Hello,
I'm new to the thread posting but here it goes. I have a 73 F250 4x4 Highboy with a Dana 44-6CF-HD Axle. The bearings for the steering knuckle are starting to go bad and need to be replaced. I also want to replace the unitized seal(wiper seal?) that attaches to the rear of the steering knuckle that keeps the 90wt in that lubes those bearings (there is grease in there now, from the previous owner). Any ideas as to where to get the seal? And should I go back to using the 90wt instead of the grease? Thanks for the input.

 

I was under the impression the 6CF 44 was only made for 76-77 model years and was an open knuckle disc brake version of the closed knuckle HD 44. Does the axle housing have 44-6CF cast into it? Can't help with the wiper seal, but all the closed knuckle axles I've owned have been packed with grease. I'm no 70's closed knuckle expert, but I do know my old Napco 4x4 stuff pretty well and they were factory lubed with grease in the knuckles, but they had Rzeppa joints and required an ample supply of grease. If it were mine, I think I'd drill an angled through the king pin caps and put a zerk in it so I could just put a couple pumps in the trunnions every month or so. I see no reason to fill the knuckle with grease or gear oil.

 

I have an old set of Ford manuals that show the 44-6CF as the axle I have... closed Knuckle, external hubs and drum brakes; so I am pretty sure its correct. But I have not found the actual casting number on the axle. Drilling the king pin caps is an idea I haven't thought of, and a damn good one. And keeping it full of grease would eliminate the need for a new wiper seal. But I do have to change out the bearings in the steering Knuckle and I am afraid of ruining the wiper seal thats on it. I called ford and the wiper seal is obsolete, and I have a couple of calls in to some local auto parts stores for an aftermarket seal, and no luck thus far. They have the bearings, but no seal.

 

check out one of the sponsers, bronco graveyard . they have the kits that you need

 

Roadtoad - I, too, have a Dana 6CFHD, closed knuckle, drum brake and am currently replacing all bearings, races, seals. I ordered the spindle arm seal assy from the local parts guy - no problem getting it. Part # D4TZ 3132B for my 1974 F250 4x4. My references say hypoid 90W for the axle.

On a related note, the steering knuckles have plates top and bottom that have pins on which the bearings ride. Two of the four plates on my truck are shimmed. Does anybody know what measurement I take to determine how many/what size shims are needed?

Thanks in advance.