Wheel bearing exploded!

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88SUB

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So few months back I replaced my rear (Dana60) seals and bearings.
While driving for less than 50 miles I'd say, I heard a noise and saw smoke and smelled it.
At first I thought it was my shoes and had truck towed because it was sounding pretty rough.

Last weekend was able to look into it and saw fluid leaking again like last time. So knew my seal somehow went bad again. After removing axle, I removed seal and saw my bearing.... in pieces!
I had warranty but had to take my bearing to them in a baggie. You couldn't even tell it was once a bearing.

What would cause a bearing to explode like that. The one I replaced on other side is fine.

And am I replacing the seal and bearing correctly?
I remove axle shaft and everything should come off except the race,...right? Then use bearing press to remove bearing off axle shaft then use press to replace new bearing. Is this correct? Then just slide axle shaft back in?
I'm also assuming should maybe lube up the bearing with axle grease before sliding it in.

All videos I find, removing axle shaft is different than mine. Bearing and seal are still in axle and not on shaft when removing.
 

73c20jim

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What is fluid level after BANG!
 

88SUB

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After taking off cover (did so just in case pieces got into differential) I'd say most fluid was in there
 

73c20jim

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Most may not be enough to lube bearing.
 

88SUB

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I don't see how. After installing new bearings and seals, I filled up as should be.
I drove about 20 miles maybe and all was good. Then drove about another 5 (was getting new tires installed) and that's when it happened.
Maybe seal went bad and leaked out more than I thought? But if it's that 'dry' then why didn't the other one go bad?
 

73c20jim

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good question. I don't have the answers. Sorry.
 

John Lenahan

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Everything was seated properly? i'm not an expert on dana 60 rear axles but i've done plenty of bearing replacements and caught myself from time to time not seating the bearing/races in all the way and it causes a bind.

I don't know of a way that you can check bearing Pre-load since i've personally never worked on a D60 rear before, but if you have too much pre-load it'll bind up after a few minutes of driving when the bearings heat up

Other than that i can't think of anything else off the top of my head other than lack of lubrication or faulty parts
 

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Maybe the old bearing had damaged the race.
 

88SUB

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Okay I'm running into major issues here I need to know if I really have a Dana 60 I know I do but I got somebody telling me I got a Dana 44 which makes no sense because the stamp on my rear end says 60.

My other question is am I getting the right bearings for this thing The Originals that came with this vehicle when I bought it were Timken U360L and I replaced with National BCA A10 with Master Pro MPS 9912 seals (box says PT 9912)

Now when I replaced these bearings recently obviously the one exploded that's what the start is about so I replaced it everything seems good it's nice and tight I went to check the other wheel just to make sure everything was good and noticed that I could tug on it a little bit and I'd say it's probably got about a 32nds worth of play and I know it shouldn't have that.
 

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"What would cause a bearing to explode like that"

cheap Chinese bearing. replace with a Timken with the same number that came out. of course if you have oblonged the axle nothing is going to fix it. highdesertranger
 

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Did you install the axle with a dry bearing.no grease.was the bearings american made or China crap.

Did you have axle checked for a bend.
 

CSFJ

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"What would cause a bearing to explode like that"

cheap Chinese bearing. replace with a Timken with the same number that came out. of course if you have oblonged the axle nothing is going to fix it. highdesertranger
Sadly, I've seen Timken bearings with the made in china stamp. I'm not sure we have any bearing manufactures left in the states.
 

highdesertrange

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interesting, when I recently rebuilt my 14 bolt all the Timken bearings said made in USA right on them. highdesertranger
 

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interesting, when I recently rebuilt my 14 bolt all the Timken bearings said made in USA right on them. highdesertranger
Maybe the roller bearings still are. Hopefully they still are. The ones I had were a sealed unit that press fit into the front knuckles of my Saturn.
 
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88SUB

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OK!
So I found the Timken bearings and seals. Installed and the only thing I need now is the torque for the 4 bolts that hold the axle shaft in.

I did find out what Dana 60 I have. I called West Coast Differential and they had my BOM number that for whatever reason, isn't showing up on any data sheets online.
I was told I have a '73-'75 International Dana 60 from either a 1000 or 1100 Pick-up Travelall

So what I need now, and the guy on the phone couldn't tell me, is the torque for those 4 bolts that hold my axle shaft in.
Does anyone know???
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