[Mike Pearson]

Ed,

I have a dana in my car also and years back I also ran with a stick. This was the norm. With the open back of the case there is no support. The case just keeps spreading. There are some good covers out now that incorporate a brace across the back of the housing.I think its LPW that makes them. I did not have the good clutch like now thats probably why you are getting better life. When the case spreads the preload comes off of the bearings and the side shims start to rotate thus causing the issue in the photo. I now run an auto so no more issues with the dana.