Dana 44
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
Dana 44
I'm new to this forum and see that folks on here could most likely answer any of my questions. I have a 1954 F100 that I'm doing a ground up restore on. On any previous Ford rebuilds and customs, I have only dealt with the Ford 9". This, according to what I read, has a Dana 44 rear. With the rear end on jack stands, I spin one wheel, the pinion yoke turns, but the opposite wheel does not spin. I go to the other side and spin that wheel, the pinion yoke turns, but again, the opposite wheel doesn't spin.
Any rear axles I've seen, the wheels will turn opposite ways if it's an unlocked unit or they will both spin the same way if it's locked.
So.....I'm not sure if this is somehow normal for this unit or if there is something broken inside.
I'm going to take it apart to see what I can find out, but I'm not to that point yet for several weeks. I was hoping someone has had enough experience with these to give me a heads up.
Thank you in advance for any info you can give me.
Any rear axles I've seen, the wheels will turn opposite ways if it's an unlocked unit or they will both spin the same way if it's locked.
So.....I'm not sure if this is somehow normal for this unit or if there is something broken inside.
I'm going to take it apart to see what I can find out, but I'm not to that point yet for several weeks. I was hoping someone has had enough experience with these to give me a heads up.
Thank you in advance for any info you can give me.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 336
From: Bakersfield, CA
If you hold the pinion yoke still(like it would be in an operational vehicle), then what does the other wheel do when turning one of them by hand?
If you want to see results like other cars, you must run tests in conditions similar to other cars. (the pinion yoke would normally be unable to move because it'd be hooked to a driveshaft/trans/engine).
If you want to see results like other cars, you must run tests in conditions similar to other cars. (the pinion yoke would normally be unable to move because it'd be hooked to a driveshaft/trans/engine).
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 102
Likes: 38
From: Central NJ
Could be a few things, from a stuck axle bearing to as simple as stuck brakes on one side. D44 is not difficult to take down. I'm assuming you tried turning the side that doesn't move, and it didn't turn. If both sides turn, but only one side turns with the pinion yoke, I'm guessing the side that turns just has less resistance. Pull the drums and report back with your findings.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
Thank you for the replies. I will take it apart.to see what's going on. As I had mentioned in my post, both wheels turn freely, but independent of one another.(brakes and bearing not stuck) When the truck is on jack stands I spin one wheel by hand, the yoke turns, but the other wheel doesn't. I go to the other wheel and spin it and again the yoke turns but the opposite wheel doesn't. A locked rear will make both wheels turn the same direction. An unlocked rear will allow both wheels to turn, but in opposite directions.
Rear axle is on the ground now, so I will set it on stands in a few days.
Thanks again for the replies.
Rear axle is on the ground now, so I will set it on stands in a few days.
Thanks again for the replies.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 336
From: Bakersfield, CA
There is more than likely nothing wrong with your rear end, please don't take it apart. Put a long bar through the yoke to make sure it can't turn then proceed to turn one tire with both tires off the ground.
Differentials are pretty simple (work or don't work) things. I'd bet yours is just fine.
Differentials are pretty simple (work or don't work) things. I'd bet yours is just fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
There is more than likely nothing wrong with your rear end, please don't take it apart. Put a long bar through the yoke to make sure it can't turn then proceed to turn one tire with both tires off the ground.
Differentials are pretty simple (work or don't work) things. I'd bet yours is just fine.
Differentials are pretty simple (work or don't work) things. I'd bet yours is just fine.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
Thanks. I hope you're correct !! I'll get it on stands soon and check per your instructions. This is a complete frame off restore so I've got parts all over my shop. I'll keep you informed what I find. Thanks again.
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
One thing to be sure of is that you're never too old to learn something !!
I finally got the axle on jack stands, and blocked the yoke from turning. I turned one wheel and the other turned the opposite direction. Switching sides with the same results.
Thanks to mOROTBREATH, bigwin56f100 and SRGN for walking me through that before I tore it down and found nothing wrong.!!!!!! It will still get new gaskets and seals.
Thanks again.
I finally got the axle on jack stands, and blocked the yoke from turning. I turned one wheel and the other turned the opposite direction. Switching sides with the same results.
Thanks to mOROTBREATH, bigwin56f100 and SRGN for walking me through that before I tore it down and found nothing wrong.!!!!!! It will still get new gaskets and seals.
Thanks again.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Jefferson City, MO
welcome to FTE! We need pictures.
I would recommend you get the master parts catalog. It's free and extremely useful: https://charpindustries.com/diagrams/
It's two pdf files one is exploded diagrams and the other is text with all part numbers
I would recommend you get the master parts catalog. It's free and extremely useful: https://charpindustries.com/diagrams/
It's two pdf files one is exploded diagrams and the other is text with all part numbers
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
I have another question for you, since you were so helpful earlier. I cannot pull the ales. I assume that the bearing outer race is probably corroded and stuck. Before I attach a chain and my porta power to it, I just want to make sure there is nothing in the differential holding them in place. I don't see anything. I used a 3 lb. dead blow hammer on the flange to see if it would break loose, but that didn't budge it..
Have you run into this before and if you have, how did you pull them?
Thanks for your help.
Have you run into this before and if you have, how did you pull them?
Thanks for your help.
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 12
Likes: 3
From: Coal Valley, Il
One of the seals is leaking. I'm going to replace them both. I'll do a closer inspection. A friend, another car and truck restorer, and I were looking yesterday and couldn't see either a c clip or a pin that may be holding them in.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,361
Likes: 1,723
From: AKRON ohio
The Dana 44 uses bearing retainers that bolt to the end of the axle housing . No c- clips
once you unbolt the retainer, usually you need a slide hammer attached to the axle flange to pull the axle
im still running the 44 in a truck I race and thankfully they don't run c clips as I've twisted off axles and since they bolt on they stay in. If it were a clip design the axle would have walked out during the run down the track.
once you unbolt the retainer, usually you need a slide hammer attached to the axle flange to pull the axle
im still running the 44 in a truck I race and thankfully they don't run c clips as I've twisted off axles and since they bolt on they stay in. If it were a clip design the axle would have walked out during the run down the track.