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Bad Day For My Dana 44

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Michael Crabtree, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. Oct 19, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    you might get surprised . lots of mail jeeps had a limited slip
    think bad winters , 2 wheel drive . snow chains
    also might be a east coast thing
     
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  2. Oct 19, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Ron's Right on...... Sorry about that, I may have spoken too soon.
    If it does have a metal tag , that was used to warn of to use a LS additive: hence , Tag = Trac-Loc. If it's a 30 spline & you did get one for that cheap, you may be able to R&R the clutch packs for ~ 100 bucks. You would then just need new case & pinon bearings & a shim kit. You will be able to reuse the cheap 3.73 Ring, case. pinion , in your existing axle / carrier. That is as long as the initial damage didn't wipe out the pinion races. BTW, you'll need to find out what your front D30 gear ratio is , so they match.

    Is that a centered D44 ? Hard to tell from your pic?
    Any hoo.....Let us know, with pic's , when you know & remove the cover.
    I, myself , have learned a lot from the guy's on this forum.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2020
  3. Oct 19, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Those postal axles are actually somewhat desireable; often limited slip, 1-piece axle shafts, big brakes.
    -Donny
     
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  4. Oct 19, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Nice score if everything is good in it! I’d weld new perches underneath, get new drums, maybe some wheel spacers to get you back to where you were width-wise and run it!
     
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  5. Oct 19, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    Oh really? That would be fantastic. Now I'm really curious and can't wait to crack it open and see what it has in it. Unfortunately, it won't be until later this week due to my current work schedule, but I will absolutely post pictures of what I find inside.
     
  6. Oct 19, 2020
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
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    You lost me right here.....

    One should never ever re-use a ring gear with a different or new pinion. If one is junk, they both are. R&P's wear together and "mesh". The chances of getting a good life and a quiet set up out of mixing and matching them is slim to none. I'd never even bother going through the set up process unless it was literally life or death and I had to get it together to save someone. There's a reason you can't buy the ring and pinion except as a pair.
     
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  7. Oct 19, 2020
    Lockman

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    Silver Hill,...
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    Right on......I agree fully. I shouldn't have suggested that. He stated later that both were shot. The member bought an axle that he's Possibly going to reuse the matching Ring & Pinion and install in his existing carrier .
     
  8. Oct 20, 2020
    Deaner70

    Deaner70 Member

    Shreve, Ohio
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    3 or 4 ugha ughas from the impact
     
  9. Oct 22, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    Well, was able to devote a little time to break into the donor rear end today. Looks to indeed be a LSD, and the gears look to be in good shape, which is fantastic. Now to just begin the fun process of pulling everything apart for the swap... IMG_8555.jpg
    IMG_8556.jpg
    IMG_8557.jpg
    IMG_8558.jpg
     
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  10. Oct 22, 2020
    Lockman

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    Your on your way. Good score .:clap:
    Try to get a TSM for say '69 - '70- '71 or the vintage of the axles that your working with. Reference's are worth their weight in Gold.

    Oh yeah.... hears a link from ILKSEZ . He's very Knowledgeable . Pretty Cool.
    Making/improvising Special Tools
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2020
  11. Oct 22, 2020
    Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    what are the engraved markings on the pinion heads? These numbers will guide you to the amount of change in the pinion depth. Ron
     
  12. Oct 31, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    So I was able to find a little time today to start pulling the damaged rear end apart, and I found this on the driver side axle:
    upload_2020-10-30_22-14-59.jpeg
    upload_2020-10-30_22-15-28.jpeg
    I need advice. Is this twist too much? Would I be a fool to keep running it and have the danger of it breaking? Or should I just bite the bullet and replace it. I don’t plan on being crazy with it. It’s mostly going to be a pavement queen, with occasional tame off-roading.
     
  13. Oct 31, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Check out your ' Donor ' axle's ...... May be in better shape ?
     
  14. Oct 31, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    I’d put the mail jeep axle back together, re-locate the spring perches to fit the chassis, and run it pretty much as-is.
    You’d be surprised how many axle shafts have some twist at the splines.
    -Donny
     
  15. Oct 31, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    They’re too short unfortunately.
     
  16. Oct 31, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    This is what I was hoping for. It doesn’t seem damaged or bent other than the twist. I just didn’t want to spend another couple hundred dollars on a new axle if this one is salvageable. Like I said, I don’t plan on being too hard on it.
     
  17. Nov 1, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    Ok, new question. Got the old axle torn down and out from under the Jeep. Now in the process of cleaning it up and found this hole that was plugged up with dirt and gunk. There’s already a breather on the axle right behind it, so what’s this one for? It seems factory and isn’t threaded.
    upload_2020-11-1_16-48-49.jpeg
    I’ve been doing research on this forum and it seems like leaving an open hole just invites dirt and crud getting into your axle. With the already existing vent, should I plug this?
     
  18. Nov 1, 2020
    Lockman

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    Yes Sir..... If your going to use it.
     
  19. Nov 2, 2020
    Michael Crabtree

    Michael Crabtree Member

    Lake County, CA
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    Yeah, definitely want that avenue for dirt plugged. I’m just curious as to why the two side by side vents? Was there a purpose for needing 2?
     
  20. Nov 2, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Is one of them threaded to maybe mount a brake line T-fitting, or clip for the brake tube?
     
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