Dana 35, 27 spline axle thrust washer

[Jsteck]

I have a '94 ford ranger 4x4, 4L with a Dana 35 TTB front end. I bought the truck and it already had a 4" lift kit on it. I run 265/70r/17s on it currently. The axle thrust washer gets worn down heavily by the end of the spindle.

1. Is the wearing down of the axle thrust washer due to the tire size?
2. Is there a modification to prevent excessive wear on this washer?

 

[Curious Hound]

Tire size should have nothing to do with that. The shaft should have a small amount of play axially. That washer (if we’re talking about the same washer) keeps the shaft from sliding toward the differential. The c-clip in the differential keeps it from sliding out of the differential. If you don’t have any axial play in the shaft, then something isn’t right.

What kind of lift was installed?

 

[Shran]

Welcome to working on a D35... The vast majority of these axles I've worked on have this issue, the washer is concaved in towards the spindle bore, or missing entirely.

I don't really have a solution, I just replace it if it's worn down. It seems that loose wheel bearings contribute a lot but I have also been tempted to grind a bit off the end of the spindle to allow for a tiny bit more play, but I have not gone to that extreme yet.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would also check and make sure the slip joint in the axle shaft can move freely.

It might not make much difference, I did this:

Dana 35 / 28 C-Clip Eliminator (External) - The Ranger Station

This is another way to eliminate the E-Clip found in the 1984-1990 Bronco II, 1991-1994 Explorer, or a 1983-1997 Ranger Dana Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front suspension. Difficulty: 4 out of 10, some welding may be required. Part: Echo Spring, Echo Part … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

It would keep the shaft pushed out all the time so there shouldn't much if any pressure on the washer. Not why I did it but it might help.

 

[4x4junkie]

Slather lots of wheel bearing grease on that washer. This has always worked for me.

Another option would be to put the 3-piece washer setup from a '95-'97 truck on there, the 3-piece is an inner plain washer, a nylon (Delryn?) washer, followed by a (thinner) splined washer. The plastic piece acts to reduce the friction and grinding on the end of the spindle. They are hard to find though (I'm not aware of a pt# to buy them new, you may have to find them at a wrecking yard).

 

[thcscubajohn]

Can aybody share a link or a part number for this washer? I lost the c clip and washer from one side of my truck. I can find new c clips but no washer.

 

[FordRacing]

Can aybody share a link or a part number for this washer? I lost the c clip and washer from one side of my truck. I can find new c clips but no washer.

The part number for that washer is F57Z-3B458-A...need some for my 94 explorer as one is badly worn and the other destroyed....was told they are out of production and the scrap yards I've called say that is to old and they crushed them.

 

[salty_ranger218]

Can aybody share a link or a part number for this washer? I lost the c clip and washer from one side of my truck. I can find new c clips but no washer.

97 w/ dana 35 here. my thrust washers were missing entirely. ordered these from torque king.