Dana 50 wheel bearing replacement, how in-depth should I get

[IDIBRONCO]

Ya can't beat using some blubber from a baby seal, but I don't believe it is clubbing season yet.....I kid...I kid....

Oh stop that! My woman needs a new coat. Club away!

 

[HS108]

It's hard to get too much grease in there. I recently replaced all the wheel bearings and races on my D60 and I gooped a lot of grease on the spindles, bearings, and inside of the hubs. But you didn't ask the conversation starter of "What kind of grease?" I'm sure everyone has their personal favorite. I went with Paragon 3000 but the previous 70k had cheap Mastercraft grease from O'Reilly.

I went down the wormhole of trying to find the best grease actually, and lost a few days time trying to decide actually.

I made the mistake of searching best wheel bearing grease, and i quickly discovered there are Many options and opinions, before that search I just thought grease was grease, but I was quickly educated!!! lol

Grease brands are like beer or sports team, everyone got their personal preference.

Some people like one grease because that’s what they grew up using, and others just stick with one they had good luck with.

I went with the Lucas red and tacky, because
A) Quality brand name
B) Says right in the tube it’s NLGI rated for wheel bearings
C) let’s be honest, the truck don’t give a shyt lol

 

[MtnHaul]

Yeah I too went deep into reading about NLGI #2 grease and their various characteristics, Timken load tests, washout, etc. I was sold on Texas Refinery Products for whatever reason, probably because i'm drawn to whatever is a bit less common or an underdog in the fight.

 

[HS108]

Yeah I too went deep into reading about NLGI #2 grease and their various characteristics, Timken load tests, washout, etc. I was sold on Texas Refinery Products for whatever reason, probably because i'm drawn to whatever is a bit less common or an underdog in the fight.

Oh man, now I’m interested, I’m from Texas myself

EDIT: Good lawrd, good thing it’s got gold flakes in it because they charge $$ like it is!!! I’ll stick to 9 bucks a tube vs 25 lol

 

[MtnHaul]

Well no gold flakes in the Paragon 3000 that I use, and 1 tube sure lasts a long time. $20 a tube for Paragon 3000 or $18 for TRC 880 Crown & Chassis at Lock 'n' Lube.
Personally I avoid Lucas due to their snake-oil type products like their "Oil Stabilizer", but I hear their regular grease and gear oil products are fine.

 

[HS108]

I HATE YOU!!!

I just ordered a 3pk on Amazon, it will be here tomorrow lol

I’m hoping it looks like this?? I want that gold flake look lol nothing but the best for my truck!!

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[MtnHaul]

Well maybe mine does have the gold flakes. I guess I just never noticed--plus my vision isn't perfect and I avoid wearing my contacts when I know I'll get good and greasy.

 

[HS108]

Little set back lol … Drivers side axle seal broke

I also think I need to pull the front diff, I’m pretty sure it’s leaking, got a pile of gunk all caked on the rock guard, and I’ve seen drips that smell like gear oil.

I can put my pinky in the fill hole and not feel oil, so it had to go somewhere….

So I guess the answer to how in depth do I go, is all the way!!! Lol

 

[Nero]

Full send. Love to hate it, but peace of mind sure is nice. Great thing about pulling the diff is, if you dont replace any of the diff bearings you don't have to worry about resetting lash and all that.

 

[HS108]

Full send. Love to hate it, but peace of mind sure is nice. Great thing about pulling the diff is, if you dont replace any of the diff bearings you don't have to worry about resetting lash and all that.

Right its the only saving grace actually, Gonna do both seals while its out as well, shouldnt be a horrible job... I hope

Still struggling to find the torque specs on the dana 50 ball joints. I see the f350 dana 60 ones everywhere, but conflicting info on d50

 

[DougBoy66]

struggling to find the torque specs on the dana 50 ball joints.

I have the service manual for the 50 in the shop. I will send some pics in a little while with torque specs

 

[DougBoy66]

Here ya go

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[Nero]

I did the diff seals on my d60 king pin, pretty sure the diff chunks are same or similar. But the axle shaft seals are the same way. Press from the inside out. Reused my bearings/shims, play was still the same.

 

[HS108]

Major progress today

Rotors are mounted on hubs, just need to pack the bearings and install the seals.

The carrier was removed, new seals on both sides, and reinstalled… what a pain!!! I didn’t replace the u joint because it was solid, and honestly I’m over it lol

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[Nero]

Ive only ever rebuilt one Dana 50, they're heavy. Glad she's gettin done right.