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D44 Full Floating Axle - Broken And Stripped Axle Hub Retainer Bolts

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Mjb-cj5, Apr 12, 2019.

  1. Apr 12, 2019
    Mjb-cj5

    Mjb-cj5 New Member

    Lake Tahoe
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    Mar 24, 2019
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    I have recently acquired a 1963 CJ5 with a 1969 Dauntless 225 ci V6. It has a Dana 44 rear end with a solid, 1-piece axle, full floating. On my driver side rear wheel, the six axle hub/flange retainer screws that hold the axle in seem to indicate I have a problem. Of the six bolts, one was broken, four were stripped and only one was tight and secure.

    It was leaking oil so I pulled the axle and hub to change the bearings and oil seal. Did not notice anything that was an obvious problems.

    Does anybody have any thoughts on how these bolts might have become broken or stripped? My only thought was bad bearings and excessive play, but I am new at this and have no previous experiece with rear ends and axles. I would like to identify and adress any underlying causes.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks. Bill
     
  2. Apr 12, 2019
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
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    Mjb-cj5 likes this.
  3. Apr 12, 2019
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Yours is not the first time this issue has come up in the last few months. There is discussion about bolt stretch, heat cycles, whether or not studs would be more applicable, hole size vs. bolt dia, etc.
    I'm not aware anyone has achieved total solution. For now replacement with high quality bolts, use of thread locker and fresh lockwashers with regular checks seems to be the route.
     
  4. Apr 12, 2019
    Mjb-cj5

    Mjb-cj5 New Member

    Lake Tahoe
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    Hello Tim E. Thanks very much. I watched the link you referred. It was great. I will attempt the same tests. I purchased a new hub and will check both the new and old hubs for wobble.

    Your input was appreciated and quite useful.

    Bill
     
  5. Apr 12, 2019
    Mjb-cj5

    Mjb-cj5 New Member

    Lake Tahoe
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    Rich M. Thank you. I will review the information and discussions you suggest. I will also watch and check frequently going forward. Thanks very much.

    Bill
     
  6. Apr 12, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    If you have more questions - knowing which FF Kit you have would help in IDing your issues. That's assuming you know which one you have :) Pics are many times a good way to help figure things out.
     
  7. Apr 12, 2019
    Mjb-cj5

    Mjb-cj5 New Member

    Lake Tahoe
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    Mar 24, 2019
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    Warloch - I just learned what a full floating axle set up really meant about two weeks ago. I am working hard to get up to speed. I have no information from the previous owner about which FF kit was used. I am taking pictures and getting a list of all the stamped numbers I find. I will post pictures this evening (hopefully).

    Please stay tuned. Thanks for your help.

    Bill
     
  8. Apr 13, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome from Michigan, Bill, I have never seen a Full Floating D 44, but think that it would be a great help when towing, Good Luck
     
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  9. Apr 13, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I had this problem. I made my own. What happened is the locking hub loosened from the wheel hub. All the bolts had play at that point and one broke off on one side and a couple on the other. It began to wallow out the aluminum locking hub body.

    I bought the next size up shouldered studs, drilled and tapped out new hubs for that size and opened up the aluminum locking hub body mounting holes to accept the stud shoulder size. It's a bit of a tight fit to get the locking hub body on the new studs. I also used high strength locktite when screwing in the stud to the hub.

    I have several hundred miles on this new fix and haven't had issue.. time will tell.
    build your own full float dana 44?
     
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  10. Apr 13, 2019
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    I have one and yes it makes flat towing so easy.
     
  11. Apr 13, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    They are also one of the strongest setups you can get in an axle, and it makes breakage on the trail not such a big deal.
     
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  12. Apr 13, 2019
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    True. I run hubs all of the time but I also have a set of flanges if I think I need more strength.
     
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