Dana 44 "Inside" expert help needed
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,186
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Dana 44 "Inside" expert help needed
Something is loose on the right stub axle. I can move it in and out about 3/8's of an inch. Got a response on another post that it might be the axle retainer. Now my quest is to find out what the tip of the axle and that retainer looks like. I've looked at the dealer service manual and the drawing is so tiny that there isn't any detail to see. (It's just a tiny circle on the drawing) I've had other kinds of axles apart before and the axle retainers I'm used to seeing are a large washer with one side cut out. They slip over a groove in the tip of the axle and when the axle is pulled down into the differential side gear, there is a recessed area that it fits into. As long as it it's down in there,it can't get back off the axle tip. There is a cross shaft that slides in between the two axles so they can't be pushed in far enough to let that 'C' clip fall out. The axle is trapped from pulling out by the clip and pushing in by the cross shaft. Is the D44 like that? Does anybody have any pictures or know where there is a better drawing of this? The counter guy looked up part #32 on his drawing and said "It's an axle retainer kit and it's $370.00." Not out of my pocket scooter!
I'd like a little visual before I pull this thing down. I can fix anything if I just know what I'm in for ahead of time.
I'd like a little visual before I pull this thing down. I can fix anything if I just know what I'm in for ahead of time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: Jamison PA
You are correct about the internals of the D44. Same as most chevy rears. The retainer kits are expensive. There are different thickness retainers to set up the axle end play correctly. They are color coded. Here is the list:
Red=.075
Purple=.080
Pink=.085
Plain=.090
Blue=.095
Yellow=.100
White=.105
Orange=.110
PM me if you need a retainer. I may have one that you need.
Red=.075
Purple=.080
Pink=.085
Plain=.090
Blue=.095
Yellow=.100
White=.105
Orange=.110
PM me if you need a retainer. I may have one that you need.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Klondike
I've had other kinds of axles apart before and the axle retainers I'm used to seeing are a large washer with one side cut out. They slip over a groove in the tip of the axle and when the axle is pulled down into the differential side gear, there is a recessed area that it fits into. As long as it it's down in there,it can't get back off the axle tip. There is a cross shaft that slides in between the two axles so they can't be pushed in far enough to let that 'C' clip fall out. The axle is trapped from pulling out by the clip and pushing in by the cross shaft. Is the D44 like that? Does anybody have any pictures or know where there is a better drawing of this?
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,186
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
OK, Now I'm getting the information I'm looking for! Thanks a bunch guys. I printed out this thread so I know who I might need to look up later when I pull this thing down and get into it. Thank you Tony for the color codes and thickness list. That must have taken you some time to look up and type in for me. That is helpful info for sure.
Now I at least know what that "kit" is all about.
I'm going racing next week with my buddy at "The Big Bend Open Road Race"
, so I probably won't get into the Vette till after we get back (with another 1st trophy I hope)! We'll be running the '72 Pantera again, but don't let that bumm you out... We can't stay with the higher speed classes the Vetts run in out there. The old Pantera is quick but a little short legged against the newer C4's & C5's. You can only spin a Cleveland so tight before you either need another gear or you blow it up! ZF transaxle higher speed 5th or ring gears for that thing are more money than it's worth to make it go that fast. The Corvettes pretty much rule the real high speed classes out there. I'll be into that rear end when we get back though and I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again guys for the detailed responses.
Now I at least know what that "kit" is all about.I'm going racing next week with my buddy at "The Big Bend Open Road Race"
, so I probably won't get into the Vette till after we get back (with another 1st trophy I hope)! We'll be running the '72 Pantera again, but don't let that bumm you out... We can't stay with the higher speed classes the Vetts run in out there. The old Pantera is quick but a little short legged against the newer C4's & C5's. You can only spin a Cleveland so tight before you either need another gear or you blow it up! ZF transaxle higher speed 5th or ring gears for that thing are more money than it's worth to make it go that fast. The Corvettes pretty much rule the real high speed classes out there. I'll be into that rear end when we get back though and I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again guys for the detailed responses.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Do not drive your car around with that axle loose. Your wheel is unstable in that condition, and your c-clip which is suppose to hold the axle in, is somewhere in the rear, and if it gets caught up in the ring and pinion, the entire rear will be ruined.
Go online and check for TOM'S Differentials, they supply lots of vette rear parts and will be able to get you the clips for a very cheap price.
Also you may have damage to the axle ends, so I would tear it down before making the call.
Lastly the c-clips are VERY VERY VERY strong, and you will need to get a pair of 100+ very GOOD c-clip pliars. I broke about 3 pairs of 40 dollar ones before taking mine to a shop that does large semi truck repairs and the guy popped it on in about 2 minutes. This was after ~8hrs of me swearing and running to several stores. Don't even attempt it without the right ones.
Go online and check for TOM'S Differentials, they supply lots of vette rear parts and will be able to get you the clips for a very cheap price.
Also you may have damage to the axle ends, so I would tear it down before making the call.
Lastly the c-clips are VERY VERY VERY strong, and you will need to get a pair of 100+ very GOOD c-clip pliars. I broke about 3 pairs of 40 dollar ones before taking mine to a shop that does large semi truck repairs and the guy popped it on in about 2 minutes. This was after ~8hrs of me swearing and running to several stores. Don't even attempt it without the right ones.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,186
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I must be worse off than I thought! That loose parts thing sounds pretty scarry(EXPENSIVELY DESTRUCTIVE)! I've got some mighty though rt. angle grip ring pliers, but after hearing the comments about busting them I might be in for a trip to Mr. Snap-on for some industrial strength ones. There is a gear & transmission place here in San Antonio (Nogolitos Gear) that has nearly everything you can think of, so I think I'll go by there tomorrow and see if they have any Dana 44's laying around. Thanks for the pictures and advice, I needed both before I really cost myself some bucks by busting it wide open!
Last edited by Klondike; Apr 16, 2006 at 03:00 PM.
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