Competition Dana 80 backlash and preload ??

[GOT-Torque]

Anyone know what the preload specs are for a Dana 80 rearend?



I'm using 0. 015" for preload... sound about right?



Also, according to the following link, backlash should be between 0. 005" and 0. 009". Am I correct that the less backlash I end up with mean less slop in the driveline? So the smaller the better (but within limits)?



Dodge Ram Dana 80 Axle Specifications



Thanks...



BTW, I purchased a Yukon differential side bearing puller and the extra clamshells for a dana 80 rear end (all from Randy's Ring and Pinion) and it works amazingly well.

 

[BILLVO]

I personally like to see between . 008-. 012 I think . 005 is a bit tight and . 015 is a tad loose. .

 

[GOT-Torque]

I thought the dodge spec was alittle tight compared to others. The 0. 015" preload I was referring to isn't the backlash, it is the total amount of shims I add to the carrier bearings to preload them. Essentially, making the carrier and bearings 0. 015" larger than the housing so as to squeeze the bearings (I suppose to prevent spinning a bearing race?



Thanks

 

[Diesel Darryl]

. 015" is good, I also loctite (green) the bearing on the diff. housing, it keeps the bearing from spinning on the diff. housing.

Darryl Poole

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I would like to see around . 007-. 009” backlash to leave enough room for the lube between the gear teeth but not so much backlash that the unit is noisy. The factory went to . 003” preload in the 1990s but you ended up with none or even a loose carrier after break in. I like to put . 005-. 010” backlash on the carrier when reassembling it.

 

[BILLVO]

As diesel daryl said. Use green loctite between the carrier races and the housing to help hold them as this is the worst area for wear as the races like to spin in the housing and cause other problems.

 

[GOT-Torque]

Thanks for all the info, I ended up with around 0. 008" backlash and 0. 012" preload. I used some locktight on the bearing race as well as filed a tab bit off the bottom of the cap. It's been working great, no noise at all. The ARB didn't want to actuate at first until the insides got lubricated with oil for a day. Thought I was gonna have to pull it out again... Now it's working great.

 

[Red Stroke]

Good glad its working, I usually shoot for . 008 to . 015" . 012" preferred backlash, with a rolling torque on the pinion with no seal of 20 in/lbs, and a preload as tight as I can get, to get it in the housing without a case spreader.