Flanged Axle Removal?

[Nomad127]

Well, I finally got everything together so I took my '73 CJ5 on a road test today. About an hour after I got back, I noticed a puddle of oil under my rear tires. I'm getting about 1/8" of play in both axles with the wheels off and they're obviously puking diff oil. I now know why my brakes were getting worse throughout the drive.

Anyway, being a Dana 44 with flanged axles, how do I remove these things for replacement?

 

[fitzp20102]

There should be a bearing retainer plate, that bolts onto the axle flange on the housing. That retainer plate should have a seal on the backside that holds all that diff oil in. There should be a hole in the axle flange so you can get a socket thru the hole in the axle flange and onto the bearing retainer plate. Remove the 4 bearing retainer bolts and the axle should slide out. Remembering to factor in added difficulty accounting for vehicle age.

 

[Nomad127]

I'm counting 6 bolts (actually nuts). Would that make any difference to the process?

 

[Nomad127]

Got it! Took off the 6 bolts and pulled it right off. Any recommendations on what axles to put back in it?

 

[fitzp20102]

Depends on what you are doing with it. Daily driver and general street fun with random trail or beach time? Put stock back in it. The 44 is pretty stout all by itself. Slap on some new bearings and seals and bolt it back together. Big tires and lift and serious off road? Maybe chromoly shafts? As far as shaft upgrades go, if different manufacturers claim similar strength, and manufacturer processes, I do a survey in a forum like this to see, if anyone has good or bad experiences with the manufacturer.

 

[73CJ]

I put a Warn full floater axle kit in. Love it.

There are still some around.

I twisted a stock axle with 36 Swampers and a Detroit locker.

Good luck

 

[Nomad127]

For now, I'm going with just replacing the bearings and seals. I'm finding some places that sell the bearing, outer seal, inner seal, and retaining ring and others that only sell (with diagrams) the bearing, retaining ring and the outer seal. What do I actually need and if I need the inner axle seal, where does it go? Thanks.

 

[Nomad127]

I removed the bearings from the axles and each have grooves where a previous owner was a little too aggressive with his cut-off wheel. These grooves would prevent the seals from sealing properly, correct? Am I looking at new axles shafts now?

 

[JR74CJ5]

Don't have much help for you Nomad, but i have a Dana 44 thats leaking also, so was interested in this thread... Seeing as it's unfinished, Consider this a bump back up to the top

 

[Nomad127]

I spoke to guys at KrawlTex which is conveniently located a few blocks away. They said that if the marks aren't too deep, it shouldn't be a problem. they were more concerned with the condition of the bearings. I plan to put both axles together and installed tomorrow or Saturday and see if it's still leaking.

 

[Nomad127]

So, I took the axles to KrawlTex today and after they looked at the cuts, they thought that could be the reason for the leaks. They just quickly welded and ground down the gouges and pressed the bearings on for me. I never even thought about filling up the cuts but it saved me $300 in new axle shafts.

 

[JR74CJ5]

NICE!

~ JR

 

[derf]

So, I took the axles to KrawlTex today and after they looked at the cuts, they thought that could be the reason for the leaks. They just quickly welded and ground down the gouges and pressed the bearings on for me. I never even thought about filling up the cuts but it saved me $300 in new axle shafts.

I've dealt with those guys back when I lived in Austin. They're a good shop to deal with.

Glad to hear you got it fixed.