the axle
in my opinion I would return the wrong one and find correct 1
also the 50 and 60 use different shafts in the obs but I think the 99 up 50/60 were the same may be where the confusion is from

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silasjones

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

josh77 said:
I had same problem on my 97 axle with bearing & shaft I did put it back in with a new bearing when in 4wd it had a vibration at speed and the auto hub didnt work smooth being it was holding the shaft and not the bearing eventually changed it out when I sold the axle
in my opinion I would return the wrong one and find correct 1
also the 50 and 60 use different shafts in the obs but I think the 99 up 50/60 were the same may be where the confusion is from

Gotcha, I will go the safe route. And yes I agree, it would make sense if fitment confusion started with the 99+ interchangeable part.

Thanks!

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1970something

· #6 · 2 mo ago

silasjones said:
Yes I will probably order a new and correct part to be safe. As for the D60/D50 stub shaft, are they interchangeable?

not sure on the balljoint D60's.
i only have and paid attention to kingpin axles.

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JGK

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Just want to clear up what I think is a misconception on your part… In your original post, you ask if that defective bearing race could be used on a truck that only goes into four-wheel-drive a handful of times. That bearing race is only having movement when the hubs are free. So if you had asked, I always leave my hubs in, can I use this stub shaft, the answer would have been yes. The needle bearing is only active when the wheel is turning and the axle is not turning.

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silasjones

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago

JGK said:
Just want to clear up what I think is a misconception on your part… In your original post, you ask if that defective bearing race could be used on a truck that only goes into four-wheel-drive a handful of times. That bearing race is only having movement when the hubs are free. So if you had asked, I always leave my hubs in, can I use this stub shaft, the answer would have been yes. The needle bearing is only active when the wheel is turning and the axle is not turning.

Oh I see, I was under the impression that the race was stationary unless the 4wd was in use. Thank you for clarifying.

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josh77

· #9 · 2 mo ago

JGK said:
Just want to clear up what I think is a misconception on your part… In your original post, you ask if that defective bearing race could be used on a truck that only goes into four-wheel-drive a handful of times. That bearing race is only having movement when the hubs are free. So if you had asked, I always leave my hubs in, can I use this stub shaft, the answer would have been yes. The needle bearing is only active when the wheel is turning and the axle is not turning.

actually that bearing only spins when it is in 4wd,
it is pressed into the stationary spindle and axle rides in it so is only spinning when hubs are locked or tcase is engaged

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JGK

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Thanks for correcting my error. I didn’t realize the OBS assemblies were that much different from the early Super Duties.

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JCart

· #11 · 2 mo ago

I’d source correct new part as the stub is not in that great of shape. Also contrary to what lots think, the Dana 60 rolls over almost all the time… if components are in good shape. If anyone has doubts about it use a Go Pro or tape a phone under there and go for a drive with it in 4x2.
Cheers,
j

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