Dana 44 disc front for 76-77

[Crawdad]

Nice. Going to slather some Hoppe's #9 in there first?;D

Paul

I used some Simple Green and it worked very well. The tubes got that shine back inside.

 

[Crawdad]

I pulled the carrier out and all looks very good. Took a long aluminum rod and popped out the inner seals. I continued to hone the remaining tubes where the seals sat it. My question is how in the hell do you put the new seals back in?!?!?! Can I use gear oil as a lubricant so the new seals seat right in?

 

[Glass Pony]

My question is how in the hell do you put the new seals back in?!?!?! Can I use gear oil as a lubricant so the new seals seat right in?

I hear ya! They do make a tool but it was a little pricey for maybe a one time use.

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/D304460-Side-Seal-Install-Tool/productinfo/29668/

What I did was use a length of 5/8 all-thread and an assortment of washers to pull them in from outside (knuckle end) as I couldn't get them started trying to tap them in. I couldn't get them all the way in with the all-thread but got them started enough where I could tap them the rest of the way with a brass punch.

I didn't use oil on the outside of the seal, just a light smear of RTV.

Hope this helps.

 

[DirtDonk]

But oil is generally considered a good thing to use for starting most seals. Although the sealer would act as a nice little lubricant too, and have the added benefit of keeping any leaks at bay.
Luckily these seals are not known for leaking like the rear 9" seals are. Usually they're good to go for the next lifetime.

Man Crawdad, those tubes are clean! Hard to imagine anymore what they looked like before.

Paul

 

[Crawdad]

I kind a like the rtv lubricant idea, I have some on hand. I am making up Drills this weekend so today I made a tool-adapter-thingy for the inner seal. I like Glass Pony’s idea so I’m gonna run with his idea a lil bit and may be add a lil more to it. I think I will pull it in from the rotor side. A piece of 5/8” all-thread about 24” long and a plate I think we might be in business.

The inner tubes do look good but need to hurry up and get this housing buttoned up for sand blasting before rust kicks in.

 

[DirtDonk]

Wait, you're going to build it, button it all up, THEN sand blast it?!?
That just does not sound like a good idea all around. I would never think to put all that work into something and then risk the possibility of introducing sand into the insides.
I realize you're going to seal it all up, but what if a seal (whatever method is used) leaks? Sand in a brand new diff? I'd hate to think of that happening.
Much easier to sand blast, then flush clean an empty housing than a built one I would think.

If you're dead set on it, just make darn sure the outer tubes and vent hole are sealed with more than just tape.;D

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Is that a Dana 44 inner seal? Is it just the angle of the photo that makes it look like a standard seal, or is that in fact a standard shallow seal?

Looks like this?


Just checking....

Paul

 

[sykanr0ng]

Wait, you're going to build it, button it all up, THEN sand blast it?!?
That just does not sound like a good idea all around. I would never think to put all that work into something and then risk the possibility of introducing sand into the insides.
I realize you're going to seal it all up, but what if a seal (whatever method is used) leaks? Sand in a brand new diff? I'd hate to think of that happening.
Much easier to sand blast, then flush clean an empty housing than a built one I would think.

If you're dead set on it, just make darn sure the outer tubes and vent hole are sealed with more than just tape.;D

Paul

/\/\ x2
I would clean it, vigorously apply WD40 inside, plug the tubes and tape over the plugs, bolt on a cheap cover with cheap bolts and some RTV then sandblast or beadblast.
Clean sand/beads off, remove the tape and plugs, degrease and paint then assemble it.

 

[Glass Pony]

Crawdad,
Your tool-adapter-thingy for the inner seal looks trick!
Make another one for the knuckle end so it keeps center. I had to get the wife to hold center on the passenger side using washers as I had a hard time reaching it getting things lined up to start pulling the seal in.
Good job!

 

[Crawdad]

I plan to keep the housing as bare as possible. I’ll plug the tubes up with old tee shirts and lightly rtv the cover back on then wrap the hell out of the pinion. I don’t plan to reinstall any parts till after it’s been thoroughly cleaned several times.

 

[Crawdad]

Is that a Dana 44 inner seal? Is it just the angle of the photo that makes it look like a standard seal, or is that in fact a standard shallow seal?

Looks like this?
View attachment 451704

Just checking....

Paul

That looks like the same seal I have in ur pic. It came packaged up with a Yukon rebuilt kit for D44.

 

[Crawdad]

Upper and lower ball joints

Thought I would spend some time on the knuckles by installing the ball joints. Moms got me a new set up upper and lower ball joints last Xmas. So I finally pulled the joints from their plastic wrapper and found the lower joints matched perfectly, the uppers well not so much. The uppers were different colors and different lengths. You be the judge from the pics. I contacted JBG to get their input, waiting for their reply.

 

[Crawdad]

I emailed JBG on Sunday and haven’t received a response. I just called them and I was put on hold for 10 minutes then I hung up. Called back again and phone line is busy. You guys mustah loaded them guys up with a bunch of discounted items that ended Sunday!

I got the lower ball joints installed on Sunday.

 

[Crawdad]

I kept calling and sure enough I got thru to Steve. Man what a great guy. He saw the issue and didn’t hesitate to ship me the correct upper ball joint! I should get it by this weekend.

 

[DirtDonk]

Good deal. Was it just a mis-boxed or mis-made unit? Or is it for another version of a Dana 44 instead?

Or is that bit even known at this point?

Paul

 

[Crawdad]

Good deal. Was it just a mis-boxed or mis-made unit? Or is it for another version of a Dana 44 instead?

Or is that bit even known at this point?

Paul

Steve said that I should have received the silver ones. All they do is pull lil blue boxes off the shelf without chkg to see if the part is correct inside. I can kind of understand. I’m glad they resolved it without me having to look for the receipt or invoice.

 

[sprdv1]

I kept calling and sure enough I got thru to Steve. Man what a great guy. He saw the issue and didn’t hesitate to ship me the correct upper ball joint! I should get it by this weekend.

Glad they worked it out for ya....

 

[Crawdad]

New upper and lower ball joints installed

Pressed on the upper ball joints today. The snap ring for the lower ball joints went on easy. The snap rings for the upper ball joints not so much. I removed and reinstalled the upper ball joints twice and still no luck. Those snap rings did go on well on one side but not well on the other. I remember taking the old ball joints off and the uppers didn’t have snap rings installed.

 

[Crawdad]

Migs track bar riser mock up

Had this track bar riser fabbed up by Migs that I’ve had for a couple of years now. It’s about time to weld it in position. Gotta remove some old undercoat/ paint so I gotta get the sandblasted out of hiding and get this area cleaned up.

 

[DirtDonk]

...I remember taking the old ball joints off and the uppers didn’t have snap rings installed.

That's how mine were from the factory too.
The new ones came with snap-rings however, and in one case (as with yours it sounds like) I was actually able to get one installed. But not the other.
Because it didn't have one to begin with, I never worried about it. But since one did fit, I felt it would not be a problem to use it.

By the way, when you got your first set of joints and the one pair didn't match the other, were the wrong ones any longer by any chance? Meaning do you think the snap-rings would have fit them if they'd been installed?
Or was the issue with the stud part, not the socket part? Sorry, I don't remember all the details. Just that they were going to send you some new ones.

Paul