'79 Dana 44 Question on Rotating Part

[aotte1]

'79 Dana 44 front axle question, can I rotate the hub in photo below to make the bottom the top. Their is a little bearing wear on it at the bottom, right behind the threads. By rotating the top to the bottom, would have a much better surface for bearing at bottom where load is most.

Les

[Stocker]

I can't think of any reason not to. Be interesting to see what others have to say.

[aotte1]

Mike,

Thanks, is this wear normal?

Les

[obijuan]

if you can feel a step to where the bearing sits then it is excessive wear. the bearing is no longer within tolerance and will spin on the spindle rather than stay put. just flipping the spindle would not really do you any favors especially if road driven. rock crawler, meh. roll with it. high heat high speed application it will only fail.

[kwmech]

^^^
What he said, but yes, you can index the spindle in 6 different places. I always set the keyway on top so I know where it is in all the grease

[aotte1]

Kwmech,

Thanks, still thinking what I have through, and need to look at how this bearing race is held in place. Where does the adjusting nut put force, on bearing/ race.
I think this wear occurred because the bearing adjustment was to loose.

L

[obijuan]

Bearing is held in place by a tight slip fit on the spindle. Spindle nuts directly compress the bearings to each other. The spindle nut does not locate the bearing. The bearing will still spin on the spindle if the tolerances are loose and worst case is you torch off the hub cause it welds itself together.

[CrewCab59]

Rotating isn't going to change anything as noted above , buy a new spicer and rebuild and not worry about it.

[aotte1]

Thanks for information, am I correct to assume Spicer sells the spindle I need. Used ones are not a good investment, if they look good?

Les

[andrewmp6]

Used would be a little harder to find,Gm stopped using the dana 44 front in like 80,Ford stopping in 80 and not sure on dodge and jeep.Look on rockauto.com see if they carry them or call your local napa.

[obijuan]

Pretty sure g2 has aftermarket spindles