Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Axle questions

[RJPotts]

I was messing around with my truck the other night, trying to figure out what the black nastiness that was all over the inside of my driver side rear tire was and found out that I have a Dana 44 front axle. Caught me off gaurd because I never knew that they came on these trucks.

Just wondering what kind of power they will hold, or if anyone swaps out to the Dana 60 or 70.

And a little aside... while trying to diagnose my rear brake problem, I was stopped by a drum that would not let go for anything. Anyone have any suggestions for getting the rear drums off?

I've tried WD 40, giving the drum everything from a little tappy tappy b/t the lugs to smacking the h*ll out of it, kicking it, and calling it mean names. I adjusted the star wheel all the way in so the shoes weren't touching at all and I applied and released the parking brake quite a few times. Still won't let go.

What do you all think?

Thanks and sorry for the length,

-R. J.

 

[JFaughn]

Let the WD sit for a day , then when your ready you'll need a large hammer [ I've called it a single jack ] a small sluge hammer with a short handle and hit the drum between the wheel studs [ try to avoid those ] and go to oppacent sides each hit and also go for 4 differant spots on the drum and it will jump off at least 1/8 " then you should be able to take off by hand, when off clean with wire brush and put anti seize on the axial were it touches the drum so that it comes off easyer next time .

 

[Dieseldemon]

It is rusted on keep smacking it until it lets go and dont spare the WD40 around the studs and axle

 

[surfbeetle]

I too had the rear drums stuck on and posted on TDR. The solution was to jack up the truck and set it on jackstands. Remove the rear wheels, run the lug nuts so that they are a minimum of 1/4 inch from the drum, this keeps the drums from flying off. Start the engine, put the truck in gear and get the speedo up at least 15mph. Slam on the brakes. repeat until the drums kick loose. I was skeptical at first, but it worked like a charm. By the way, I never used the WD40 method, I hate waiting...

 

[JGheen]

I would like to know just how a Dana 44 got into a 3500 truck. I highly doubt that you have a 44 under the front of that truck, Dana 60s came in all 2500-3500 diesel 4x4 trucks.



Joe

 

[ata]

I would like to know just how a Dana 44 got into a 3500 truck. I highly doubt that you have a 44 under the front of that truck, Dana 60s came in all 2500-3500 diesel 4x4 trucks.



If the truck was wrecked and whoever fixed it couldn't find a D-60 front axle but found a D-44 out of a gasser that's what they put in. It's cheaper and fits perfect. It's a little lite for the cummin's weight and power but it will work.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I would like to know just how a Dana 44 got into a 3500 truck. I highly doubt that you have a 44 under the front of that truck, Dana 60s came in all 2500-3500 diesel 4x4 trucks.



Joe

I think he's talking about the 96. Don't the 02's have rear disk?

 

[AMink]

I'm guessing that the 44 was for the regular 3/4 ton, the 2500 "heavy 3/4s" have the 60. The heavies are 8800 lbs. , the regulars are 7500 or something like that. At least that's how the 97's were sold. Please correct if I'm passing poor info.

 

[QWaller]

Regardless of year, Definitely not factory. Too much weight.

 

[RJPotts]

I cunsulted the all knowing ( :-laf right ) Haynes Manual and it says that the D44/D60 did come on these trucks. I assumed it was on lighter trucks though. It is definitely a D44 though. The truck is a std cab. so it doesn't get much lighter as far as Cummins trucks go. One way or another it's coming out and I'm going to put a D60 or 70 under it, and a D80 under the rear.

So now for my next question, are there certain years of the D70 or D60 front axle that will fit my truck, or should they all be the same.

And the same question for the D80 rear.

Thanks,

-R. J.

 

[JGheen]

Good luck finding a direct bolt in Dana 70 but 60s are all over the place. The largest bolt in rear is the 80. To run a 70 up front, you could find one, use a donor 60 for the coil buckets, brackets and such, weld it up and wah-la! custom front Dana 70 axle.



Joe

 

[DWitcher]

Just about any 94 up D60 will fit up front and the 70 is standard for the rear but if you want a D80 and keep the single rear then a cab and chassis will work as long as you don't mind seeing the rear drums inboard due to the dual wheel combo.

 

[Turbo Thom]

The Dana 44 came on the 1500 series. The 2500 and 3500 has the Dana 60. If that has changed, I don't know of it. I have all three and that's the way mine are.



Now on the rear drum, I took a skinny screw driver and used it to hold the automatic adjuster up and used the brake adjusting tool to reverse the star adjustment wheel from the way the lever moved it. My brake shoe was to tight for it come off. That did the trick.



. . Preston. .

 

[bgilbert]

Wipe your ... . with that Haynes manual. You did verify D44 stamped on the front axle? I doubt that it's a D44.

 

[RJPotts]

I could be wrong, I've just never seen a D60 without a hub sticking outside of the wheel. I was just told that a friend of mine with a 98' doesn't have a hub sticking out either though so I guess I'm just wrong, which is good.

I did adjust the star wheel all the way in and it still wouldn't come off, I'm gonna try the slam on the brakes with the wheels off method.

The whole reason I was trying to take the drums off was b/c the black stuff on the wheel/tire looked like brake fluid to me (didn't smell like dope). When I adjusted the star wheel all the way in, I didn't adjust it back out all the way and the pedal went to the floor when I tried to stop, so now I know the wheel cylinder is good (which was what I though was the problem).

Now I don't "need" to get the drum off.

Oh well, we'll see if it flies off when I slam on the brakes.

Thanks,

-R. J.