Removing the axels from a strange Dana 60

[bcharger]

I purchased a Strange Dana 60 and am going to swap it out with my current (8 3/4). I have to take the brake componets off the 8 3/4 and will have to pull the axels on both rears for the swap. How do they come out? I know there are nuts holding them to the housing. Is there anything else I have to do to get them out? I am hoping not to have to open the cover. Brian

[TylerCharger69]

I have a question.....if you are swapping out rear ends.....why do you need to remove the drive axles? Is there a reason  why you can't just drop out the old complete setup  and bolt up the Dana 60 in it's entirety?  other than the brake lines and components of course.......   Or....am I missing something in this equation?...  On my 69....I dropped the 8 3/4 rear end  (489 case)  in it's entirety  and bolted in a Ford  limited slip in it's place.   I did have to relocate my spring perches, of course and I used the Ford driveshaft (with dampener) and had a driveshaft place incorporate the front yoke of the 727.   I  didn't have to remove the axles though....and I had to use the Ford braking system of course, which was fine  because the wheels are the same bolt pattern.

[phat69charger]

His Dana 60 might not have brakes at all!

[TylerCharger69]

i understand this possibility....but   why  do the axles need to be removed??

[phat69charger]

The backing plates that the brakes bolt to won't come off unless you take the axles out first.

[phat69charger]

http://cache1.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PDFs/Dana%2060%20Manual%20(Rea%20Axle).PDF

[TylerCharger69]

LOL...i understand that too.....I asked...instead of removing the axles to remove backing plates....why not just used the whole assembly....backing plates, axles, housing...the whole nine yards as one unit...meaning, unbolt the leaf springs on the old (and brake lines, etc)  and install the replacement complete unit with everything attached?   Unless there is something missing from one of these units  that wasn't mentioned before of course

[doctorpimp]

LOL...i understand that too.....I asked...instead of removing the axles to remove backing plates....why not just used the whole assembly....backing plates, axles, housing...the whole nine yards as one unit...meaning, unbolt the leaf springs on the old (and brake lines, etc)  and install the replacement complete unit with everything attached?   Unless there is something missing from one of these units  that wasn't mentioned before of course

A new Strange S60 doesn't come with brakes or springs etc.  Just the rear with purches.  He needs to cross everything over, before he can just bolt it in.
You're thinking of a junk yard find

[TylerCharger69]

OK!!!!  Now  there's some sense to this!!!   In that case...the diagram that someone posted in this topic has all the info.    I wrongly assumed that the swap was a used unit!!!

[is_it_EVER_done?]

they come out the same as the 8-3/4 axles, however they don't come out quite as easily (at least mine didn't) since they use Green bearings. I had to use a couple of feet of chain bolted to a couple of axle studs (old stock lug nuts bolted on backwards), so I could jerk on the axles till they popped out.