Motive Gear 706070XR carrier bearing kit for Dana 80, Dana 70 HD and Ford 10.25 and 10.5 inch Sterling rear axles, 2.25 in. ID by 4.125 in. OD.
If a one-ton Ford, an E-350 van or a 1995-2002 Ram 2500 or 3500 has started to growl from the rear under load, or the backlash on the ring gear changes as you turn it, the carrier bearings are the first suspect. The Motive Gear 706070XR is a carrier bearing set sized for the heavy rear axles those trucks ride on: the Dana 80, the Dana 70 HD and the Ford Sterling 10.25 and 10.5 inch. Each bearing measures 2.25 inches inside diameter by 4.125 inches outside diameter, and the part number supersedes the earlier 706070X.
The differential case and ring gear spin on two tapered roller bearings, one on each side of the carrier. Their cups sit in the housing under the bearing caps, and shims or threaded adjusters behind them set two things at once: the preload that keeps the carrier from floating, and the backlash between the ring gear and pinion. On a Dana 80 the carrier also has to resist the ring gear trying to push away from the pinion every time the truck pulls a trailer up a grade. Once the rollers or cups pit, that preload disappears. The ring gear moves sideways under torque, the contact pattern wanders toward the edge of the teeth, and the axle starts to howl. A carrier bearing that breaks its cage can lock up or spin in its bore and take the gear set with it.
This is a carrier-side set only. It does not include pinion bearings, a pinion seal, shims or ring gear bolts. For a full rebuild, pair it with a master kit that matches your pinion race size.
Pull the cover and drain the oil into a clean pan. Mount a dial indicator on a ring gear tooth and check backlash at four points around the gear. A large swing points to carrier runout or loose bearings. Pry between the case and housing with a bar: any side movement means the preload is gone. Spin the carrier by hand and feel for roughness. Our Dana 80 rear axle problems guide covers the common failures, and the Ford Sterling 10.5 guide covers the Ford side.
Motive Gear catalogs the 706070XR for Dana 80, Dana 70 HD and Ford 10.25 and 10.5 inch rear axles. The application list includes 1995-1997 F-350, 1999-2016 F-350 Super Duty, 1995-2019 E-350 vans and Super Duty cutaways, and 1995-2002 Ram 2500 and 3500. It also lists some GM Suburban, Yukon, Express and Savana years. Those trucks were built with several different rear axles, so confirm yours is a Dana 70 HD, Dana 80 or Sterling 10.25/10.5 by the tag or cover shape, and measure the old bearing if you can. Not sure? Send us the year and VIN. More axle parts are in our rebuild kits section.
| Fits | Dana 80, Dana 70 HD, Ford 10.25 in. and 10.5 in. rear axles |
| Vehicle Coverage | 1995-2016 Ford E-Series; 1995-1999 Chevrolet and GMC Suburban; 1995-2002 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 |
| Part Number | Motive Gear 706070XR (replaces 706070X) |
| Bearing ID | 2.25 in. |
| Bearing OD | 4.125 in. |
| Weight | 4.7 lb |
No. It is the two carrier bearings with their races. Pinion bearings, seals, shims and ring gear bolts come in a master overhaul kit.
Yes. Motive Gear lists it for the Ford 10.25 and 10.5 inch rear axles as well as the Dana 80 and Dana 70 HD. Confirm your axle code to be sure it is a Sterling and not a Dana.
The 706070XR is the current part number that replaces the earlier 706070X. Both are 2.25 in. ID by 4.125 in. OD carrier bearing sets.
Usually you start with the original shim stacks, since this kit does not include shims. New bearings can measure slightly differently, so always recheck preload and backlash before final torque.
Yes. The old cones are usually damaged when they are pulled off the factory case, and a new locker case needs new bearings pressed on anyway.
