"Clacking" from DANA 44 front?
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Elder User
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From: Westminster, Colorado
"Clacking" from DANA 44 front?
Just curious what I am hearing.....It snowed here, so I locked my hubs in case I needed 4WD, but did not engage the t-fer case, just left it in 2H. I seem to hear a clacking noise from the front end while driving this way. This seems to be a new noise....what would it be?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Golden, CO
OK, I'll bite!
It could be the u-joints at the spindles, or in the front drive shaft. It could also be the slip yoke on the drive shaft. If your front diff has a limited slip, it could be that, but I'm thinking not likely.
Since you are gonna be down there shaking and twisting the front driveline, you might as well take a grease gun and hit every zirk you see. I hope it turns out to be cheap and easy.
BTW, what did the shop find cracked when you had the WP done?
It could be the u-joints at the spindles, or in the front drive shaft. It could also be the slip yoke on the drive shaft. If your front diff has a limited slip, it could be that, but I'm thinking not likely.
Since you are gonna be down there shaking and twisting the front driveline, you might as well take a grease gun and hit every zirk you see. I hope it turns out to be cheap and easy.
BTW, what did the shop find cracked when you had the WP done?
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Elder User
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From: Westminster, Colorado
Intake manifold! Cracked and missing chunks at the corners! JOY!
So, now I have a brand new Edelbrock 2105 manifold on there. Headers will need to be replaced soon, as the oil pan is my last oil leak from the engine, and the current header set has one pressed up against the block and pan so that is cannot be removed.
As far as the front goes....it could be the driveshaft/u-joints...I have not replaced that one yet....I'll grease it up and see how that helps...
So, now I have a brand new Edelbrock 2105 manifold on there. Headers will need to be replaced soon, as the oil pan is my last oil leak from the engine, and the current header set has one pressed up against the block and pan so that is cannot be removed.
As far as the front goes....it could be the driveshaft/u-joints...I have not replaced that one yet....I'll grease it up and see how that helps...
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From: in the springs
may want to take a hard look at those ujoints before you need em and they decide to blow up. the front driveline normally just sits idle if you have the hubs locked out ( i have a large enough tear in a dust boot on the floor to see the front end and it doesnt spin) and they get easily forgotten my front end started doing that a while back did some looking and had 3 of the four front end u joints completly shot.
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Elder User
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From: Westminster, Colorado
Well, I know the front Driveshaft needs attention.....I replaced the rear one a couple of years back and have just let the front one sit. It does have a slight ding in the side, so it needs to be replaced....Mines pretty short though...and I think I only have 2 U-joints....unless I am mistaken. One thing I have noticed though.....even with the front hubs "free", and the T-fer case in "2H," the front driveshaft does slightly spin when driving....a friend told me when they drove along side of me......and I have seen the same on other trucks on the highway....is there something I should do while replacing the u-joints and driveshaft to stop that idle spinning?
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From: in the springs
when i said 4 ujoint i meant the two in the driveline and the one in each front axle shaft. as far as it still spinning check your hubs and make sure the grease on the hubs isnt old it may not be allowing the axle shaft to fully disengage from the hub. the joints in the front axle shafts are internally clipped non greasable units.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Golden, CO
Originally Posted by Fritolay
. as far as it still spinning check your hubs and make sure the grease on the hubs isnt old it may not be allowing the axle shaft to fully disengage from the hub.
Hey Chris, I think I'm headed for P-N-S tomorrow, I'll keep my eyes open for a good replacement. If you wanted to drive the 17 miles to Golden you could always ride with.
Mike
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Elder User
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From: Westminster, Colorado
I've been there a couple of times....but they rarely seem to have trucks of our vintage...let me know what you find.....also, if you have not checked them already, Truckford is another good source for reclaimed parts...and they are real close to Golden, Hampden and Knox, I think....
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Golden, CO
It was a wash for drivelines today. A month ago I was there and saw at least 2 or 3 F-250s with the integral transfer case. Today I saw 2 of the divorced T-cases, and a couple Broncos.
Usually it's a waste of time to look for a driveline there. They get trashed by the front end loader that sets the cars out. The exception is a front shaft, if it's short. Quite a few of those are unscathed by the equipment.
I remember calling Truckford when I lived in Aurora, someone closer had a better price that time.
If the slip-yoke isn't worn out you can have your shaft re-tubed. I don't even know of a good driveline shop to send you to now. I had one place just North of I-70 shorten and re-balance my current, that was a good 10 years ago. Even then I was a little POd. The guy showed me a little wear in my slip-yoke, but he couldn't get a replacement!?! The work he did was acceptable otherwise. I've made it a mission to keep the thing greased.
Usually it's a waste of time to look for a driveline there. They get trashed by the front end loader that sets the cars out. The exception is a front shaft, if it's short. Quite a few of those are unscathed by the equipment.
I remember calling Truckford when I lived in Aurora, someone closer had a better price that time.
If the slip-yoke isn't worn out you can have your shaft re-tubed. I don't even know of a good driveline shop to send you to now. I had one place just North of I-70 shorten and re-balance my current, that was a good 10 years ago. Even then I was a little POd. The guy showed me a little wear in my slip-yoke, but he couldn't get a replacement!?! The work he did was acceptable otherwise. I've made it a mission to keep the thing greased.
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From: Westminster, Colorado
When I replaced my rear driveshaft....I ordered it out of someplace in Ohio, I think...got the number from one of those "Classic ford supplier reference" guides. Seems like it was only around $250 with shipping included....and it fit great!
Posting Legend
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The tacky grease in the xfer case will make the driveline spin. It is one of the reasons that a 4WD will always get lower gas mileage than a 2WD even disengaged as long as everything else is equal.
There is one advantage to having it at least move. -You don't get fretting corrosion in the bearings, joints, etc. Bet you guys haven't heard of that one tho... It was kind of discovered when intermodal trucking was first introduced and bearings on the trailers were failing. People had noticed it b4 but it had not been as important.
http://www.corrosionsource.com/handb.../cps_a_frc.htm
http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Forms/fretting.htm
If you want more info:
Google: fretting corrosion bearing
You have probably had TMI already tho!
There is one advantage to having it at least move. -You don't get fretting corrosion in the bearings, joints, etc. Bet you guys haven't heard of that one tho... It was kind of discovered when intermodal trucking was first introduced and bearings on the trailers were failing. People had noticed it b4 but it had not been as important.
http://www.corrosionsource.com/handb.../cps_a_frc.htm
http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Forms/fretting.htm
If you want more info:
Google: fretting corrosion bearing
You have probably had TMI already tho!
Last edited by Torque1st; Oct 31, 2006 at 04:38 AM.
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From: Westminster, Colorado
lol.....went to grease it up before the snow came only to see that the "zirk" fitting was completely missing from at least one of the u-joints. Looks like I'm getting a new front driveshaft soon!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Aw the old spinning drive line. Ford says to use 50wt lube in some T-cases and Trannys.. this is listed in Operators Manual. 90wt. in front u-join knuckles Plus lock hubs about every 1000 miles or 3 months.And drive about 10 miles, this will throw lube up to the upper king pins and lube the axle u-joint plus the inner axle spindle bushing.
Mind is Np 435 tran & dana 24 divorced use 50wt lube.. my 2cents
orich
Mind is Np 435 tran & dana 24 divorced use 50wt lube.. my 2cents
orich
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From: nevada
darn u-bolts
Last week while leaving for work, I backed out of the driveway and got into the 390 a little too much. Normally it would spin the 33's in second gear, but had a load of tools in the back and the 55 gal fuel tank was full, so had the rear of the driveshaft laying on the road bouncing around. Popped one of the u bolts. So 12 minutes later i had the shaft laying in the bed, and after locking the fronts in, drove to work in time for coffee. Doesnt some company make a hardened bolt? The parts store guy asked me if I wanted the cheap u joint or a more expensive one. I asked what the dif was, and he said the ones with no zerk were case hardened and stronger. I have always used the zerk joints, and never had a prob, but bought the $14 one. And of course new bolts. Maybe popping a shaft is better than breaking the rear end. Been there, done that.
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From: in the springs
if you don't like the way the u bolts snap try this out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-M...QQcmdZViewItem
