American Axles vrs Dana

[rjrkihap]

Front Axle

Does anyone know which AAM axle the front will be? Also, does anyone know what the axle diameter and splining are for the AAM 11. 5?



Thanks





Ron

 

[rhoads]

Dana vs American

One thing i can attest to is the strenght of the D and the real world test mine has gone through,and still untouched except for the right rear wheel seal ,replaced under warranty at 16k -then 3 days later by yours truley... Cause(inproper instulation by D/C dealer) May have been just that he did santiaze the componets which if that was the the case would have been dripping grease after the first day as i check twice the first day-onec the 2nd and on the third it arose again-- a mir 2 k later.

As for the wt rate'ng on the Dana 80 having stress tested the housing Mfg'ed by a Co. out of Wi. (cant re-call the name) to the tune of 15000 lb (down pressure)on rear axle assembly and componets, at temp's from 30- 98 deg + at hwy speeds from the east coast of Nc. to Sd. C. B. handle side step ,got it because i will not take a hit from a pot hole if i can help it. And i have held my breath more time's than i can remember(unexpected craters)poping up in the dark/traffic!!!

Being the rear drive tires still wear even across 4 at a rate of aprox 1/32nd per 16k tell,s me the housing nas not been sprung.

American has a tuff position to fill!!

Side note ;;; What do you get if you rotate tires front to back-side to side as per tire dealer/owners manual'S

The results--- All tires need replacement at the same time!!

I get 220k out fo the steer tires (remove at 6-7/32nd) and 150 k on the rear's . After a had 4 steer tires saved up I install them on the rear and run them out in the summer. down to 2-3/32nd.

I worked for a family leasing co. that insisted in rotating tires on there big rigs and after doing a under cover test (I & a co-worker)

those 2 month rotation's halted!! Time's the labor and tread wear savings by, at that time, 70 power units. over a year!!!

Then they went to watching for tread wear pattern change's,

Should have charged them for for tech'info on that one !!

 

[Chipstien]

Dana makes better axles than AA by far... . IMHO of course. It is sad that they have to cut cost by going with a lower quality axle on the 3rd gens. Just another reason to run my truck till the body falls of the frame.

 

[rjrkihap]

I agree that Dana Axles are legendary, but I can also attest to the fact that the AAM Axles are also very tough. I have only broken one in my life and that was a1st generation 10 Bolt on my full size blazer running 33in tires and a built 350. And that was after 130,000 miles. Besides my two Dodge/Cummins we own nothing but Chevy's and have never had an axle problem. I have no worries about the AAM axles living behind the Cummins. I do worry if they use the Governed Locker like the Chevy’s use. I have grenaded a few of those.



Ron



PS, I got an e-mail from AAM stating they will be using both the 10. 5 and 11. 5 behind the 2500 and 3500 trucks. They also stated they would be using a 9. 25in front axle. I hope that was a typo on their part.

:--)

 

[rhoads]

Failure

One reported failure is to many in my driveway. If one goes down you can times 100 if not 1000.

If the Mfg does there job right and the Owner maintaines the componet ,High miles(current unit not there yet!) are the only need for re-man...

Being in the transportation ind a few decade's have proven that.

What over (under) Edu'ed, over comp'ed Exc,put one product line problem,over the total production of all ,and changed what work application and not in another??????????

Reminds me of when the owners son took over from the folks and decided I'll show Cummins and bought 4 Silver T's "Detroits"

3 went down on the road and we (shop) applied a extra press to coolant so we could do a inframe before he(almighty) would let us, the one's who knew it was going to fail . We just adjusted his time table for the expendature. . And saved ?$$$$$ for the tow and replacement (away from home).

 

[Mr. Brewski]

RRhode - It sure looked to me a lot like a GM/AAM 9. 5" in the front. Is that the typo you refering to?