Dana 70 metal particles

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I've seen some reference to this in previous posts. I have the Dana 70, 4:10's, Limited Slip, Mag-Hytec cover. My question is: How much metallic debris should build up on the magnetic dipstick and how fast? In 500 miles or so, mine gets about 1/8" or so buildup about an inch long on the dipstick. When rubbed into a paper towel it's very fine particles, not chips. Does this come from the LS clutch material? Does this seem like a normal amount of buildup? In the installation material that came with the Mag-Hytec it mentions a buildup of metallic fuzz but it's not clear how much or how fast it builds up. I have already replaced my carrier bearings once and am somewhat concerned about the stuff on my magnets. Any expert opinions? Anyone else notice this on their Mag-Hytec?

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10's, Automatic, TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans temp gauges. Optima Red Top batteries All black. 5th wheel hitch and camper tie downs. Tow 13k #'s 33. 5' HitchHiker fiver and also use 9. 5' Lance Camper (not at the same time of course)

 

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When I bought my 92 (used) it had 4. 10's and I wanted the 3. 54's so off to the gear guy with only 26,000 on the OD - well I go to pick it up the next day and he tells me that the carrier bearings were worn pretty bad so he put new ones in (no extra cost). This tells me that maybe the 70's are a little weak for all that power. I now have a 99 with the 80 and will be changing the fluid this Summer and hope to afford a Mag-Hytec cover so I can inspect the pumpkin a little more than once in a life time.

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99 2500, QC, SLT, 4x4 ISB, 5sp, 3. 55lsd, Infiniti am/fm/cd, HDTcase, Tow mirrors, Tow Pack, Camper pack, NW Running Boards and Mud flaps, Front Mount Receiver, Tekonsha Brake Control and Husky Liners.

 

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Ron if you really need to know! send a sample to a oil analysis lab. They will tell you what the condition of the oil is as well as the amount of iron present in the oil relative to what that particular gear box should have.


My first sample at 25K "pegged the needle" with iron, Breakin of the gears was DANA axle sresponse and quite normal for the first change (should dump that original oil within the first few oil changes). I have not had a sample come back with very high iron but the oil has failed because of additive package wore out once. This is with 30K samples. I dump every 30K now (150K on the truck). Running Amsoil Series 3K 75W90 and Mopar antislip additive (2 bottles) in my Dana 80.

jjw
ND

 

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I have 45k on the truck, bearings were changed at 41k. Have about 3000 miles on Amsoil 75-140 with LS additive. I know the oil can't be worn out yet. Oil has been changed about 4 times since new, should be broken in by now I think.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10's, Automatic, TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans temp gauges. Optima Red Top batteries All black. 5th wheel hitch and camper tie downs. Tow 13k #'s 33. 5' HitchHiker fiver and also use 9. 5' Lance Camper (not at the same time of course)

 

[Archive]

I also had quite a bit of crud on my dipstick after only 20 miles or so after changing the oil and installing the Mag HT cover. I sure as hell hope this isn't abnormal! Looks like I'll be changing the oil again soon to fix a slight "weep" I'm having with the cover.

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'99 3500 QC 4x2, Auto, white/agate, 4. 10 LSD, camping & towing pkg. , Mag-Hytec rear cover & trans. pan, Auto Meter gages, K&N air filter, Mopar bed liner & mud flaps, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller, Rancho step rails

'97 Pace American 28' "Aerosport" tag race car trailer

 

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As anyone who has seen my posts will know, I absolutely love the Mag-Hytec cover. My dipstick looks exactly like what you describe and it's my understanding that this is normal. Watch out for large size particles, this would not be normal. When I wipe the dipstick off, this stuff looks like black dust and has no sharp edges. You should be OK, but if you want peace of mind, drain a sample and send it to a lab for analysis.

John



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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; Speedliner spray in bed-liner; Amsoil air filter; Smittybuilt step rails; Geno's Manual transmission filter kit; Geno's EZ Drain oil pan plug; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges on a twin A pillar mount. Towing a 31 ft. NOMAD single slideout TT.
Rammin' and Runnin', but not stepping on the rails

 

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Thanks to everyone that responded to my concerns about the metal particles. I might add that I also received an email from Roy Rothlisberger at Mag-Hytec. Roy said that the dipstick was actually designed to be a magnetic filter and it would take 5000 to 10000 miles to get all the old metal out of the differential case after changing to a Mag-Hytec cover. One more good reason to install a Mag-Hytec and clean up your rear axle for longer life.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10's, Automatic, TST 230/605, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans temp gauges. Optima Red Top batteries All black. 5th wheel hitch and camper tie downs. Tow 13k #'s 33. 5' HitchHiker fiver and also use 9. 5' Lance Camper (not at the same time of course)

 

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Dieselnerd,

Next time you change oil, drain the axels. Pull the drain plug & after all the oil drains out, put your floor jack under the drivers side shock mount @ the axel & jack the tire up off the ground, way up. A bunch more drains out. Then do the same to the other side. I was surprised how much lays in the bottoms of the axel tubes.

Merry Xmas.