Dynatrac down for the second time...

SierraHawk · 03-31-2012, 02:40 PM

Two years ago the left outer bearing in the Dynatrac Dana 60 hub disintegrated. The only thing that held the hub on were the brake calipers. I had it repaired at Enks in Pahrump, NV. Since I had few options it cost $2000 to fix (add the spindle and a new ABS sensor).

Last week I had a spark plug blow out. Took the SMB to Ford service in Tucson. Asked them to rebuild the brakes while it was in the shop. What the mechanic found was that the hub/bearing retaining nut had started to loosen. Seems that the lock plate for the nut was either not put on correctly or it is not strong enough for our vans.

Anyone else having problems with Dynatrac spindles and bearings?

SheepShagger · 04-16-2012, 11:24 PM

Sounds like you have a semi floating rear axle. There have been a few failures documented here. Most upgrade to full floating rear axle. Cheaper than your last repair if you go used

Tapatio · 04-17-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Sounds like you have a semi floating rear axle.

The Dynatrac rear axle option that SMB sells is a full floater. He must be talking about the front axle.

SierraHawk · 04-17-2012, 08:27 AM

Yes...the post is about the front Dynatrac diff.

**BroncoHauler** · 04-17-2012, 09:31 AM

What hubs do you have, Warn or Dynatrac?

If Dynatrac, have you read this thread?
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7929&hilit=dynatrac+hub

Herb

SierraHawk · 05-06-2012, 11:16 AM

Hi Herb, The hubs are Warn. The hub/disk retaining nuts (large "jam" nuts that screw onto the spindle) have a flat plate lock with tabs. They are designed to be bent up against the crowns of the nut. The assembly is behind the Warn "locking hub" that we all use to engage the front wheels. It looks like the tabs were either not bent correctly or that the plate is too soft to hold under the stresses we put our rigs through. My concern is that this has happened twice. In the past 8 years approximately 10 different mechanics have worked on the front hubs (original installation/brake rebuilds/first time the outer bearings disintegrated/repacking/etc). Not sure what to make of this. Primarily wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar problem.

Michael

UJOINT · 05-06-2012, 06:10 PM

Try some Stage 8 spindle locks. They're great.

http://www.stage8.com/offroad.html

Ford_6L_E350 · 05-06-2012, 07:12 PM

I would believe someone neglected to bend the locking tabs up. It is quite difficult to flatten those by rotating the nut. And, simply vibration induced rotation won't do it.

Mike

BajaSportsmobile · 05-06-2012, 07:36 PM

The Stage 8 spindle locks are really great, but cost quite a lot. I use and recommend the FORD style where the inner nut has a pin protruding out of it and the lock washer has holes that can be aligned with the pin at various rotations and then another nut that locks it all down. I've never had a problem with them.

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-139...e-nut-kit.html

**BroncoHauler** · 05-06-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UJOINT

Try some Stage 8 spindle locks. They're great.

http://www.stage8.com/offroad.html

I got to be quite good, and quite fast, at replacing header gaskets on my Bronco, before I got the Stage 8 locking header bolts. Haven't had to replace a head gasket since. WELL worth the money to me.

Herb