dana 44 rebuild questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Blue_71 · 02-12-2008, 03:24 PM

i believe the K20 is ready for an axle rebuild, after having it on the road about 75 miles

i have a nice roar coming from the left front (wheel bearing) and an occasional clang that sounds like its in the front end.. i do know the u-joints in it are bad. so anyways, to the questions:

is a big hub dana 44 wheel bearing any different to change then a small hub? ive done wheel bearings on a 78 dodge 1/2 ton dana 44 and a 81 chevy 1/2 ton 10 bolt, but never a pre-76 3/4 ton.

are the front axles c-clip axles? i assume they are, and ill have to take off the differential cover, and fully remove the front axles to replace the u-joints on them, correct?

is there an axle bearing at the end of the tube, like on a semi-float rear end?

thanks for any help!
Josh

Mudder · 02-12-2008, 04:06 PM

No C-clips Josh. They both come out from the outside when you take the hubs and spindles apart. There is a seal on the pumpkin but can't remember is there is a bearing or not. Probably so.

earl87gta · 02-13-2008, 04:33 AM

the only bearings are the carrier bearings and the wheel bearings in the hubs you shouldnt even have to take the diff cover off just pull the hubs apart and the axles will come right out. while you have it apart i would think about changing the ball joint if they havent been changed and have some one drill the passenger side knuckle for cross over steering.

msgross · 02-15-2008, 01:37 PM

the knuckle doesn't have to come off though...

OLDCHEV4X4 · 02-15-2008, 07:38 PM

There is also a small bearing inside the inboard side of the spindle. I think its called a torrington bearing.
It sucks when you reinstall the axles, and push all that dirt into your diff.

earl87gta · 02-16-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

the knuckle doesn't have to come off though...

True but It would save time to do it all now and get it over with . He is going to a 6in lift so it may save him some time down the road to do it now and get it over with.

Blue_71 · 02-19-2008, 06:46 AM

ok, left side is completly apart.. i am going to have to replace the ball joints, as theyre bad, and the little needle bearing is bad inside the spindle.. i was going to attempt to do both sides this weekend in the yard, but after getting that apart i loaded up all the parts to take to work where i have a metal bench, press, and parts washer at my disposal

i do have one more question-- is there nothing to keep dirt from getting into the axle tubes on these things?? i thought for sure there would at least be a seal at the end of the tube

msgross · 02-19-2008, 08:48 AM

nope, only seal is near the diff center....

NAPA has a bearing kit for that.. BN1, BR1, BA1 or something is the part number, comes with a few parts that I had a hard time getting...

earl87gta · 02-19-2008, 03:58 PM

I think its mad4x4 that has them i may be wrong Ill look it up when I get home . but they make an axle seal that goes on the outer axle tube to keep water and trash out but there like $50.

02-12-2008, 04:06 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,339	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions No C-clips Josh. They both come out from the outside when you take the hubs and spindles apart. There is a seal on the pumpkin but can't remember is there is a bearing or not. Probably so.

02-13-2008, 04:33 AM	#3
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions the only bearings are the carrier bearings and the wheel bearings in the hubs you shouldnt even have to take the diff cover off just pull the hubs apart and the axles will come right out. while you have it apart i would think about changing the ball joint if they havent been changed and have some one drill the passenger side knuckle for cross over steering. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

02-15-2008, 01:37 PM	#4
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions the knuckle doesn't have to come off though... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

02-15-2008, 07:38 PM	#5
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions There is also a small bearing inside the inboard side of the spindle. I think its called a torrington bearing. It sucks when you reinstall the axles, and push all that dirt into your diff. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

02-19-2008, 08:48 AM	#8
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions nope, only seal is near the diff center.... NAPA has a bearing kit for that.. BN1, BR1, BA1 or something is the part number, comes with a few parts that I had a hard time getting... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 02-19-2008 at 08:54 AM.

02-19-2008, 03:58 PM	#9
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: dana 44 rebuild questions I think its mad4x4 that has them i may be wrong Ill look it up when I get home . but they make an axle seal that goes on the outer axle tube to keep water and trash out but there like $50. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb



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