1980 Rear end strength
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
Most people consider the U-Joints as the weakest part of the Rear end of the 80'-82 Dana 44. So You really want to change to Spicer Brand 1350 U-joints. Unless Your Car was a 4-speed orignaly then You need to change the Axel Flanges, 1/2 Shafts and Yokes to do the conversion. Yes I sead Yokes the same ones You are changing now in Your Rebuild. So now would be the Time to do it once and for all.
If You search the site there is more info on all of this.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
There is only one person I would trust machining and installing a steel cap in an aluminum diff, and he is right here on the forum. He's been doing it for a while now, and he has all the jigs set up. Check out this monster...
If you want more info, you are welcome to PM me.
If you want more info, you are welcome to PM me.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
Bee Jay
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,913
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Someone call? Here is my batwing install thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
Bee Jay
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
Bee Jay
My installation was similar, just different mounting tab locations due to narrowing the batwing to clear the C4 suspension.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
There is only one person I would trust machining and installing a steel cap in an aluminum diff, and he is right here on the forum. He's been doing it for a while now, and he has all the jigs set up. Check out this monster...
If you want more info, you are welcome to PM me.
If you want more info, you are welcome to PM me.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 110
From: Garland Texas
There's no need for a steel cap on the right side. Under load all the force is being applied to the cap on the left side. On the right side all the force is applied into the case.
You can't buy a cap an install it like an iron diff. The iron diff uses the case to handle all the lateral force of the carrier. The Dana uses just the cap. The steel cap is machined to use the case for support also. None of the 80-82 cases are machined inside except for the bearing bores so a universal cap won't work. The case has to be machined and then each cap is made for the case.
The Dana is by no means a weak unit. It's only downfall is the design of the aluminum cap. The caps vary in thickness as much as .200 which is why some Dana diffs handle 500 hp and some break with 200 hp.
Mike
You can't buy a cap an install it like an iron diff. The iron diff uses the case to handle all the lateral force of the carrier. The Dana uses just the cap. The steel cap is machined to use the case for support also. None of the 80-82 cases are machined inside except for the bearing bores so a universal cap won't work. The case has to be machined and then each cap is made for the case.
The Dana is by no means a weak unit. It's only downfall is the design of the aluminum cap. The caps vary in thickness as much as .200 which is why some Dana diffs handle 500 hp and some break with 200 hp.
Mike
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
There's no need for a steel cap on the right side. Under load all the force is being applied to the cap on the left side. On the right side all the force is applied into the case.
You can't buy a cap an install it like an iron diff. The iron diff uses the case to handle all the lateral force of the carrier. The Dana uses just the cap. The steel cap is machined to use the case for support also. None of the 80-82 cases are machined inside except for the bearing bores so a universal cap won't work. The case has to be machined and then each cap is made for the case.
The Dana is by no means a weak unit. It's only downfall is the design of the aluminum cap. The caps vary in thickness as much as .200 which is why some Dana diffs handle 500 hp and some break with 200 hp.
Mike
You can't buy a cap an install it like an iron diff. The iron diff uses the case to handle all the lateral force of the carrier. The Dana uses just the cap. The steel cap is machined to use the case for support also. None of the 80-82 cases are machined inside except for the bearing bores so a universal cap won't work. The case has to be machined and then each cap is made for the case.
The Dana is by no means a weak unit. It's only downfall is the design of the aluminum cap. The caps vary in thickness as much as .200 which is why some Dana diffs handle 500 hp and some break with 200 hp.
Mike
Ask me how I know!
I now have to install a cage to be able to return to a couple NHRA sanctioned drag strips!!!
Thanks Mike!!!
