I'm in the process of cleaning up the parts on my Dana 44 and noticed that there is a tab/ear missing on each of my backing plates. Same side on each one. What are their purpose? Can I weld new pieces on? Continue to use as is? Or must they be replaced? For the last option, What years might be interchangeable?
Thanks.
john

 

You know I've been looking at that piece for 50 years now without ever giving it any thought. But since you asked. The only purpose I can think of for that piece is to stop the piston from falling out of the wheel cylinder if it is way out of adjustment.

You should probably replace them. However if it was on my truck, it would be on my searching parts list and I wouldn't hesitate in driving the truck like that. Just make sure your brakes stay adjusted.

 

You don't have a Dana 44 rear axle if you have an F250, you have a Dana 60.

Tabs made as part of the backing plates.

B9T-2211-A Right & B9T-2212-A Left .. Backing Plates / Obsolete

2WD/4WD: 1957/65 F250; 1966 F250 with 12 1/8" x 2" brakes; ditto 1967 before serial number B12,001.

GREEN SALES CO. has 2 right sides (800-543-4959). No one has the left side.

 

Thanks ND. My '66 is an F100 with the Dana 44. The '64 has a Dana 60.
Ericj, I've had the truck for a couple years and never noticed them until now. I will probably replace them if the opportunity shows it self.