Dana 35 Cross Pin Play?

[Donster]

After replacing my spider gears and cross pin my Dana 35, I noticed some up and down play with the cross pin. Not too much, but it is visually apparent. Maybe 1/8" of travel? No side to side play though.

I haven't seen much discussion about this online or on these forums, but some people are saying this means I'll need to do a carrier replacement. Wondering if anybody has encountered this? Is this within tolerance, or maybe the passage in the carrier has become worn with time and is allowing the pin/cross pin to travel?

If that's the case, wondering if there are some backyard fixes here... Maybe drill out and size up the screw that goes into the cross pin? Thanks ya'll!

 

[BlueC]

Do you have pictures or video? You do have it retained with the bolt, right? I remember some movement in the stock carrier/pin, but I don't remember much.

 

[Donster]

Do you have pictures or video? You do have it retained with the bolt, right? I remember some movement in the stock carrier/pin, but I don't remember much.

Hey! Retaining bolt is on there and snug, but there is still play. I didn't take a video, but mine looks like this (obviously mine's a Dana, but similar thing happening... mine probably travels a bit more though)


View: %5BURL%5Dhttps://www.facebook.com/reel/1166200324167888[/URL]

 

[BlueC]

Hey! Retaining bolt is on there and snug, but there is still play. I didn't take a video, but mine looks like this (obviously mine's a Dana, but similar thing happening... mine probably travels a bit more though)


View: %5BURL%5Dhttps://www.facebook.com/reel/1166200324167888[/URL]

I can't see it.

If the retainer is in place and it moves around, I'd pull it and examine why. I once cracked my factory 35 carrier, and that allowed the cross pin to move around. After some time that movement wore things out and sheared the retainer, which allowed the cross pin to fall out and lock up the differential.

 

[Donster]

I can't see it.

View attachment 691326

If the retainer is in place and it moves around, I'd pull it and examine why. I once cracked my factory 35 carrier, and that allowed the cross pin to move around. After some time that movement wore thins out and sheared the retainer, which allowed the cross pin to fall out and lock up the differential.

Weird link, hm. Anyways, it's basically what I described. I'm thinking it's gotta be a worn carrier like you're saying. What did you do when you cracked your carrier? Did you swap for a new carrier or go with a full axle swap? I've been eyeing the Super 35 Kit... maybe it's time to start saving!

 

[BlueC]

Weird link, hm

I run blockers, and Fbook is on my no-go list.

I'm thinking it's gotta be a worn carrier like you're saying.

If it is, you're on borrowed time. My cross pin fell out as I was parking one night, and I just got lucky it was in front of my garage door.

What did you do when you cracked your carrier? Did you swap for a new carrier or go with a full axle swap? I've been eyeing the Super 35 Kit... maybe it's time to start saving!

I cracked my carrier and grenaded my spider gears hot roddin' (I did a few burnouts and she went pop). New gears in and I babied the cracked carrier for a little while until the pin fell out, then I went Super35 with an e-locker.

 

[machoheadgames]

I don't see anything wrong in that video. If the pin is retained, it's retained. A tiny bit of vertical play isn't going to do anything as the pin is still staying in the carrier and holding the axles apart and the c-clips in their pockets.

If anything, it would be the cross pin or the retaining pin bolt that are worn. The carrier being worn would allow side to side slop rather than vertical travel in the bore.

 

[Donster]

I don't see anything wrong in that video. If the pin is retained, it's retained. A tiny bit of vertical play isn't going to do anything as the pin is still staying in the carrier and holding the axles apart and the c-clips in their pockets.

If anything, it would be the cross pin or the retaining pin bolt that are worn. The carrier being worn would allow side to side slop rather than vertical travel in the bore.

Thanks for the input! Both the bolt and cross pin are brand new. I can't help but wonder if the retaining bolt is getting some shearing forces on it from all the upd and down play on the cross pin. If that continues, I just worry the bolt snaps and I lose the cross pin and have an unsafe moment on the road, ya feel? Anyway, thanks again for your take.

 

[Zorba]

I run blockers, and Fbook is on my no-go list.

And I thought I was the only one. Good on you!

 

[machoheadgames]

Thanks for the input! Both the bolt and cross pin are brand new. I can't help but wonder if the retaining bolt is getting some shearing forces on it from all the upd and down play on the cross pin. If that continues, I just worry the bolt snaps and I lose the cross pin and have an unsafe moment on the road, ya feel? Anyway, thanks again for your take.

I don’t think it will ever be a problem. The bolt fitment isn’t tight into the cross pin. Even if it was going to be a problem, the carrier has nothing to do with it because the cross pin is solid in the carrier with no slop. I’d send it.

I’d be happy to check mine for you if it wasn’t all buttoned up and I don’t think I have any carriers on the shelf anymore.