Rearend help

[18Z]

Can anyone ID this rearend and why the wheel cylinders don't come out without what looks like having to pull the axles and if so how? I have attached photos of everything.

[18Z]

Forgot to mention it is a 1971 GMC K1500

[B. W.]

looks like a dana 44

[18Z]

I have a Dana 44 in the front but this is the rear but it doesn't have the 60 cast into it where I have a 44 cast into the front.

[18Z]

Any help anyone!!!

[Shinysideup]

If they wont wriggle out sideways you could loosen or remove the backing plate bolts so it moves away at top.

BTW,Ive never seen an axle that looked doubled-up on the flange and with those welds?

[Bigdav160]

Definitely a Dana.

[Mike C]

It's either a 60 or a 44. If you have a 44 in front then the cover in the rear should be larger if it's a 60 and same size if it's a 44.

The semi-float Dana 60 is fairly uncommon found in big blocks in 67-68, but a Dana in the rear of a 1/2 ton after '68 is unusual as well and my guess is it was swapped from something else.

44's were found in both ends of 67-68 4x4 IME and probably more of those than 1/2 ton big block trucks so 44's more common.


So compare cover size and you tell us what you have!

[B Myers]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

If they wont wriggle out sideways you could loosen or remove the backing plate bolts so it moves away at top.

BTW,Ive never seen an axle that looked doubled-up on the flange and with those welds?

I agree, there is an extra metal backing on the axle flange that may have been added due to some type of stud failure and that was a way to save the axles. The extra space they take up keep the cylinders from coming out, I have never seen a standard axle that you couldn't get the cylinders out.

[18Z]

Thanks for all the responses, I will try loosening the backing plate tonight to try and remove and will post what happens.

[18Z]

Went to loosen the backing plate and noticed the PO had welded it in place, so I had to pull the axle to get it off.

[Mike_The_Grad]

Lame! Did you change axle seals and bearings while you were in there?

[18Z]

Yes I am going to.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by Shinysideup

If they wont wriggle out sideways you could loosen or remove the backing plate bolts so it moves away at top.

BTW,Ive never seen an axle that looked doubled-up on the flange and with those welds?

I agree something weird with those axles...

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by 18Z

Went to loosen the backing plate and noticed the PO had welded it in place, so I had to pull the axle to get it off.

that is weird, you may want to replace those axles, something isn't right with those doubled up welded flanges...

[Mike_The_Grad]

I just replaced the seals and bearings on my 72 c10 12-bolt rearend,5 lug. I hadn't planned on doing it,but while I was doing a complete overhaul of my rear drum brakes I noticed both sides seals were leaking. One funny thing about the job,IMO, is I had to borrow a slide hammer from Autozone for the bearings, or at least I thought I did...after the seals were out and I had the slide hammer setup, I went to pull back on the hammer and it caught the lip of the bearing race and the bearing just fell out of the axle tube! So I went to the other side and I was able to slide out the bearing with my fingers. They seemed to be in ok condition, the outer races were a little discolored but no broken pieces or anything. The Timken bearings I ordered went in nice though, solid and true. Same with the National seals.(the seals were a PITA to seat though even with the right installer.) But I got it all done and am glad that task is over with. Good luck with yours. It seems you already have an interesting setup, and I hope it goes smoothly for you.