I had a buddy help me haul the front axle housing into my basement so that I can work on it this winter, along with so many other parts of my restoration. I never had any issues with it, but it was horrible inside. The ring was missing two teeth, the bearings were chewed up, and there was some kind of homemade slinger behind the pinion.
My issue is that the gear is a 4.41. It must be aftermarket? I have 4.10's in the rear. Can I put 4.10's back into the front? If so, do I need to compensate for anything in the transfer case? It's not easy to just go buy another 4.41 (I don't think), so I'm looking at the best option to get this resolved.

*This is a Dana 44. Is the ring size 8.5" or 8.8"?

 

How did you come up with 4.41?
Even if the ring gear was 44 tooth and 10 tooth pinion you would have 4.4 ratio. How do u get the 4.41? Anyway pretty sure that's not even an option for a ratio. I think you have 4.09 gears which is what is installed in a front diff from the factory. That would be 45 tooth ring and 11 tooth pinion. Easy math 45 divided by 11 which is actually 4.090909
Ford had a reason for this, maybe to make up for when it goes through tcase or something. Anyways just throw a new 4:10 set in there and it will be fine

 

That makes a heck of a lot more sense. Both the ring and pinion have 4.41 engraved on them. That's what threw me off. It is a 45 tooth ring, so I feel a lot better about that.

 

Yes, i have noticed fronts having 409s and rears havint 410s. Call Randys Ring and pinion, (or whoever you prefer) and order a setup kit and a new "quiet" 409 or 410 gear set. The set up kit will have the new oil slingers and everything you need. Good luck.