Dana or American Axle

[Texas Diesel]

I heard a rumor that DC was switching to American Axle because of problems with Dana. Is there any solid information regarding this?? Personally I think my Dana 80 (hybrid) is very strong except for the limited slip. In fact, the only complaint

I have is that I wish my limited slip clutches had coil springs for preload instead of bellville (SP?) washers. AND that they would put a drain plug in the bottom.

 

[DGFoster]

I dont know the answer to that but,frankly I wouldnt buy a truck without a Dana in it.

 

[kcjayco]

I think it is possible that Dodge will have American axles. It is my understanding that Dana would not negotiate on cost. Paccar is offering Arvin Meritor as standard drivetrain this year for the same reason. You can stil get Dana-Eaton if requested, but it will cost more to do so. I checked out American Axle's web site. It looks like they have a good line and more ratios available than Dana. Here is the web site.





http://www.aam.com/technology/tech_prod_dl_rearaxle.html[/URL]

 

[pcorssmit]

Originally posted by Dodgeboyz

I dont know the answer to that but,frankly I wouldnt buy a truck without a Dana in it.

Judging by your sig, it looks like you already did.



Pete

 

[DGFoster]

You mean the Ford?

Yeah forgot about that one

You got me on that one

 

[pcorssmit]

Yup, not a Ford guy but I'm thinkin' you got an 8. 8 under it.



I could be wrong here, but isn't American Axle essentially the the same group that builds the 14 bolt corporate axles for GM?



Pete

 

[joesoot]

AAM builds the new Corp. 11. 5" which sits under the Chivvy HD.

 

[DGFoster]

My point exactly,anything with Chevy has to be bad news

 

[FATCAT]

From AAM's "New Release" section

"DETROIT, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, today announced that it has been selected as the supplier of front and rear driveshafts for the all-new, heavy duty Dodge Ram full-size pick-up truck program. This will be AAM's first opportunity to produce driveshafts for the Chrysler Group.

This program, when combined with the previous announcement that AAM was selected as the supplier of front and rear axles for this Dodge Ram program, gives AAM additional driveline system content for the vehicle. "





Seems like they will be making both front and rear axles for the new trucks plus the "... heavy duty Dodge Ram full-size... ", could this be the 4500/5500 trucks?

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

The reason they switched to American Axle from Dana had nothing to do with our trucks. It was because of the Cherokee. When they came out with the new model they quieted it down so much that there were complaints of a whine from the rear end (it had always been there, just couldn't be heard before). Dana wouldn't do anything to fix it so they ticked off D-C. Another part of it as I understand it was that Dana wouldn't change their CAD system over to be compatible with the one D-C is using. The Dana 80 and 60 were one of the reasons I bought my truck as well.

 

[1tuffram]

maybe if someone here has posting prevledges on the chevy site, they could ask if there has been any problems with the American Axle made axles being used on the chevy/GMC trucks. Might help shead some light on how these new axles compare to the Dana's.

 

[MUDDY]

american axle makes the 14 bolt which is comparible to the dana 70. the 14 bolt has a good reputation. im sure the 11. 5 would be comparable beef to our dana 80s. im curious of what the front will be like if american builds it. lets hope it is the beef of the 60 or better.

 

[klenger]

Any ideas what ratios will be available in 2003?

 

[TSielski]

Muddymess is right. From what I've read, the GM corporate 14 bolt rear axle is a bit stronger than the normal duty Dana 70. It approaches the strength of the 70-HD (used on pre-94 DRW Dodges). The 14 bolt, I believe, has thicker axle shafts (1. 5") than the Dana 70. Haven't done a comparison in axle tube thickness though. Have heard that parts for the 14 bolt are quite expensive in comparison to parts for Spicer axles.

One could assume that the new rear axle under the new HD GM pickups ups the ante from the 14 bolt. Other than the larger (11. 5") ring gear and beefy looking center section, it also could be that the axle tubes and shafts are the same as on the 14 bolt.

Until someone (or a magazine) pulls one apart and reveals those dimensions, that will remain unknown. It's a sure bet though, that parts prices will be high and availability not nearly as good as for Dana axles.

 

[boonsur]

I can confirm

I have a good friend at AA (engineer), who is starting the new overseas plant to make axles for Dodge, including Rams.



As Steve StL. mentioned, it is because of the problems Jeep has had with Dana, that DC is pulling this business from Dana. It sounds like Dana isn't too concerned, they just got a big contract with one of the other two. (I can't remember details, it was last summer when we were talking about it).



I maintain hope that DC is taking a positive step, and not falling backwards.

 

[kcjayco]

Dana and Eaton are the same company. As I said before they would non negoiate a cost reduction with Paccar (Kenworth-Peterbuilt) so Arvin Meritor will supply the standard drivetrain. Cummins by the way will be the standard supplier of the engines for Paccar. You can still get Dana-Eaton if you order it that way. And Caterpillar is available also. Not Detroit however. The AA looks like a formible axle to me.

 

[Speedo]

Dana-Eaton

Dana bought Eaton's worldwide axle business in 1998 but Eaton

is a much larger and diversified company than just an axle company. While Dana does indeed own Eaton axle that doesn't mean that a (Dana) Spicer axle and an (Dana) Eaton axle are the

same thing, they are not. And for those who don't recognize the

Meritor name that's the new name for the automotive branch of

Rockwell.

Eaton is still alive and well in spite of the fact that they sold their

axle division to Dana Corp.

I personally like the Dana/Spicer axles we have in our trucks but

for those who work on them they have one of the most difficult

ring and pinion arrangements to set up of any axle, but they have earned a reputation for strength and reliability

 

[pcorssmit]

Re: Dana-Eaton

Originally posted by Speedo

I personally like the Dana/Spicer axles we have in our trucks but for those who work on them they have one of the most difficult ring and pinion arrangements to set up of any axle, but they have earned a reputation for strength and reliability

This is quite true. Setting the backlash on a Dana axle requires shims behind the pressed on bearings, basically a tedious trial and error deal. A corporate 14 bolt GM has adjuster nuts on the sides that make setup a breeze.



Pete

 

[CGoyette]

AXL is the new top dog

I have 4000 shares of axl and I love the idea of dodge puting amm axles in our trucks!