[Custom79]

Finally going back with the assembly of this Dana 44.
The instructions that were given to me by a member, says after installing the bearing races and space, there should be 0.004” between the knuckle and seal retainer between each pair of flanges.
The left side retainer has 0.002” in two locations, 0.003” in three locations and 0.004” in one location.
Does this mean the knuckle is dead?

 

[SuperBurban]

It is most likely that the outer edeg of the bearing has rotated, and dug into one side or another. You could live with it and hope it is enough to hold the new bearing, or take the retainer, and hold it on a belt sander for a few seconds, or look up lapping. Taking a hair off the back side will give you the clearance you need. But make sure you clean it good, and possibly a new seal.

 

[Custom79]

First off ask, thanks again for the original manual.
If the purpose of the retainer is the sandwich the two bearing races, then I can certainly do exactly what you said. It makes sense.
The manual makes it sound much more ominous.
There were several surprises with this 44. With help from yourself and other members it is heading in the right direction.

 

[SuperBurban]

This may help visualize how it all fits together.

fulltime fixed.jpg

• SuperBurban
• Jul 8, 2021

 

[DODGEBOYS]

Finally going back with the assembly of this Dana 44.
The instructions that were given to me by a member, says after installing the bearing races and space, there should be 0.004” between the knuckle and seal retainer between each pair of flanges.
The left side retainer has 0.002” in two locations, 0.003” in three locations and 0.004” in one location.
Does this mean the knuckle is dead? View attachment 634786

is that grease fitting in the RIGHT position = 10 oclock on the left side and 2 oclock on the right side

 

[Custom79]

is that grease fitting in the RIGHT position = 10 oclock on the left side and 2 oclock on the right side

Haven’t assembled yet. Everything is ready to do so. Thanks for the info.
This past week I got the bearings and shims replaced on the carrier and pinion. The axles are in place. I’m ready to button up this thing. Maybe this week.

 

[palominomale]

The obvious solution would seem to be to have bearing spacers available in say +1, +2, & +3 thousands from original to make up for no-gap worn retainers/knuckles? Or sanding both the retainer and that 'need gap here' spot on the front of the knuckle, which would be difficult while on the truck. I am working a hub with this problem atm heh.

 

[Ruderunner]

I'm not sure what the real complaint is here? The retainer clamps the cups and spacer tight in the knuckle. As long as the cups are tight, retainer to knuckle clearance is not that critical.

Zero clearance might mean the retainer bottomed out on the knuckle before clamping the cups, that can be a problem.

Excess clearance might just be from different brand cups vs OEM.

 

[SuperBurban]

Zero clearance might mean the retainer bottomed out on the knuckle before clamping the cups, that can be a problem.

That is the problem, the bearings just slip a little, and they wear a grove in the retainer, taking away any clearance They only start out with .004" clearance.

 

[Ruderunner]

Gotcha. Looking at the cutaway, it shouldn't be hard to take a few thousandths off the face that mates to the knuckle.

Shims are an option too, but you'd need one each for OD spacer and ID spacer.

 

[SuperBurban]

As long as there is not a grove where it meets the bearing. You are looking for the gap where I marked "need gap here". You need it to press on the edge of the bearing, not the knuckle.

 

[Ruderunner]

Right, it clamps the bearing