How much different is it to do a gear swap in a Dana 60 vs a GM 12 bolt? Any other special tools needed for the Dana that would not be necessary with the 12-bolt?

How much different is it to do a gear swap in a Dana 60 vs a GM 12 bolt? Any other special tools needed for the Dana that would not be necessary with the 12-bolt?

Housing spreader, fits in those round holes on the bask of the housing. This should draw mixed responses, but they make the tool and it must have a purpose.:thumbsup::thumbsup:





http://i18.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/81/77/aa50_2.JPG

Thanks Wally. I guess that is necessary to install the carrier side shims??

The shims on the 12 bolt go on the outside of the differential bearings. The shims on the Dana 60 go behind the differential bearings, which means that you press the bearings off each time you change the shims. This makes it harder to get the differential in the housing becasue you can't put the differential in and then tap the shims in. It all has to go in at the same time. That is why the housing spreader is needed. You have to be carefull with this tool becasue you can spring the housing and ruin it if you spread it too much.

The pinion shims go behind the race instead of the bearing. You have to drive the race out of the housing to change the pinion depth.

Uck,...this sounds like a PITA!