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Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
hello LD, I seem to be on a run of bad luck. I just put new tires on my LD ,and was soon to discover that the bearings went bad …and that affected my axle and everything under my 03. If anyone has replaced their Dana 70 Complete with a spindle, with 4.56 gears and open differential, Please tell me where you got the parts! I am currently stuck with trying to find what I need and if I can’t, it looks like my LD will be parted out because it is so expensive to fix it😢 Lynn
2003 Rear Bath
Re: Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
Reply #1 –
Our 2003 LD spun a pinion bearing about five years ago. I bought new gears and a complete bearing installation kit from Rock Auto. Parts are available from several other dealers.
2003 FORD E-450 6.8L V10 Drivetrain Parts | RockAuto

Your D70-HD axle is rebuildable, Look for a heavy-duty truck shop to get recommendations on where to find a local axle shop, it’s best to find a shop that does nothing else, Gear setting is as much an art as science, it takes experienced eyes to get it right quickly.  It took me a lot longer to get an acceptable gear pattern (look for the yellow paste in the following photos). It’s not a project I want to do at home again, the parts are very heavy.. 45,000 miles later, it still runs fine,
Axle rebuild-D70 HD | Flickr

You may need to have the axle removed and sent out for rebuilding, not cheap but better than scrapping your LD, assuming the rest of the MH is in decent shape.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
Reply #2 –
Rebuilt rear axle assemblies are available from various vendors. Almost any axle can be rebuilt to new condition. Even if
your axle isn’t mentioned, it can be rebuilt,

https://www.zumbrotadrivetrain.com/shop/reman-axle-assemblies/
Remanufactured DANA 70HD Differential | Weller Truck
Find a quality used Rear Axle from rebuiltrearaxles.com
Rebuilt and Remanufactured Differentials & Rear Ends Rebuilt Dana Differentials - New & Used Models Available 877-776-4600
https://www.uspowertrain.com/product/remanufactured-axle-assembly-dana-70-373-ratio-anti-spin-differentia-single-rear-wheelsl
https://www.nationaldifferential.com

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
Reply #3 –
Can you share more about the advice you were given and who gave it to you?   Are you looking for a shop to install a rebuild, or planning to tackle it yourself?  

There are TONS of similar axle vehicles on the road in the US and I would be surprised if parts are that hard to find, as the links LarryW has posted suggest.

Perhaps it's a matter of finding the right shop/people, perhaps someone who is more familiar with the chassis?

I'm also curious about the idea that your LD might be parted out.    Based on recent sales prices for similar year coaches, there is value there even with a broken axle.   My guess is that it still makes economic sense to either fix the axle, or sell it to someone who will fix it.   I'd be cautious about advice to the contrary, unless the rest of the coach is in worse than average condition for the age.  

For what it's worth - I can see that you've had a string of issues with your coach but I can say that except for the axle, they seem don't seem worse than expected to me on a 2003 (I also own a 2003).  

I mean that in an encouraging way.    I imagine it can be overwhelming to see issue after issue, but it all can be handled and periodic issues are part of owning a 20 year old RV.   

Rich


2003 MB
Re: Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
Reply #4 –
Quote
45,000 miles later, it still runs fine,

We stumble around shade trees are jealous of your skill set. Great job, Larry!!!
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
 
Re: Dana70 complete- bearings went bad and worse
Reply #5 –
Quote from: jor  - 
We stumble around shade trees are jealous of your skill set. Great job, Larry!!!
jor

Let’s say the learning curve was steep on the first few axles, several Jeep axles were the first victims. Getting the correct gear mesh can take several tries, pressing the setup bearings on and off to change shims until an acceptable pattern appears.
https://assets.wellertruck.com/reference-materials/maintenance-manuals/RING-PINION%20PATTERNING.pdf

The D70 is a beast to deal with, the ring gear and carrier alone weigh 60-70 pounds, fun to deal with when the rig is only three feet off the ground. It was interesting to do once, if there is ever a next time, a shop-rebuilt axle will be used.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze