Dynatrac Free-Spin kits (getting rid of unit bearings)
- Thread starter IdaSHO
- Start date
Regcabguy
Oil eater.
The Dodge shop I use installs Dynatrac hubs on the Fords several times a year. I've had them for 8 yrs now. Same with my '85 Toyota and my '86 F-250. Manual transfer cases on all of them too. Many guys are lubing the unit hubs through the abs port and getting longer life out of them.For Dodge guys that's a big deal.
Us Ford guys already have manual locking hubs.
I just want serviceable bearings!
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Good to hear the good reviews of anything Dynatrac.
I've read about the supposed extended life by feeding the unit bearings grease thru the ABS hole.
Truthfully, its probably just as fast to completely repack a set of taper bearings than bother with even getting to the ABS hole.
You must remove the wheel/tire, caliper & bracket, and rotor to get to it.
With standard taper bearings, its just a matter of removing the locking hub to get to the bearings.
You don't even have to pull the wheel& tire off... Just jack the vehicle up.
A bit messier as you are right into it with grease, but that's it IMO.
I've read about the supposed extended life by feeding the unit bearings grease thru the ABS hole.
Truthfully, its probably just as fast to completely repack a set of taper bearings than bother with even getting to the ABS hole.
You must remove the wheel/tire, caliper & bracket, and rotor to get to it.
With standard taper bearings, its just a matter of removing the locking hub to get to the bearings.
You don't even have to pull the wheel& tire off... Just jack the vehicle up.
A bit messier as you are right into it with grease, but that's it IMO.
Superduty
Adventurer
It looks, from the photos, that the out axle (stub shaft) is gonna be a bit longer than the original stub shaft. I suppose that means the hub will stick out farther. I think they need space for the hub and to mount two bearings. I assume the dynatrac stub is a 1480 u joint. I think at some point Ford dropped the 1480 ujoint for the 1550 axle u joint, but not sure what year. Maybe that is why the Dynatrac kit is only good to 2014?
The Timken replacement unit bearing/hub appears to run about $250 per side.
The Timken replacement unit bearing/hub appears to run about $250 per side.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Yes, the spindles are longer. Not sure how long, but Ive been told they are shorter than other free-spin kits.
Considering the OEM locking hubs are actually recessed within the wheels, Im not concerned at all about anything a bit longer.
My junk is all 1480. Far as I know, the 1550 joints and shafts were exclusive to the F450/550 They are considered an upgrade for the 2005-2014 250/350
If the 1550 ever made it to the 250/350, it may very well be a 2014/2015 change.
The 2015 to present kit is here...
www.dynatrac.com
And hubs, there is ZERO reason to buy a complete timken hub once you go this route.
If all you want to do it change hubs, you stick with unit bearings.
The rest of us that prefer serviceable bearings, we just buy bearings & races.
Those are less than $30 per side. And again, thats assuming you ever have to actually change the bearings.
One of the biggest issues with unit bearings is that if/when the unit becomes contaminated, like with water intrusion, you are SOL.
With serviceable bearings, not the case. Pull them out, flush them clean, inspect, repack, reinstall.
All you are out is a bit of time and grease. And seals if you are doing it "properly"
Do this as a preventative measure, and the bearing will quite literally last the life of the truck.
Considering the OEM locking hubs are actually recessed within the wheels, Im not concerned at all about anything a bit longer.
My junk is all 1480. Far as I know, the 1550 joints and shafts were exclusive to the F450/550 They are considered an upgrade for the 2005-2014 250/350
If the 1550 ever made it to the 250/350, it may very well be a 2014/2015 change.
The 2015 to present kit is here...
Ford Truck Free-Spin™ Kits
The original Dynatrac™ Free-Spin™ Heavy Duty Hub Conversion Kits are popular with off-road enthusiast as well as companies who rely on their Ford trucks for work. Free-Spin kits replace problematic unit bearings, eliminating a weak link that is prone to failure.
www.dynatrac.com
And hubs, there is ZERO reason to buy a complete timken hub once you go this route.
If all you want to do it change hubs, you stick with unit bearings.
The rest of us that prefer serviceable bearings, we just buy bearings & races.
Those are less than $30 per side. And again, thats assuming you ever have to actually change the bearings.
One of the biggest issues with unit bearings is that if/when the unit becomes contaminated, like with water intrusion, you are SOL.
With serviceable bearings, not the case. Pull them out, flush them clean, inspect, repack, reinstall.
All you are out is a bit of time and grease. And seals if you are doing it "properly"
Do this as a preventative measure, and the bearing will quite literally last the life of the truck.
Explorerinil
Observer
I just looked, warn has a premium made in USA direct replacement hub for the super duty trucks, this may be a good cost effective option.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Well, gotta love it when they under-promise, and overdeliver...
I was out of town this weekend and got a silly text from the wife.
I was expecting some motorcraft parts via RockAuto to show up, but just small stuff.
"I used the hand truck to put the stupid heavy boxes in the shop"
?
When I got home this evening, both my RockAuto AND my Dynatrac order had arrived
Super stoked. I should have the truck back together this weekend.
I was out of town this weekend and got a silly text from the wife.
I was expecting some motorcraft parts via RockAuto to show up, but just small stuff.
"I used the hand truck to put the stupid heavy boxes in the shop"
?
When I got home this evening, both my RockAuto AND my Dynatrac order had arrived
Super stoked. I should have the truck back together this weekend.
dvn4life1972
Member
Seems like I've seen your name somewhere before.....
jadmt
ignore button user
Hey Pat I slum everywhere lol.
dvn4life1972
Member
Kindred spirits ?
dvn4life1972
Member
On topic I think those those Dynatracs are the stuff, they don't do half-baked.
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Well, ********...
Nice stuff or not, they are still prone to the occasional QC issues.
While prepping everything for install, including a quick chassis paint application to much of the kit,
I found a bent eye on one of the stubs. I really have no idea how such damage could even happen...
These are pretty stout stubs, and this is a severe bend...
Anyhow... Dynatrac is aware and is doing what they can to fix the issue.
Sucks, but it is what it is. Just one more reason to not rush these types of installs.
Nice stuff or not, they are still prone to the occasional QC issues.
While prepping everything for install, including a quick chassis paint application to much of the kit,
I found a bent eye on one of the stubs. I really have no idea how such damage could even happen...
These are pretty stout stubs, and this is a severe bend...
Anyhow... Dynatrac is aware and is doing what they can to fix the issue.
Sucks, but it is what it is. Just one more reason to not rush these types of installs.
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IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
What I was doing when I found the bent eye...
Inspecting and painting. As well as installing wheel studs.
Knuckles cleaned up and some fresh chassis paint applied.
The original (inner) axle shafts had the u-joints removed, and were cleaned up.
Then both the inner and the one good outer received some chassis paint.
U-joints, and hubs, with studs, received some chassis paint as well.
Inspecting and painting. As well as installing wheel studs.
Knuckles cleaned up and some fresh chassis paint applied.
The original (inner) axle shafts had the u-joints removed, and were cleaned up.
Then both the inner and the one good outer received some chassis paint.
U-joints, and hubs, with studs, received some chassis paint as well.
ttengineer
Adventurer
It’s cheaper to run unit bearings unless you want to keep the truck for over 400k miles.
But you can service the hubs with the wheel still on the truck and it does increase fuel milage. Admittedly about .5gal/mi though.
Free spin kits also reduce wear on front drive train components.
Yes thy are expensive, no they do not pay for themselves over unit bearings, but I think they are worth it.
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