Dana 60 axle play

[Trucksareforwork]

I was able to get the tie rod installed but realized i had boogered the threads on the steering damper stud when disassembling the old one. So I need to get a new stud.

The bushings look old but centered until I get to the rear driver side, which is way off center. So I’m going to add that to my project list.

I did start it up and let the drivetrain roll in 1st gear on the stands just to move everything. I have a leak in the back of the power steering pump that I need to address but everything turns.

Pics of bushings.

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This one is the off center one:

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[edgephoto]

That bushing is toast. You won't get a good alignment until you get a good bushing in there.

My 1987 steering wondered when driving. The right upper shackle bushing were it goes through the frame was all but gone. I can't wait to drive it now.

 

[nvrenuf]

Don’t forget to check the bushings at the top of the shackle too.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Those bushings are junk. I swap all my front spring rear hangers to the ORD hd's. You can get a full kit with the hangers and bushings.

 

[edgephoto]

If your springs are old, I would replace them. They are not very expensive. Just make sure you get the right shackles for the rear of them.

I replaced the springs on my 1987 V3500 and had trouble getting the correct shackles. Many places listed ones that are too small. The spring shop where I bought the springs had them on backorder.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Oh the springs are old. I’m going to get it driving and then may do upgrades there. It’s a farm truck that I have a vision for eventually but right now want it to just run and drive because it’s in the way.

EDIT: I'm going to do the front springs. Spent some time looking closely and I'm thinking they are saggy already. I'll use the truck offroad quite a bit and the more I look at this thing, the more I realize I'll be happier if I just buy once cry once.

 

[edgephoto]

Oh the springs are old. I’m going to get it driving and then may do upgrades there. It’s a farm truck that I have a vision for eventually but right now want it to just run and drive because it’s in the way.

EDIT: I'm going to do the front springs. Spent some time looking closely and I'm thinking they are saggy already. I'll use the truck offroad quite a bit and the more I look at this thing, the more I realize I'll be happier if I just buy once cry once.

Smart move. I am not sure you can do the spring eye bushing in place without a ton of difficulty. So removing the springs only to replace them later seems like a huge waste of effort.

Sometimes you just have to do things right.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Sometimes you just have to do things right.

Yeah, that's what I started to think. That's also what leads me to pour a few thousand bucks into a truck that I was just gonna freshen up.

 

[edgephoto]

Yeah, that's what I started to think. That's also what leads me to pour a few thousand bucks into a truck that I was just gonna freshen up.

I know the feeling. My restoration started out as "I want to fix the old truck up so I can use it around the new house. Dump runs, Home Cheapo runs, etc." Well it turned into a full blown restoration costing more than a new truck. Now I need to find a beater. My wife is going to kill me.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Still haven’t done the springs, but did put the wheels on and take a short drive around the neighborhood. The brake, axle, and hydro boost work seems to be great.

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A long way to go but figured I’d post about the first drive since all the axle work. (I do have a bed to put on).

 

[Trucksareforwork]

On springs: I got one side done over the past weekend, new shackles, bushings, springs and u bolts. I got a kick out of how the side I fixed sat a full 2 inches higher than the side with the old spring still on. I think the springs were a little tired.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Got the driver side spring in. Good news! The driver side still sits lower. The Chevy lean continues.

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[Trucksareforwork]

Had on my front end checklist to “torque pitman arm.” Torque setting from the interwebs? 180 ftlbs.

Sheared off my nut threads.

Pitman arm still intact.

This is why I can’t have nice things.

 

[nvrenuf]

@Trucksareforwork you killed the pinch bolt on the pitman arm? If so, grab a grade 8 bolt and lock nut from a hardware store and Google the torque based on bolt diameter. I usually just run it down with my air gun a few ugga duggas.

I’d bet the 180 ftlbs is for a 2wd pitman arm.

 

[Trucksareforwork]

Yeah. I think I’m lucky. I sheared the threads off the nut. Bolt looks good. I just ran a thread chaser over it.

And yes, I’m sure I screwed up on torque spec. 2wd nut is the retainer for the arm. 4wd the bolt cross locks the arm in via a groove in the steering box output shaft. I’ll just lock tite it and run it to 80-90.