Unremoveable Pinion Gear
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 10
From: Woodway, Texas
Unremoveable Pinion Gear
Fellow Vetters:
Have any of you ever had a Dana 44 with a pinion gear that couldn’t be removed? I bought a used unit to put some big gears in, and the transmission shop could not press out the 3.45 pinion gear. The fellow who owns the shop says he’s never seen that before! So, now I’m stuck with a stock rear end that I have no use for, unless one of you knows a secret trick to remove it!
Thsnks in advance.
SnorT91Man
Have any of you ever had a Dana 44 with a pinion gear that couldn’t be removed? I bought a used unit to put some big gears in, and the transmission shop could not press out the 3.45 pinion gear. The fellow who owns the shop says he’s never seen that before! So, now I’m stuck with a stock rear end that I have no use for, unless one of you knows a secret trick to remove it!
Thsnks in advance.
SnorT91Man
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
What did the ring gear look like? Dull gray bearing is stuck. A little heat on the bearing and a press might get it apart. Black and burnt bearing could have welded itself to pinion. It still heat bearing and a larger press.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 10
From: Woodway, Texas
Clarification
The differential was full of relatively clean oil and the pinion turned freely when I removed the batwing/cover. However, it sat around my shop under a blanket for several months before I took it to the transmission shop. Even then, the pinion and ring gear still turned easily. The tranny guy said it was a great shape with little wear, but there were signs of an old wasp nest inside the carrier! There was no discolorization of any of the gears. Anyway, the overall condition didn't warrant breaking the housing to remove the pinion. So, any more ideas?
SnorT91Man
SnorT91Man
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
A little heat on the bearing and a 10 ton press shouldn't damage housing. Provided bearing is just stuck. Once pinion breaks loose from the bearing, the pressure required to continue to move pinion drops substantially. If you have a really big drill press, drill a hole through bearing race as close as possible to pinion. Try to split bearing race. You could call a heavy truck or equipment shop. Industrial machine shop for ideas.
