Dana 44 28 spline carrier parts I.D.

[dthela]

Rear end blew out spider gears after only 300 miles. No one has parts for a Dana 44 with 28 splines that I can find! Can anyone tell me if this is the original rear? 62 GMC 305 V6 2WD. Picture attached thanks!

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by dthela

Rear end blew out spider gears after only 300 miles. No one has parts for a Dana 44 with 28 splines that I can find! Can anyone tell me if this is the original rear? 62 GMC 305 V6 2WD. Picture attached thanks!

Here is a link looks like you may need a bunch of parts..Vernski

http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-614...na-44-d44.html

[dthela]

thanks, i sent them an email!

[Rufton]

I rebuilt 66 gmc 305E dana 44 open diff.
I found the shims and some other hard parts at Randy's Ring and Pinion.
I found Spicer service manual w/ specs pdf online.
I enlarged old bearing ID and used for set up bearing to determine correct shim thickness.
I pulled diff by attaching a few ratchet straps to bumper and diff.
I was able to install and remove w/o a spreader; if I did it often I would buy or make a spreader.

[Rufton]

Random dana 44 pics.
Open diff, sorry.

[jbgroby]

Don,

I replaced my complete gear set dropping from 3.92 to 3.23 for about $350.00. This included the ring, pinion, barings and spacers - everything.

http://www.precisiongear.com/

They sell Dana 44 stuff.

[markeb01]

Any local 4x4 shop should be able to fix you up. Dana 44's are very popular with the Jeep and 4x4 crowd. They were used in Blazers and Ford trucks for many years. I had the ratio in mine changed twice. From the stock 3.90 to a 3.08. I believe the 3.08 came out of the front end of a Chevy Blazer. The last time I swapped to a 4.09 using new Dana Spicer gears. Both times I had to swap the carrier, as the 3.90 ratio is the break between carriers.

[dthela]

I tried the largest distributor of diffs in New England, they tell me there are no parts for the diff pictured. It has 28 spline axles. Does anyone know the specific brand and model # to replace the one pictured?

[Rufton]

FWIW my dana 44 looks like 30 splines if my eyes are working.

[Brad54]

I had an original Dana 44 axle under my '62 (I call it a '61 Suburban because I changed everything over and it's easier than explaining, usually).
I don't remember what spline count it was, but I'm pretty sure it was 30.
I used a take-out from a late-model Jeep and put a posi unit in.
The Dana 44 is the most common rear end ever made. It dates back all the way to the early '50s, used in Studebakers and Hudsons, Checker cabs, etc. and was used in later Corvettes and even a version was used in the Viper.
They were used in Mail Jeeps, regular jeeps, Ford Explorers, and are the axle most used in the front of 4x4 trucks (Jeep, Ford, Chevy and Dodge).

I put new genuine Spicer 3.42 gears on mine. I replaced it because the welds failed on the axle tube, and it bound where the axle shaft goes into the spider gears, eventually causing the spider to strip the splines on the axle, and spun the carrier bearing in the housing.

Keep hunting around, and you'll be able to find either new spiders, or a whole new dif from a Jeep.

-Brad

[dthela]

yes mine is 28 spline. I know all about dana 44's but they dont make crap for the 28 spline axles anymore that most companies i've contacted tell me. I don't want to restore an entire new rear. Just want to know if there is an alternative carrier with 28 splines that will replace mine or someone with an old 28 spline rear laying around or someone with 28 spline planetaries so i can just replace my planetaries. I have a GM corporate rear but it's in bad shape, rust and you cant take the backing plates off because they are riveted on (and yes the bolt pattern is different on the dana plates, already thought about using my good plates.

[low79fx]

You need new spiders, change spiders and axles to 30 spline. That is if the 30 spline spiders fit in the carrier you have. That might be an option.

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by low79fx

You need new spiders, change spiders and axles to 30 spline. That is if the 30 spline spiders fit in the carrier you have. That might be an option.

Only thing is that gets expensive replacing everything, wouldn't it be better to get a used rear-end one w/30 splines? Of course if you can find one that is. Try the search function on the forum here someone may have had the same problem as you. Seems to me there should be parts for that 28 spline somewhere out there, I would try to contact Spicer or GM they could be obsolete but I just don't think so..Vernski

[dthela]

they are obsolete, and none of the newer rears come with 28 splines, i repainted my gm corporate rear and am putting that in for now, actually has 3:23 gears so should be better on the highway, but it was pretty rusty so blasting it and painted it but still doesn't look as good as the powder coated rear and the backing plates where really rusty but don't want to miss anymore cruise nights!