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So when I was replacing my half shaft u-joints I had the driver rear side lifted with the tire off the ground and the other 3 tires on the ground.
Basically to reach the u-joints I turned the driver side rear hub (the direction as if the vehicle was moving in reverse) while the other rear tire was still on the ground. I was met with some resistance and before I realized that was bad, it gave way and I heard a clunk and what I imagine means it snapped onto the next tooth of the gear set or something. Sounded and felt terrible and I quickly got the other side in the air before repeating my mistake. From what I can tell the car drives the same.
I'm pretty uneducated when it comes to all this (duh) so give it to me straight, how much havoc did I wreak internally on the Dana 44 there?
So when I was replacing my half shaft u-joints I had the driver rear side lifted with the tire off the ground and the other 3 tires on the ground.
Basically to reach the u-joints I turned the driver side rear hub (the direction as if the vehicle was moving in reverse) while the other rear tire was still on the ground. I was met with some resistance and before I realized that was bad, it gave way and I heard a clunk and what I imagine means it snapped onto the next tooth of the gear set or something. Sounded and felt terrible and I quickly got the other side in the air before repeating my mistake. From what I can tell the car drives the same.
I'm pretty uneducated when it comes to all this (duh) so give it to me straight, how much havoc did I wreak internally on the Dana 44 there?
I'm trying to visualize what exactly you did. Were you using a pry bar or just turning by hand? If you were just turning the hub by hand I can't imagine you broke anything. I've wrenched on my D44 pretty hard swapping parts and never had an issue. I would guess your fine especially if it drove fine after.
I can't imagine you doing any damage by hand, think of it like this if you had the left side on ice and right on pavement you wouldn't damage anything as long as you don't overdo. So no point no fowl I'm more concerned concerned that you were able move it by hand
You must be a very strong man to slip the clutches by hand. I would have bet cash money that was not possible. I will bet a large amount of cash money it is not possible for any man alive could strip the main gears by hand. Dan
You must be a very strong man to slip the clutches by hand. I would have bet cash money that was not possible. I will bet a large amount of cash money it is not possible for any man alive could strip the main gears by hand. Dan
AH yes I seem to have forgot the detail I did use a prybar between the wheel studs for leverage unfortunately
I agree. I don't think you hurt anything at all. I think you, somehow, managed to put enough torque into that one side that you caused the differential clutch to allow some slip. But anytime you turn a tight corner the diff is slipping a little anyway. I'm more glad that it slipped, because if it didn't you could have moved the opposite side tire enough to roll the car off the jack you were using. ☠️
Thanks everyone for putting me at ease! I just knew the noise and feeling didn't seem good! Glad to hear I didn't mess anything up too bad (I will not be doing it again anyway)
When I did my 1/2 shaft u joints I had both rear wheels off the ground and trans in neutral. I removed the outer strap bolts from under the car 2 bolts at a time at the bottom. Then, through the wheel well the inner strap bolts on top 2 bolts at a time. Use a long extension. Then rotate 180 and do it again.
When I did my 1/2 shaft u joints I had both rear wheels off the ground and trans in neutral. I removed the outer strap bolts from under the car 2 bolts at a time at the bottom. Then, through the wheel well the inner strap bolts on top 2 bolts at a time. Use a long extension. Then rotate 180 and do it again.
Yep that's exactly how I ended up doing it. Then I just repeated those steps on the other side and took it for a test drive. Still heard a noise coming from the rear but it was a little different than before so I inspected the work I had just done and found one strap wasn't fully seated. Got the u-joint seated exactly where it should be and then snugged up the bolts and all has been well since that!
Getting a very minor clunk from the drive shaft u-joints now, so that will be put on my to-do list (probably will wait till I'm ready to do the clutch)
Sometimes if the rear of the car is on jackstands at the frame, and wheels fully hanging the 1/2 shaft u-joints bind a little. Thats probably what you heard or felt.
It's possible the u-joint caps are pushed in and contacting the ends of the u-joint.
When I did mine I made a tool that was used to both remove the old caps a put the cross of the u-joint once the new u-joint was installed. I hope you understand this, put the caps on the u-joint and clips. Then once in, push on the crosses to push the caps out against the retaining clips. If the caps are tight, that could be the source of your noise. I did mine while it was still disasembled, don't know how easy once reassembled. This was designed to work in a hydraulic press and the cupped ends are so it fits on round things like the caps.
How much damage did I cause...
