DANA 44 Guru needed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
DANA 44 Guru needed
Got my 1981 Dana 44 torn down tonight for inspection. I found that the spider pin is well worn where the yoke ends have been rubbing. Is this normal? Looks to be around .010-.020 worth of cut.
Also, could someone please post the torque specs for the hardware, backlash settings and pinion drag. None of this info came with the new gears as I had hoped.
I also purchased a new set of clutches since this rear has over 100k on it. Is there anything special as far as shims go since this unit does not have springs?
Thanks in advance!
Also, could someone please post the torque specs for the hardware, backlash settings and pinion drag. None of this info came with the new gears as I had hoped.
I also purchased a new set of clutches since this rear has over 100k on it. Is there anything special as far as shims go since this unit does not have springs?
Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
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From: Tolar Texas
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
I replaced the differential shaft due to the same wear pattern you described.
Here's a link to the discussion thread. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=193247
[Modified by MIKER, 10:34 PM 2/13/2004]
Here's a link to the discussion thread. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=193247
[Modified by MIKER, 10:34 PM 2/13/2004]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (MIKER)
Great! Thank you.
Does anyone have the torque specs for the pinion nut, ring gear bolts, carrier bolts and back cover?
Anyone know if shims are needed when replacing the posi clutches?
Does anyone have the torque specs for the pinion nut, ring gear bolts, carrier bolts and back cover?
Anyone know if shims are needed when replacing the posi clutches?
Team Owner
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Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (MIKER)
My 1980 rear end (that I just sold on eBay) had the same issue. I would think just replacing the cross pin would be good for another 75-100K or until the ends of the yokes got too close to the c-clips.
Take a close look inside mine and you will see the cross pin.
Take a close look inside mine and you will see the cross pin.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Tolar Texas
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
...Does anyone have the torque specs for the pinion nut, ring gear bolts, carrier bolts and back cover?...
Pinion nut- 200-220 lbs. ft.
Ring gear bolts- 45-60 lbs. ft.
Bearing caps- 60-70 lbs. ft.
Carrier front support- 65 lbs. ft.
Carrier cover to frame- (sidemember bracket) 95 lbs. ft.
Rear spring plate to carrier- 45 lbs. ft.
Strut bracket to carrier- 30 lbs. ft.
Camber Cam- 130 lbs. ft.
Strut rod to spindle Support Attachment- 75 lbs. ft.
Drive spindle nut- 100 lbs. ft.
"Lubrication: To refill add 4 oz. of GM 1052358 additive or equivalent, then fill to level of filler plug hole with GM 1052271 or 1052272 or equivalent."
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (MIKER)
The old style pin with those 2 grooves is a common cause of that wear problem. In many cases (perhaps because of poor maintainance), the grooves will burr and dig into the stub acles. Once you are through the hardened layer it wears very rapidly and when the pin stops turning the problems are even worse (the pin in the above pic has stopped turning)
Also it's common to see those pins having a blue or even reddish discoloration from overheating due to friction. If you buy a new pin the new one will most likely be the updated smooth model.
Burred and discolored pin:
New pin:
pin installed:
Are you going to rebuild the diff yourself? It takes quite a bit of measuring and carefull assembling to build up those differentials. One problem is the case grows with temperature and you have to spread the case to properly preload the bearings. It's not something you jsut slap together.
Also it's common to see those pins having a blue or even reddish discoloration from overheating due to friction. If you buy a new pin the new one will most likely be the updated smooth model.
Burred and discolored pin:
New pin:
pin installed:
Are you going to rebuild the diff yourself? It takes quite a bit of measuring and carefull assembling to build up those differentials. One problem is the case grows with temperature and you have to spread the case to properly preload the bearings. It's not something you jsut slap together.
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Instructor
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Twin_Turbo)
I have done more than a few 9", 10 and 12 bolt rears but this is my first Dana 44. It sure looks like the carrier shims are a one-shot-deal since they are on the inbound side. How much expansion do you allow a aluminum case? That is a good point I had not given thought to. My rule of thumb has always been to reuse the old shims as a good base point then adjust as needed from there.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Tolar Texas
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
...It sure looks like the carrier shims are a one-shot-deal since they are on the inbound side...
...How much expansion do you allow a aluminum case?...
My rule of thumb has always been to reuse the old shims as a good base point then adjust as needed from there.
Race Director
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Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (MIKER)
what you should do is look at the old carrier bearing races, look for the contact patch.. a lot of them have poor contact where you can see that most of the race surface is untouched.
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Instructor
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Twin_Turbo)
I had planned on doing this myself since I own the dial indicator and dial inch lb torq wrench. I bought these back in the day when I was ASE Certified and working for a Buick dealership.
By saying the carrier shims are a one shot deal, it looks like since they go in under the bearing, you would want to be dead on the first time so you do not need to pull the bearing again risking damage.
What was the cause in these rear ends for the race wear issue? Do the bearings not center properly or is there a issue with poor race support?
By saying the carrier shims are a one shot deal, it looks like since they go in under the bearing, you would want to be dead on the first time so you do not need to pull the bearing again risking damage.
What was the cause in these rear ends for the race wear issue? Do the bearings not center properly or is there a issue with poor race support?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
...By saying the carrier shims are a one shot deal, it looks like since they go in under the bearing, you would want to be dead on the first time so you do not need to pull the bearing again risking damage...
(I measured each old shim individually with a micrometer and totaled the values to create the new shim packs)
What was the cause in these rear ends for the race wear issue? Do the bearings not center properly or is there a issue with poor race support?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Plano TX
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
I have an 80 L82 and replaced the center shaft years ago.
I do have a question about diff types though:
1) Isn't the 80 to 82 diff a DANA 36 not the 44?
2) An aluminum diff DANA 44 isn't mentioned until the stick C4 cars, so do these parts fit the 80 to 82 DANA 36 housing?
Dave
I do have a question about diff types though:
1) Isn't the 80 to 82 diff a DANA 36 not the 44?
2) An aluminum diff DANA 44 isn't mentioned until the stick C4 cars, so do these parts fit the 80 to 82 DANA 36 housing?
Dave
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Instructor
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (DaveL82)
80-82 Is a Dana 44 but it is specific to these years and not directly interchangeable with the C4.
The C4 Dana 44 seems to be stronger, sometimes refered to as heavy duty. They do not share the same parts as the C3 Dana 44
The C4 Dana 44 seems to be stronger, sometimes refered to as heavy duty. They do not share the same parts as the C3 Dana 44
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Quebec
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
Dana 44 is for the pinion and ring gear. The case and other part may differ. I got a Dana 44 gear from a Bronco front differential bethween 1968 and 1977 and it fit my 1980 carrier and case. I suppose that a later C4 pinion and gear would fit but nothing more.
Stephan
Stephan
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
Got lazy today and figured that with a lack of a decent workbench and vise, I might well be better off looking for someone to assemble and setup this rear end. I found it hard to believe that only one shop was willing to give it a shot at the ultra low cost of $360. Keep in mind that everything is clean, new and replacement parts are being provided. I thought this price was a little steep. What do you think?
Race Director
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From: State of Confusion
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
I had the Dana-44 in my '82 at a local shop in October '03. I had the 2.87s swapped-out to 3.73 gears. Other than the new ring & pinion, ALL labor & miscellaneous parts (shims, fluids, etc.) cost me $350.00. This guy, who I've known 18 years, has been doing C2/C3 rear-ends SINCE they were offered in the mid-'60s...
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Marshalltown Iowa
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Glensgages)
Other than the new ring & pinion, ALL labor & miscellaneous parts (shims, fluids, etc.) cost me $350.00.
Anyone know a good way to determine carrier bearing preload? I am so used to tapping shims in with a hammer or cranking the side adjusters on a 9". Not sure how to go about this on the Dana 44.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Quebec
Re: DANA 44 Guru needed (Eric R)
For the carrier bearing preload, it's supposed to be the same way as the pinion bearing preload. With a inch-pound torque wrench, you spin the pinion nut with the carrier and gear installed and you mesure the drag. The pinion preload alone by GM is 15 to 35 in/lb and Yukon says 14 to 19 in/lb. (Thanks to MIKER) The carrier preload should be a spec (that I can't find) in addition to the mesured pinion preload alone. In other word, if you find your pinion preload to be 16 in/lb and the total with the carrier installed to be 30 in/lb, you have 14 in/lb carrier bearing preload.
Does anyone have the carrier bearing preload spec?????
Stephan
P.S. Go to http://www.ring-pinion.com/tech/yukoninst.pdf for nice instructions.
[Modified by American Boy, 10:23 AM 2/17/2004]
Does anyone have the carrier bearing preload spec?????
Stephan
P.S. Go to http://www.ring-pinion.com/tech/yukoninst.pdf for nice instructions.
[Modified by American Boy, 10:23 AM 2/17/2004]
