Dana 44 differential
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Dana 44 differential
Last season I had a problem at the track with doing a burnout when the rear was cold, only one tire would spin and it would make crazy noises. I changed the lube, and all was well. Now I was looking for a noise I heard at the track yesterday and found nothing wrong under the car. But... I can take the tires when in the is in the air and turn them opposite ways. I could hold one and turn it, or the other. I'm thinking my diff is shot since I can do this. If it is are there any aftermarket ones for the Dana 44 or are you stuck with the stock units?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Dana 44 differential (RichS)
Rich, same thing happened to me with my Dana 36(I think you were there).
Only, my axles were locked together, I still haven't taken apart yet to see exactly what happened.
Only, my axles were locked together, I still haven't taken apart yet to see exactly what happened.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Dana 44 differential (RichS)
If the Dana 44 is similar to the 8.5" 10 bolt GM diff, when the clutch packs go you have two options:
1.) Rebuild the limited slip using new clutch packs. This is the cheapest route, you don't have to replace the gears.
2.) Go with a better limited slip unit. Jegs has a couple of brands. The drawback to switching the limited slip (as opposed to replacing the clutch packs) is that you'll need to replace the gears because the lash will change and since your gears have broken in to the present settings, they'll never run right.
Eric
1.) Rebuild the limited slip using new clutch packs. This is the cheapest route, you don't have to replace the gears.
2.) Go with a better limited slip unit. Jegs has a couple of brands. The drawback to switching the limited slip (as opposed to replacing the clutch packs) is that you'll need to replace the gears because the lash will change and since your gears have broken in to the present settings, they'll never run right.
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 24
From: Freehold, NJ
Re: Dana 44 differential (RichS)
Rich,
Your clutch packs are shot. On my Dad's car, it takes considerable effort to spin the wheels in opposite directions while on the lift (it's the first thing I check any time the vette is on the lift). I am surprised at how wheel the stock diff has held up as we have close to 200 runs on it.
As others have suggested it's time for a rebuild or a new one. This explains why you are having traction problems.
Your clutch packs are shot. On my Dad's car, it takes considerable effort to spin the wheels in opposite directions while on the lift (it's the first thing I check any time the vette is on the lift). I am surprised at how wheel the stock diff has held up as we have close to 200 runs on it.
As others have suggested it's time for a rebuild or a new one. This explains why you are having traction problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Dana 44 differential (RichS)
I was told by omeone watching my last races that one tire would stop spinning momentarily during my burnout. :( Looks like I better save some cash to fix it when it finally goes.
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