Dana Model 80 (11 Inch Ring Gear) (Rear Axle)

The Dana 11 inch ring gear rear axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set to transmit the driving force of the engine to the rear wheels. The gear set transfers the driving force at a 90° angle from the propeller shaft to the axle shafts.

This axle is full-floating. The axle shafts are supported at the wheel ends by the wheel hubs. The shaft at the wheel end is supported and splined to the hub inner-diameter. The other splined end of the shaft is supported by the differential.

The pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller bearings. The pinion depth is set by a shim pack between the inner pinion bearing cup and axle housing. The pinion bearing preload is set by a shim pack at the front of the axle housing between the bearing cone and pinion gear.

The differential case is supported by two tapered roller bearings. The differential bearing preload and drive gear to pinion gear backlash is controlled by two methods. One method uses a 0.76 mm (0.030 inch) hardened shim located between each differential bearing cone and the differential case, and a selective outboard spacer shim located between each differential bearing cup and housing. The other method uses selective shims between each differential bearing cone and the differential case, with outboard spacers between each differentials bearing cup and housing. To move the ring gear with outboard selective shims, choose shims of different thickness to accommodate the change. For example: if a shim that is 0.13 mm (0.005 inch) thinner is required on the ring gear side, then one that is 0.13 mm (0.005 inch) thicker will be required-on the opposite side. If the change is required on a axle that is built using the other method, gear movement may be accomplished by moving shims from one side of the differential case to the other. If the differential preload needs to be changed, equal amounts must be added or subtracted from each side.

The axle housing is spread to remove the differential from the housing. When the spreader is removed, the housing sets the bearing preload. Two bearing caps hold the differential in the axle housing. The axle is sealed with a pinion seal, hub seal, and RTV between the cover and the housing.

All Dana axles are identified by a part number and manufacturing date on the right axle tube, cover plate side. The model number is cast on the carrier. The axle ratio and Limited Slip lubrication information are located on tags attached to the differential cover plate. The carrier does not have a drain plug.