I have my dana 44 apart to install an aussie locker.

I have 2 questions
1. Should there be a bearing on the driver side of the pumpkin, there is one on the passenger side:


But there is not one on the drivers side:


Here's a zoomed out picture of the drivers side:



Question 2:
I replaced the carrier bearings, keeping the existing shims on the sides that they came off of. I cannot get the carrier to slide into the case, and I have tried pressing the carrier bearings again to make sure they are seated as far as possible.

Is there something else I should try before trying to remove shims from each side to get enough clearance to get the carrier in?

 

Cant answer the bearing if it should be or not be there.


You will have to remove shims to get it to fit. thing is you need to remove the same amount from each side to keep the carrier centered, that is if the new bearings are the same measurements each side.
You will need to check back lash and gear pattern and adjust shims as needed.


You now found out why you don't change carrier and/or pinion bearing unless bad and it is rare you find bad bearings in a front axle as it is hardly ever used.
Dave ----

 

Stand back and stare at how the ttb is made. The driver's side axle is supported by the carrier bearing on the inside, and the small needle bearing in the spindle. It can be this way because the axle moves in conjunction with the axle beam on that side. The diff housing and the axle housing are all one piece.

The pass side is different. The axle housing is not part of the diff housing. It moves independent, that's why there are more u-joints and a slip joint in the pass side axle. Because of this, it needs another small support bearing where it leaves the diff housing.

 

Good to know that there's not one missing. The carrier bearing was bad on that side, and the axle came from a junkyard, so I figured it worth double checking.

 

The "right" way to get the diff back into a Dana housing is to flex the cast iron housing a little to open it up and let the carrier drop in. They make housing spreaders for Dana diffs to do that. Otherwise I guess it's just a tight fit and you've got to rap it in. (I've heard that Dana axles are about the worst to set up gears in)

 

I'm gonna look into a case spreader, or something of that sort to get it in. I've been googling around, and I seem to be getting that answer as well. The case needs to be a bit smaller than the carrier. It also needed a bit of pry bar work to get it out.

The bearings are pressed tight all way down for sure, the shims are the same, so I'll have to find a way to get it in.

Thanks for the help guys.

Jason

 

But cant be too tight or the load on the carrier bearing will be too much and wipe them out don't ask how I know this.
And yes they are a PITA to set up.
Dave ----

 

I used to watch some YouTube videos by a guy named Derek Schwartz that gets into a slugfest with one but ultimately gets it done. .

 

I've removed and replaced the differential carrier in lots of Dana axles over the years and I've never used a case spreader. Sure, it would make the job easier but IMO its not necessary. Its not supposed to slide in easily, they're designed to fit snug inside the case to provide enough preload on the side bearings since there is no way to adjust them after its installed. I use a mallet on the races and work back and forth, tapping it in place until its in far enough to put the caps on.

 

I got mine in today without really any trouble.

I let the third member sit upside down on top of the wood stove for about 5 min. It got a little warm to the touch and it slid it with small taps from a hammer.