Off Roading Help with Dana 44

[Kirwin]

My 85 Ramcharger (with a Cummins diesel) (Dana 44 axle) has developed an front axle seal leak on the passengers side axle tube. The Dodge service manual is not very helpful in describing this repair and the Dodge parts book is even worse as to what the seal and the needle bearing part numbers are. As I understand it for the passengers side only, the differential assembly must be removed and then the needle bearing and then the oil seal pulled into the differential housing. The replacements are installed in the reverse order.

My questions are for those that have done this repair; (1) did you need to use a spreader to remove the differential assembly? (2) did you replace the needle bearing or reuse the old one? (3) did you replace the oil seal on the drivers side as well since you had both front axles out? (4) how hard was it to reinstall the differential assembly after the repair? (5) Did you check any dimensions after re-installation? (6) Any other tips on how to make this repair successful the first time?

 

[MMiller]

Is the Dana 44 a CAD (center axel disconnect)? It must be. The dana 44 I used to run had no needle bearing in the axel tube.



Go the www.ramchargercentral.com. Cruise around there or post the question. Those guys will be able to answer this question.



All the danas I have had apart, I could get the carrier out without the spreader. Pull the axel shafts, then the cover, then the bearing caps marking them side for side. Next I use a pry bar to persuade the carrier out. Be careful, when it starts to come, it might just fall out and pinch any body part between itself and the ground. I have set up several dana 44-60-70's and get away without the spreader. To reinstall put the cups(which were marked side for side) on the bearings and set it in the housing. Sometimes you will have to perusade the carrier back in with a soft face hammer.



As far as the seal and bearing, I can't help you. All my stuff was either to old for CAD, or to big.



How is the 44 front holding up under the Cummins? Hard on ball joints? Probably would tear up axel shafts if it was wheeled very hard.



Michael

 

[Kirwin]

Diesel over a Dana 44

I have about 114,000 miles on my Ramcharger after the conversion and so far no problems with the axle. I was told by several supposedly knowledgeable Dodge service guys that it wouldn't hold up but so far it has held up well. Of course I was also told that the Cummins wouldn't fit in the engine bay of my Ramcharger. I think probably the weakest link is the NP-208 transfer case but so far I haven't had any issues with it. I'm not a four wheeler so that probably has allot to do with it. I have both spindles off now and the axle out of the side without the CAD. Next is to pull the axle on the side with the CAD hopefully get to that today. I still have the original ball joints and they seam to be very tight after beating on them to get those spindles loose. Thanks for your help Ken Irwin

 

[MMiller]

Wonder why someone said it would not fit? From the back of the doors forward its just like a pickup, and basically the same as an 89-93. I can see the 44 would be marginal if it was abused. The cummins can't weigh much more then a big block and snow plow. There is lots of trucks running around with plows on the front.



Why did you leave the 208? Did it hook right up to the rear of the diesel trans? Are you auto or manual? Sorry for the questions in your thread. I was wondering. I have toyed with the idea of a diesel ramcharger to haul the family in.



Good luck with your project and let me know how it turns out.



Michael

 

[Kirwin]

My Diesel Ramcharger

I converted an automatic 4 X 4. I bought a new 518 transmission from Dodge, after discussing my transfer case options with New Venture Gear I was told that it would bolt right up. And it did, with the exception of the bearings for the transmission output hitting the input shaft bearing in the transfer case before the cases came together. I overcame this by getting a 5/16" aluminum washer "spacer" made to shim the transfer case aft 5/16". After that it was all just like any other conversion, not without its challenges but all in all not too bad. Kenny

 

[Kirwin]

Job is done

I got the carrier out with a 16" flat bar and a wooden hammer handle. The shims are on the carrier on the inside of the bearings so they are not disturbed as long as you don't remove the bearings them selves. All in all it was a good learning experience. Thanks to all who helped with ideas. I did use a piece of 1/2" threaded rod and some washers to pull the new seal into place. Thanks TDR! Ken Irwin