Hi!

Need some advice on my 1978 F150 4x4 front axle (which I believe is a Dana 44):

After changing balljoints I realized that I could not fit the grease nipple to the upper balljoint, due to interference with the universal joint. Also, after having followed the instruction for balljoint preload the adjusting sleeve for the upper balljoint does not fully fit into the knuckle but sticks out appr 1mm requiring a washer/spacer under the balljoint nut. Either something is wrong with the balljoints or the bore for the lower joint is worn which would move the knuckle upward in relation to the axle, and maybe explain the grease nipple issue??

Would appreciate your advice here, do you have enough clearance for the grease nipple at the bottom of the upper balljoint? If not, how do you lubricate the joint, by removing the driveshaft? I could put a brass shim around the taper of the lower joint, and by that move the knuckle down, have done that on steering balljoints, but never on axle joints which are heavily loaded...

One additional issue: when jacking up one side of the truck to change wheels oil started to leak from the axle housing at the universal joint. There does not seem to be a seal, at least I did not found anything when removing the drive shaft.....???

Merry X-mas /ekkehard

 

I would double check that you have the right balljoint, going in the right place.

As for the axle seal, it is inside the pumpkin. You'll have to remove both axle shafts, pop the cover and pull the carrier out.

 

Checked the balljoints, they are OK and in the right place. Do you have access to the grease nipple beneath the upper balljoint with the driveshaft in place? Will check the other side to see whether the tapered seat in the knuckle is worn.

Regarding the oil seal I had a look at the exploded view in the Ford manual. I found a slinger behind the universal joint (against the axle housing) as well as a guide and a seal close to the differential. Are spare parts still available, - any idea where to look?

Merry X-mas from Sweden

/ekkehard

 

I got my seals and slingers from broncograveyard. They're in the dana 44 parts menu.