Dana 44 Closed Knuckle Axle Shaft U-Joint Part Number

[Chaparralman1974]

Morning all!

Can anyone tell me the U-Joint part number for a closed knuckle D44 axle shaft? I am rebuilding mine and want to replace the U-Joints, but I am not sure what part number to order.


Thanks, Clay

[MJN]

Should be Spicer 5-260X https://www.northerndrivetrain.com/p...PI-5-260X.html

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by MJN

Should be Spicer 5-260X https://www.northerndrivetrain.com/p...PI-5-260X.html

Thank you much! I will get them ordered.


Clay

[Chaparralman1974]

Ok, so I ordered the new ujoints for the axle shafts. The original ujoints did not have the seal on them as it is all lubricated from the special sauce that lives in the knuckle cavity. The new ujoints have the seals on them. Do I have to remove the seals, or just let the permalube idea take care of itself?

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Chaparralman1974

Ok, so I ordered the new ujoints for the axle shafts. The original ujoints did not have the seal on them as it is all lubricated from the special sauce that lives in the knuckle cavity. The new ujoints have the seals on them. Do I have to remove the seals, or just let the permalube idea take care of itself?

Funny the things that make you scratch your head.
Here's my take, I'd leave them on. They're more than just dust caps. Think of it this way. I used to have an old paint brush spinner. I would stick the brush handle in it and stick in a empty buck and it would spinn the excess paint off the bush bristles.

If you stuck a joint without the seal, let's say a driveshaft. It would be exposed to dirt sand and the likes. But.. would it spin the grease out of the joint trunnion?

If it's inside, will it take on grease, or lose grease, or neither.

For me, the low hanging fruit is leave the part as shipped and install it.

Good luck; and have fun!

j

[Chaparralman1974]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Funny the things that make you scratch your head.
Here's my take, I'd leave them on. They're more than just dust caps. Think of it this way. I used to have an old paint brush spinner. I would stick the brush handle in it and stick in a empty buck and it would spinn the excess paint off the bush bristles.

If you stuck a joint without the seal, let's say a driveshaft. It would be exposed to dirt sand and the likes. But.. would it spin the grease out of the joint trunnion?

If it's inside, will it take on grease, or lose grease, or neither.

For me, the low hanging fruit is leave the part as shipped and install it.

Good luck; and have fun!

j

That is what I was kinda thinking as well. It would seem that the dust seal supercedes the old design. I think I will leave them on and then still fill the void with corn head grease. Probably a useless gesture, but I am having fun with it. Hell, what is the worse thing that can happen? LOL

[Chaparralman1974]

I was actually lucky enough to find a front Dana 44 from a 73/74 that had them. They are getting harder and harder to find and if you do find a set, they are pretty spendy. I was concerned at first that they would not fit the closed knuckle axle, but the internals are all the same. I installed one to verify, and they install perfectly! I am gonna keep the originals, but I really want the Spicer's. I like the way they look and they are period correct for the K20's. I have the entire axle tore down at the moment and I hope to have it painted and begin the rebuild this weekend. I will post pictures on my build thread as soon as I get it completed. I really want to get the chassis and motor done so I can move onto the body work. I have never really done that before, and I am kinda excited about giving it a whirl.

Clay