Hi Guys.
I happened to notice two axle retaining bolt-heads gone,and a third bolt was loosened.
Could excessive torque cause this?
I was able to unscrew the remaining portion of the bolt.
I went and ordered a new set of bolts figuring if two broke,then the rest may have been weakened.
Also...what is the correct torque for these bolts?
1998 1 ton dually Dana 80
GCSS

 

I just did mine on the drivers side a couple of monthes ago. I pulled the hub cap off one day and there was a bolt head floating in it. I ordered 2 to replace the one that broke and have an extra. Well I replace the gasket and when I started to torque the bolts everyone of the originals broke. I ordered the rest and replaced them on the drivers side. I just did bearings and seals on the right side and I inspected the bolts and everyone bolted up fine. Why one side all of the bolts broke and the other none of the bolts broke is unknown to me. I could not get a response from Dodge. I put a couple bags of cement from time to time in my truck and I tow nothing. I do not spin my tires and outside of the air filter the engine is stock. They are/were installing bad bolts.

 

I am guessing that I had exceeded the limits of the fasteners when I was "testing" the power of the hot tune I had done to my motor.
I pressed the gas pedal down and enough brake at the same time to break the wheels loose (all four in a dually)
Hopefully I didn't hurt anything else.
However......your testament is encouraging.... I may not have hurt anything since YOU broke some too without the "testing"
GCSS

 

I've never heard of this before, and some people have made PLENTY of torque. I'd say there was a bad batch of bolts that got out. I've spun my tires, drag raced, had wheelhop that broke a stock dana 80 limited slip unit twice, and dynoed. Never had a bolt break.

 

This happened to me when I had a wheel bearing go bad and create a TON of heat..
I figured it was the heat.

 

My International dump truck does it all the time. Replacing bolts is on the same schedule as changing the oil.
If you ever figure out the cause let me know.

 

If it happens that often,more than likely you have a bent axle

 

i have a 98 dodge 1 ton 5 speed fairly hot motor and this is a common thing for us. We pull and we have to tighten or replace bolts after every pull. Its not a bent axle or a bad carrier because we have changed all of them.It sheered all the bolts off on the passenger side last weekend at a pull so its time to try somthing different. We just put Haisleys 37 spline axles and new carrier in to see if that helps.

 

Seems like if that were the case the bolts would break instantly the first time the truck moves after replacing the bolts.
Which bolts break is inconsistent, never the same ones.

 

Well if the axles were,in fact severely bent,yes,they would most likely snap the bolts right away.
But.... if they were slightly bent, then I would guess that the bolts would be getting stressed and would be snapping after a period of time due to the stress cycles eventually fatiguing the bolts
The period of time would vary according to the severity of the axle distortion.
Of course this is all a guess on my part.
I will be keeping an eye on my new bolts nevertheless.
GCSS

 

Maybe the axle tubes are not perfectly in line? That seems like it would put a lot pressure on the bolts.

What about using stronger bolts, but then would you be taking a chance on finding the issue the hard way?

 

Stock bolts are already grade 8 bolts, and they torque at 90lbs.

 

Thanks!
I have a factory manual for a 1992,and I don't recall seeing the dana 80 specs in there.
I guess I will have to get a newer manual.
Thanks again
GCSS

 

install studs in the hub housing and use nuts to hold shaft in it works awsome i have done this on alot of trucks that have this problem and they never come back with the same problem again