Big Hubs on Dana 44

[odog]

So I found a Dana 44, has big hubbs, BUT the plastic dials are broken. The pin that goes in the dial that actuates the cam when turned have broken out the plastic on the dials, making them unusable. Is this a common problem or did the PO do something to break these? The dials have pliers marks all over them, and when I took them off the grease inside looked like hard chocolate, not very good. Are the dials easy to find, or should I get new hubbs?

Thanks Guys.

Erik

[BLAZERMAN]

Thats a very common problem with the Spicer external drive hubs..its usually caused by over greasing the hubs and using too heavy of a grease. They acually are a very good lockout when maintaned correctly. As far as the plastic dials you can still find the red Ford versions and sometimes the mustard yellow GM version pop up but the blue are getting hard to find. A good alternative for lockouts is the Warn 9072s that will work with your external drive hubs.

[odog]

I wondered if this was a common problem, as the plastic ages maybe it weakens or something. I wonder if anybody has tried to machine one out of steel or aluminium. May be worth looking into. These were the yellow versions, but they looked like they have been beat on. I will keep looking and see what I can find, and maybe I will look into making a steel dial.

[special-K]

Someone did machine some aluminum ones here on the sight and I wish I had gotten some. The plastic ones also broke from being dry and gritty from no maintenance. I have repaired them by drilling holes in a new position and even used a drill bit! Hey,it worked for years and you just had to know which way the hubs turn for lock and free.

[odog]

Actually drilling new holes isnt a bad idea, I am usually the only one to lock the hubs, so as long as I know whats lock and free it should be fine.

[coops714x4]

I found a used set of the dirty yellow ones in great shape for $200 (complete lock assembly) and was glad to get them. I seen a NOS pair of blue ones sell on Feebay for 600. when I pulled mine apart they were PACKED full of grease and grit,pins were broke. work great now. I will keep a eye out for some for ya, if you machine some aluminum ones let me know I might get ya to make me a pair. Coop

[70custom20]

The red Ford ones say Ford on them, not spicer, correct? I'm sure those hubs are tough to find, and yeah a lot of guys probably did use plyers on them to get them to turn until they break like the ones you have

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by 70custom20

The red Ford ones say Ford on them, not spicer, correct? I'm sure those hubs are tough to find, and yeah a lot of guys probably did use plyers on them to get them to turn until they break like the ones you have

Some 1970 K/20 Suburbans had red dials with the Spicer logo, I think I still have a pair. the red Ford version are still available.

[70custom20]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Some 1970 K/20 Suburbans had red dials with the Spicer logo, I think I still have a pair. the red Ford version are still available.

Yes, the '70 K20's had the red plastic dials, my father-in-law's '70 has them. I think he's got a pair of the red ford hubs in his basement somewhere. he's the type of guy that would never sell them, because "you never know, I might need them" even though his 70 K20 is sitting outside rotting away, as it hasn't moved in at least 5+years.

[special-K]

The logos are foil stickers...not a problem to remove.

[coops714x4]

odog, here is a set of hubs on the board for sale, told ya I would find ya a set, REAL good price too.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=508008

[odog]

coop thank you for finding those hubs for me. I checked them out and the picture of them jogged my memory. I had a 67 3/4 ton frame with closed knuckle axles that is just sitting at my parents house, I checked the hubs and they are the same as the ones you found me. If you hadnt posted the link I probably would have forgoten about them and bought another set. So thank you. I now have a good set of hubs that work.

Erik

[coops714x4]

now that's just peachy, wish I had your luck, when I break something I never have spare parts to fix it. I'm glad you remembered them and no thanks needed that's what we are all here for is to help each other. Coop

[BlackhillsHD]

I just scored these off the web for $100. They kind of have the same look as the spicers with the blue in them.

[odog]

Those look pretty slick, and at $100 you cant go wrong.

[BlackhillsHD]

Yeah I had a dial broken too, and the cheapest I could find just the red ford dials was around $60. So I figured This was the better route. I just had to get shorter 3/8" allen heads, they dont stick out near as far as the Spicers.

[BLAZERMAN]

Originally Posted by BlackhillsHD

Yeah I had a dial broken too, and the cheapest I could find just the red ford dials was around $60. So I figured This was the better route. I just had to get shorter 3/8" allen heads, they dont stick out near as far as the Spicers.

Now those are pretty slick!! Your right they do have that vintage look to them..and from a distance I would think they were the old Spicers.

[BlackhillsHD]

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

Now those are pretty slick!! Your right they do have that vintage look to them..and from a distance I would think they were the old Spicers.

Yeah I still want it to look like an old truck. What is the fun if you modernize everything?