To D44, or not to D44, that is the question

[bmc69]

Pinion angle looks good from what I can see, and the upper ball joint is leaning back looks like at least 7 degrees. So did you cut the castings off and rotate back to get the castor angle you needed. Then find a c bushing that worked with it?

I always shoot for 6-7 degrees of caster. The arms you see on that...made by me. I didn't touch the outer castings...on that or any of the other "one-piece outer" 44s I've narrowed.

 

[bmc69]

I would estimate that I've only set up about 200 D44 axles, and shortened maybe 40. So I still have plenty to learn.

Extreme sarcasm duly noted..LMAO...

 

[bmc69]

Im going to be a little harsh here.

It's OK. It's Jon. He's used to having abuse heaped on him from Project Bronco and Blue Oval forum days.

 

[bax]

It's OK. It's Jon. He's used to having abuse heaped on him from Project Bronco and Blue Oval forum days.

OK good. I didn't was to full on piss anyone off today

 

[bmc69]

I always shoot for 6-7 degrees of caster. The arms you see on that...made by me. I didn't touch the outer castings...on that or any of the other "one-piece outer" 44s I've narrowed.

Edit: Crap...it's hell getting old and old timers setting in...I just recalled that I had pulled the tubes from the center section in that one in the pic I posted.

 

[bax]

Edit: Crap...it's hell getting old and old timers setting in...I just recalled that I had pulled the tubes from the center section in that one in the pic I posted.

That has to suck. How hard is that? Did you get James to help you?

 

[bmc69]

OK good. I didn't was to full on piss anyone off today

No worries. you and I have a long way to go to achieve "expert level" arrogance and condescension ratings.

 

[bmc69]

That has to suck. How hard is that?

Much harder than I'd originally expected. Before I did it, I was not aware that the tube OD is finish-turned where it mates with the center and I also didn't know the axle seal seat is machined on the inner id. But that was all over 20 years ago. Fortunately I have a nice big lathe.... I belive you've seen it.

 

[bax]

No worries. you and I have a long way to go to achieve "expert level" arrogance and condescension ratings.

Much harder than I'd originally expected. Before I did it, I was not aware that the tube OD is finish-turned where it mates with the center and I also didn't know the axle seal seat is machined on the inner id. But that was all over 20 years ago. Fortunately I have a nice big lathe.... I belive you've seen it.

Yes I have seen it. I just picture the the big end of that tube spinning around taking out everything it hits.

 

[Seventee]

Im going to be a little harsh here. Yes that pinion points too high. Put it in 4wd and go 50 MPH and that drive shaft will shake like crazy.

It doesn't. I rarely unlock my hubs and regularly do 10-20 mile highway runs up to 65 mph and never had a problem. Those are still the original u-joints from 9 years ago.

 

[DirtDonk]

That's what I was going to ask about setting the pinion angle on the cast-wedge axles. Isn't it as "simple" (sarcasm added after the fact) as rotating the tubes in the center section?
And by "simple" I mean in theory, if not exactly in practice. Sounds like they're in there pretty good now. No more spun center sections under hard use.
So then these things are not like the old 30's that you could spin in the center section practically by hand, using the radius arms for leverage? Bummer.
Does the factory fully weld them, or just use plug welds in the holes. I've seen so many that were welded around the perimeter over the years that I've been wondering if it was done by the factory, or added later.
I always assumed that they were added later, but in more recent years I have not been so sure.

Paul

 

[bmc69]

Yes I have seen it. I just picture the the big end of that tube spinning around taking out everything it hits.

Does the factory fully weld them, or just use plug welds in the holes. I've seen so many that were welded around the perimeter over the years that I've been wondering if it was done by the factory, or added later.
I always assumed that they were added later, but in more recent years I have not been so sure.

Paul

Factory just the (rock hard) plug welds. I always add the heavy full-perimeter filet weld when I build them.

 

[bmc69]

I just picture the the big end of that tube spinning around taking out everything it hits.

Why do you think I drink so much?

 

[cldonley]

Why do you think I drink so much?

Thanks for all the help, advice and laughs y'all. This is gonna be a fun project.

 

[bax]

He said in an unsure voice

 

[gnpenning]

Since it came up in the discussion here are a couple pictures from a 74 F 100 D44 HP. They came with drum brakes from the factory and 3/8 tube with welded on wedges. You can see why the 76-77 is recommended. This will work though if you get the knuckles out for disc's. First picture shows the tube size.

You can see the tube is only plug welded from the factory.

 

[Seventee]

Okay, so this discussion inspired me to measure pinion angles yesterday:

EB is +5 degrees in relation to the drive shaft, here's a better picture:

'79 F-150 is +3 degrees for reference:

So I have 2 extra degrees in the EB installation. If I replace my 4 degree bushings with 7 degree, pinion angle will be very close to spot on and I will have close to 7 degrees of caster without cutting and turning anything. What's not to like about that?

 

[DirtDonk]

What's not to like about that?

Hmmm, changing C-bushings again?

 

[Seventee]

Hmmm, changing C-bushings again?

No kidding! I'm not planning on it at this point since it hasn't been a problem but I'll swap them if I ever have it apart again for some reason .

 

[bmc69]

Okay, so this discussion inspired me to measure pinion angles yesterday:

EB is +5 degrees in relation to the drive shaft, here's a better picture:

View attachment 897021

'79 F-150 is +3 degrees for reference:

View attachment 897022

So I have 2 extra degrees in the EB installation. If I replace my 4 degree bushings with 7 degree, pinion angle will be very close to spot on and I will have close to 7 degrees of caster without cutting and turning anything. What's not to like about that?

Indeed...comes out right about perfect. Which sounds a lot like what I was saying..