'85 F250, F350 same frame?

[jaluhn83]

Please expand on this, I am confused. The D70 and the Sterling both came in 8 on 6.5" bolt pattern in our vintage truck. I am guessing that you are linking a Sterling rear to the Superduty era with the metric pattern?

No, I thought drums and typed rims......

Don't think the bearings and load cap are really much different. In the SRW at least it isn't.....

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Going to disagree with this - Given a choice, I would pick the Sterling for the rims, but that doesn't mean a D70 is a bad choice. How often do you have to pull the drums off? I've had to pull one side on my rig in the past 50k+ miles (stuck parking brake lever) so it's not that big of a deal to me. Pulling the hub is a pain in the rear, yes, but then you also get to check the bearings and seals while you're in there. Point is, if you have a D70 there's no reason not to use it. Not sure about the dually axle, but some of the SRW D70 axles also have a real nice rounded pumpkin that would likely be less likely to get hung up on rocks if you do any serious off roading.

Only real absolute deciding factor I know of is if you have a 10.25 truck that uses the rear speed sensor.... then you're stuck with a 10.25.

every year my drums come off.... for inspection. if they need to pull a hub to measure rear brakes and drums, there another hr+ of labor and new seals....

 

[Dieselcrawler]

Bigger wheel bearings, more load capacity, will take more power as well ( has a nose bearing on the pinion like a corperate diff ) ... just to name a few good reasons of sterling VS DANA 70's

You must be registered for see images attach

wheres this third pinion bearing?

sterling has 10.25 inch ring gear, larger carrier bearings, 35 spline shafts that are 1.5 inch thick, thicker axle tubes
d70 has 10.5 inch ring gear, 1.5 inch shafts with 32 spline

 

[4x4manonbroke]

Ahh, I was under the impression they too had a pinion nose bearing .. I stand corrected

 

[Kistthesky]

Excellent info, thanks everyone, yet again!

 

[jaluhn83]

Anyone ever had a strength problem with an axle? Either D70 or 10.25? My feeling is that aside from lack of oil and mechanical issues like the loose pinion nut on the 10.25 both axles are pretty much bulletproof for this use.