Bent Dana 44?

[kholding]

I bought a set of axles off a '76 F150. The truck had been sitting in a backyard for a while. I took the axles all the way apart, removed all the mounts and c-wedges, sandblasted and buffed the housings. While looking at the D44, it looks like the short end isn't quite lined up with the long end? It isn't off by much, but has me worried. As I look closer, it almost looks as though its off at the pumpkin? Maybe 1/4" over the total length of the housing. Is this common or is it going to be a big problem? Is there a legit fix for this? I can post a pic, but don't think it will show enough.

 

[gravy]

It is common for the casting to bend where the axle tube enters- I just found that out- I just had a D60 I had to scrap because the housing was bent on the pass side. Its not worth thrying to straighten it

 

[kholding]

At what point is it considered bent vs not perfect from the factory? I don't want to scrap this thing only to find out that it wasn't a big deal or even normal?

 

[jedblake]

Hey Kenny, jed from Henderson thanks again from the hood.
You may want to call around to some drag race shops or Socal Speed Shop and find out who narrows the 9" rears for tubbed rear ends.
The bent axle tubes are common on the 40+ year old 9", most shops have a jig they use to check out of round, looks like it could be used for a D44. Just my 2 cents.
You could also stop by Adams Drive Shafts (Sunset/Bldr Hwy) and ask to talk to James Adams the owner for second opinion. He is big into the rock crawling sceen and I'm sure has seen some bent up differentials. They are a great shop to work with and been around forever.
Jed

 

[broncnaz]

If its off 1/4" thats a lot wouldnt use it like that for anything but a trail rig. They can be fixed might consider also bracing it up at the same time to help strenghten it as well.

 

[Terkish]

I wouldent think it would be to hard for a axle shop to fix. I have had axles re-tubbed befor. If nothing else they can take the tube out and put a new one in straight.
I would just call around to your local shops and see what they would charge.

 

[WILDHORSES]

It might just be the pic but it looks like one side has spun in the housing. Pretty common to break the plug welds. Might not be a bad thing. If it's going to need work you can add point the pinion up and keep the caster dialed in.

 

[gravy]

Those axles are hard to find so fixing it may be an option but not an easy fix. If its only the tube have a shop retube it which will cost at least a few hundred. If it is the cast housing thats bent it will be real hard to straighten it but anything is possible. You will need to have a shop put it in a jig and see whats bent first.

 

[kholding]

Thanks everyone. Going to bring it to the shop to have them look at it.