Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68gmsee · 03-19-2009, 05:47 PM

At first I thought it was the brake cylinder but found out it's leaking on the inside of the brake backing plate. I checked on the other side and there's no oil there.

I read something about replacing the seals but I can't figure out how to remove the pin on this sucker. Any ideas?

BLAZERMAN · 03-19-2009, 06:14 PM

The Dana 44 is not a C clip axle so you wont have to remove the cross shaft. There should be a 4 bolt retaining plate that also holds the backing plate on..remove that and the axle should slide out..you may have to try and lever it out or find a way to tap it out from the back side. You shouldnt have to use a puller unless its really stuck for some reason. You will have to have a press to remove the axle bearing since the seal is on the other side of it..but its a good time to replace those as well. Good Luck

BLAZERMAN · 03-19-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

At first I thought it was the brake cylinder but found out it's leaking on the inside of the brake backing plate. I checked on the other side and there's no oil there.

I read something about replacing the seals but I can't figure out how to remove the pin on this sucker. Any ideas?

Easiest way to determine whats leaking is smell...gear oil has a smell all its own!

68gmsee · 03-19-2009, 06:25 PM

Thanks Blazerman. I spend 30 minutes trying to figure out how that pin comes out.

This truck was a ranch truck and only has 30K original miles on it. It's only been driven about once or twice a week. Do you think I should still replace the bearings?

BLAZERMAN · 03-19-2009, 06:43 PM

Thats your call..if they look good and no pitting or galling then you can probably get by with using them. But they do have to come off with a shop press in order to even get to that seal, if its something that still isnt driven much then I might just slap it back together....but if your starting to drive it more on the roads I would check into a set of Timpken bearings and just do this job once.

68gmsee · 03-19-2009, 06:54 PM

I just started taking the bolts off the plate. I'll check the bearings when I remove the axles. Thanks.

68gmsee · 03-19-2009, 07:42 PM

One more question...

Got the axle out and wiped off. Bearing turns smooth and firm with no noise or noticeable wear. However, it looks like this is a sealed bearing? Is this correct? There's also an oil seal at the end of the axle shaft.

If it's a sealed bearing, I'll just have the Napa machine shop replace the bearing and l'll get the inner seal also.

Husker · 03-19-2009, 11:20 PM

I just did My Jeep CJ and they are setup the same way kinda. I don't think it is a sealed bearing but could be. The seals are cheap at Napa. Make sure ya seal the flange whith some silicone when you go back together. Hope this helps
Ron

03-19-2009, 05:47 PM	#1
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. At first I thought it was the brake cylinder but found out it's leaking on the inside of the brake backing plate. I checked on the other side and there's no oil there. I read something about replacing the seals but I can't figure out how to remove the pin on this sucker. Any ideas? Attached Images

03-19-2009, 06:14 PM	#2
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. The Dana 44 is not a C clip axle so you wont have to remove the cross shaft. There should be a 4 bolt retaining plate that also holds the backing plate on..remove that and the axle should slide out..you may have to try and lever it out or find a way to tap it out from the back side. You shouldnt have to use a puller unless its really stuck for some reason. You will have to have a press to remove the axle bearing since the seal is on the other side of it..but its a good time to replace those as well. Good Luck __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

03-19-2009, 06:25 PM	#4
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. Thanks Blazerman. I spend 30 minutes trying to figure out how that pin comes out. This truck was a ranch truck and only has 30K original miles on it. It's only been driven about once or twice a week. Do you think I should still replace the bearings?

03-19-2009, 06:43 PM	#5
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. Thats your call..if they look good and no pitting or galling then you can probably get by with using them. But they do have to come off with a shop press in order to even get to that seal, if its something that still isnt driven much then I might just slap it back together....but if your starting to drive it more on the roads I would check into a set of Timpken bearings and just do this job once. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

03-19-2009, 06:54 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. I just started taking the bolts off the plate. I'll check the bearings when I remove the axles. Thanks.

03-19-2009, 07:42 PM	#7
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. One more question... Got the axle out and wiped off. Bearing turns smooth and firm with no noise or noticeable wear. However, it looks like this is a sealed bearing? Is this correct? There's also an oil seal at the end of the axle shaft. If it's a sealed bearing, I'll just have the Napa machine shop replace the bearing and l'll get the inner seal also. Attached Images

03-19-2009, 11:20 PM	#8
Husker Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mid NE USA Posts: 2,212	Re: Need help.. Dana 44 leaking axle seals. I just did My Jeep CJ and they are setup the same way kinda. I don't think it is a sealed bearing but could be. The seals are cheap at Napa. Make sure ya seal the flange whith some silicone when you go back together. Hope this helps Ron __________________ Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver 70 4x4 Project 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson



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