Closed knuckle axle question
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Closed knuckle axle question
I have a 72 F250 4x4 with a closed knuckle Dana 44. I have had 4x4 trucks before but never with a closed knuckle. My question is, do I have to put oil in the closed knuckles? If so, which weight. They were leaking slowly this past summer but have stopped. Thanks for the help.
Matt
Matt
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From: Inthepast
Closed knuckle axle question
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There is a fill plug on each knuckle at the 9:00 o'clock position as if looking at it from the back. These actually call for 50 wt motor oil, but my preference is a sludge I make using 90 wt gear oil and a compatible wheel bearing grease. These are notorious for leaking out. The fact that the knuckles on your truck have stopped leaking tells me that the knuckle is probably empty. If these have never been serviced it may be time to pull the axle down to see what you have in there. Leaving it to chance may spell big trouble down the road because the axle joint or knuckle bearings for instance could easily be worn.
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There is a fill plug on each knuckle at the 9:00 o'clock position as if looking at it from the back. These actually call for 50 wt motor oil, but my preference is a sludge I make using 90 wt gear oil and a compatible wheel bearing grease. These are notorious for leaking out. The fact that the knuckles on your truck have stopped leaking tells me that the knuckle is probably empty. If these have never been serviced it may be time to pull the axle down to see what you have in there. Leaving it to chance may spell big trouble down the road because the axle joint or knuckle bearings for instance could easily be worn.
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From: Inthepast
Closed knuckle axle question
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Yeah! How do that wiper seal know to keep the mud & water in, but let the grease ooze out? I like the sludge for just the reason you suspect. The inner u-joint is technically sealed so it must be greased well when it is installed. That said, the lube in this knuckle is technically only for the upper and lower knuckle bearings because the wheel bearings are seperate, as is the differential.
Before I assembled the knuckle, I loaded the upper and lower bearings with a quality wheel bearing grease using a "bearing packer". I last serviced my '67's axle about 6 years ago. It is due to be pulled apart for maintenence soon. I guess I will see how I did then.
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Yeah! How do that wiper seal know to keep the mud & water in, but let the grease ooze out? I like the sludge for just the reason you suspect. The inner u-joint is technically sealed so it must be greased well when it is installed. That said, the lube in this knuckle is technically only for the upper and lower knuckle bearings because the wheel bearings are seperate, as is the differential.
Before I assembled the knuckle, I loaded the upper and lower bearings with a quality wheel bearing grease using a "bearing packer". I last serviced my '67's axle about 6 years ago. It is due to be pulled apart for maintenence soon. I guess I will see how I did then.
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Closed knuckle axle question
Why not just pump grease in there. It worked for me. How the hell does the top bearing get any lube anyways?
--------------------------------------
1972 Ford F-250 4x4 Dana 60/14 Bolt
4.88's, detroits, 40" Hawgs, rear PTO
winch, 390 c.i., N.P. 435, Dana 24
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--------------------------------------
1972 Ford F-250 4x4 Dana 60/14 Bolt
4.88's, detroits, 40" Hawgs, rear PTO
winch, 390 c.i., N.P. 435, Dana 24
---------------------------------------
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Closed knuckle axle question
It seems that the original idea was that when the knuckle is filled to the bottom of the hole that the action of the u-joint would sling the oil up onto the bearing. I used 90 Wt. in mine when I had one of these. They require a lot of maintanence- I used to replace the seals every fall.
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From: Inthepast
Closed knuckle axle question
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The slinging effect is the key to lubing the top bearing. I have heard that you could drill for a zerk fitting to be able to pump grease directly to each bearing. I never tried it myself.[/FONT]
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The slinging effect is the key to lubing the top bearing. I have heard that you could drill for a zerk fitting to be able to pump grease directly to each bearing. I never tried it myself.[/FONT]
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Posting Guru
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From: Racine WI
Closed knuckle axle question
anyplace I could see an exploded view of one of these knucles, I'm particularly interested in the trunion bearings ? they use trunion bearings instead of ball joints like on a reg dana 44 ? are these axles strong ? I have a disc brake dana 44 open knucle out of a 77, should i change it out and avoid the closed knuckle like the plague or what ?
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