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Cost To Rebuild Dana 44

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by GillaFunk, May 6, 2022.

  1. May 6, 2022
    GillaFunk

    GillaFunk I'm the Dude, so thats what you call me. 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Graeagle Calif...
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    Sep 26, 2019
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    278
    I’m slowly restoring my ‘59. The rear axle and rear drive shaft are all that is left to do mechanically.

    ove been driving the Jeep and there are no known issues (other than Currently there is a locker in it but it doesn’t appear to work correctly). I’d like to simply have the entire axle professionally gone through. I was thinking of adding a Tom woods rear drive shaft as well.

    what’s a reasonable price to have the axle rebuilt? I called one shop and they quoted ~$1,500.
     
  2. May 6, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    If nothing is wrong just swap bearings and verify pattern.
     
  3. May 6, 2022
    cj2atruck

    cj2atruck Member

    Spokane, WA
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2020
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    64
    Dana 44 isn't hard to rebuild, but you will need some tools if you are going to replace all bearings and seals:

    - dial indicator
    - press
    - slide hammer
    - bearing seperator
    - calipers
    - torque wrench

    You should be able to reuse all the shims on the carrier and pinion, and you will likely have the correct ring gear backlash without any work unless you change the carrier....which takes more work and some experience.

    $1500 would be a fine price if all bearings and seals are being replaced, including carrier and pinion...and includes the price of parts. If it's $1500 plus parts, that seems high...
     
  4. May 6, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I would think that's kind of steep if no major components need replacement. But if you are going all new r+p, locker, etc, it's not bad. A Detroit costs $700 these days, install kit $250, r+p $200, and a good mechanic could set one up in 3 hours, maybe. Add wheel bearings, brakes, axle shafts, full floater, etc and it goes up.
     
  5. May 7, 2022
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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    Sep 24, 2018
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    398
    I got mine rebuilt with new bearings, seals and chromoly shafts for around $1000 total
     
  6. May 8, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    $1500 quote was probably if they basically had to replace everything including the ring and pinon and the case because of the non-working locker. Otherwise high. Or they don't want to work on so they priced it high.
    A quality ring and pinion set can easily run in the $350 range these days. There are cheap ones out there but not worth wasting the money on.
     
    GillaFunk likes this.
  7. May 8, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Jun 24, 2004
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    1,132
    If you have a question on a quote, have them break it down. They should be able to give you the parts cost and labor. Compare that to what you think things should cost. Labor for a ring and pinion R&R should be about 3 hours for a gutted bench install. About 5 for a complete axle in the rig.
     
    GillaFunk likes this.
  8. May 11, 2022
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Oct 10, 2015
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    1,900
    I recently call several places here and they all said $5-600 labor plus parts. Of course I’m sure they make markup on parts so I have no idea of parts costs.
     
    Keys5a likes this.
  9. May 11, 2022
    cayenne

    cayenne Member

    central Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2006
    Messages:
    276
    5 years ago 4wheelparts gave me an outrageous quote to rebuild one after my lock right came apart and caused internal chaos.
    I ended up buying a completely rebuilt dana44 from herm with a full float installed and he installed my owner-supplied elocker and brakes for about 1500 (shipping not included)…so 1500 seems steep for just a rebuild unless inflation is that bad. I could have done it myself cheaper but it was nice to just take it off the pallet and bolt it up (after the typical herm related purchase issues were resolved)
     
    GillaFunk likes this.
  10. May 12, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    prices were. Materials and are arts have increased significantly from 5 years ago.
     
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