Axle rebuilding Questions? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

784X4GUY · 02-01-2005, 01:23 PM

Alright guys, I've got the D44 front and the 14BFF in the rear. These axle are very old and worn out. So they are going to be in need of a rebuild sometime. What im wondering is do they sell complete axle rebuild kits for these or what? Also is it very hard to rebuild these things? I know I probably don't have all the tools to complete this task. But what all would you need to rebuild them? And would it be hard to rebuild these myself? And if I did decide not to rebuild them myself. How much would it cost to get them rebuilt? Thanks guys for any advice given...Later Mike

*gn4u2c* · 02-01-2005, 03:00 PM

If you don't know what you are doing either find a driveline tech at a GM dealership or a 4x4 shop to help you in there spare time or pay to have it done. If you do not set up the new gears correctly they will be noisey , and not last long at all if the pattern is not close to dead on. Others may say diffrent but again. If you have never done it before MAKE SURE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING HELPS..I have seen several people say ahh it's close enough and 10K later there 600.00 rebuild kit is trashed when it should last 200K. I have set up many and it is easy to do WHEN YOU KNOW HOW. You will not need many tools a torque wrench lbs and a inch pounds wrench. a few common sockets a spindal nut socket for the front ( or a punch/ hammer ) a screwdriver to turn the adjusters in the rear will work but there is a correct tool for the job. about $10.00 at any auto parts store. Percision gear sells a whole kit bearings/seals/gears/gaskets and marking compound.

Good luck maybe someone on the board lives close to ya with experience and maybe the tools.

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-01-2005, 04:50 PM

Are you talking just replacing wheel bearings, ball joints and axle u-joints and seals, or we talking gears, carrier and pinion bearings, etc....
Doing the former is straight forward, replacing carrier bearings and pinion bearings is more indepth requiring special tools.

*gn4u2c* · 02-01-2005, 05:44 PM

I was assuming everything.
??

784X4GUY · 02-02-2005, 10:19 AM

Yeah guys, I wanted to completely rebuild both axles. But thanks for the help...Later Mike

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-02-2005, 12:33 PM

Strip them down to parade rest, paint them then do what you can, and find someone to set-up the gears for you. Then your back in business.

784X4GUY · 02-02-2005, 01:05 PM

Jim, do you know bout how much it might cost for a pro to rebuild the inside of the axles? Thanks Mike

Ratpowerd67 · 02-04-2005, 10:23 PM

your lookin at $200-300 for each axle gear set.if you just drop it off at a drivetrain shop. or tear them down and take them to a shop and get the gears set up and you can do the rest. i would have them press out and install the ball joints if you dont have a press. the more you tear down, more money you will save. if your lookin to just drop it off somewhere,for a complete rebuild, i would say 7 to 8 hundred with new gears on the dana 44, and another 500 for the 14 ff with new gears. that price is on the low side .if i was you i would get a little dirty! its easy, most parts go on only one way. hope this helps.....rat

784X4GUY · 02-05-2005, 11:35 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys...Later Mike

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-05-2005, 07:49 PM

Mike in my area guys want 2 to 3 hundred to set up gears. Now that is at a place of business. I just meet a guy on another forum and he does them for a lot less out of his own garage.

784X4GUY · 02-05-2005, 10:32 PM

Oh, thanks for the help jim, Ill keep you posted on the progress...Later Mike

nu2-72 · 02-06-2005, 11:17 AM

Before someone calls me an idiot, I see you have a 78 but posted on the 72 board. I want to make sure you are talking a 78 Dana 44. I have books up to 72 and have all the numbers for GM parts on them but do not know if 78 is the same. I will say that most GM parts are gone for rebuilding the 71-72 Dana's.
I have NOS Blue centers, chrome rings, bolts, washers, gaskets, spacers, springs and rings for the 3/4 and some NOS for the 1/2. Also have NOS Yellow centers for 73 up and Blue 1/2 ton for 71-72.
Just can't help you much on the 78 question.
If you know what will swap, I can give you #'s.

784X4GUY · 02-06-2005, 08:01 PM

Sorry man, don't know what will and what wont...Later Mike

4x4Poet · 02-06-2005, 10:00 PM

Mike, on the parts side of the task, you can source the wheel hub bearings cheaper at a bearing sales store. Same with all the seals. When you're there, check what else they sell for your years D44 & 14bFF. Everything you can source there should cost less than auto parts stores/internet. Some bearing sales carry diff master overhaul kits, but be careful about whether they come complete. And avoid crush sleeves for setting the pinion depth. Always use shims despite the higher labor cost for shim set ups. That is, if you want to do it right.

02-01-2005, 01:23 PM	#1
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Axle rebuilding Questions? Alright guys, I've got the D44 front and the 14BFF in the rear. These axle are very old and worn out. So they are going to be in need of a rebuild sometime. What im wondering is do they sell complete axle rebuild kits for these or what? Also is it very hard to rebuild these things? I know I probably don't have all the tools to complete this task. But what all would you need to rebuild them? And would it be hard to rebuild these myself? And if I did decide not to rebuild them myself. How much would it cost to get them rebuilt? Thanks guys for any advice given...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-01-2005, 04:50 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Are you talking just replacing wheel bearings, ball joints and axle u-joints and seals, or we talking gears, carrier and pinion bearings, etc.... Doing the former is straight forward, replacing carrier bearings and pinion bearings is more indepth requiring special tools. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-02-2005, 10:19 AM	#5
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Yeah guys, I wanted to completely rebuild both axles. But thanks for the help...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-02-2005, 12:33 PM	#6
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Strip them down to parade rest, paint them then do what you can, and find someone to set-up the gears for you. Then your back in business. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-02-2005, 01:05 PM	#7
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Jim, do you know bout how much it might cost for a pro to rebuild the inside of the axles? Thanks Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-01-2005, 03:00 PM	#2
gn4u2c Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: southern pa Posts: 698	If you don't know what you are doing either find a driveline tech at a GM dealership or a 4x4 shop to help you in there spare time or pay to have it done. If you do not set up the new gears correctly they will be noisey , and not last long at all if the pattern is not close to dead on. Others may say diffrent but again. If you have never done it before MAKE SURE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING HELPS..I have seen several people say ahh it's close enough and 10K later there 600.00 rebuild kit is trashed when it should last 200K. I have set up many and it is easy to do WHEN YOU KNOW HOW. You will not need many tools a torque wrench lbs and a inch pounds wrench. a few common sockets a spindal nut socket for the front ( or a punch/ hammer ) a screwdriver to turn the adjusters in the rear will work but there is a correct tool for the job. about $10.00 at any auto parts store. Percision gear sells a whole kit bearings/seals/gears/gaskets and marking compound. Good luck maybe someone on the board lives close to ya with experience and maybe the tools.

02-01-2005, 05:44 PM	#4
gn4u2c Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: southern pa Posts: 698	I was assuming everything. ??

02-04-2005, 10:23 PM	#8
Ratpowerd67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Trenton ,Texas Posts: 328	your lookin at $200-300 for each axle gear set.if you just drop it off at a drivetrain shop. or tear them down and take them to a shop and get the gears set up and you can do the rest. i would have them press out and install the ball joints if you dont have a press. the more you tear down, more money you will save. if your lookin to just drop it off somewhere,for a complete rebuild, i would say 7 to 8 hundred with new gears on the dana 44, and another 500 for the 14 ff with new gears. that price is on the low side .if i was you i would get a little dirty! its easy, most parts go on only one way. hope this helps.....rat

02-05-2005, 11:35 AM	#9
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Thanks for all the advice guys...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-05-2005, 07:49 PM	#10
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Mike in my area guys want 2 to 3 hundred to set up gears. Now that is at a place of business. I just meet a guy on another forum and he does them for a lot less out of his own garage. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-05-2005, 10:32 PM	#11
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Oh, thanks for the help jim, Ill keep you posted on the progress...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-06-2005, 11:17 AM	#12
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	Before someone calls me an idiot, I see you have a 78 but posted on the 72 board. I want to make sure you are talking a 78 Dana 44. I have books up to 72 and have all the numbers for GM parts on them but do not know if 78 is the same. I will say that most GM parts are gone for rebuilding the 71-72 Dana's. I have NOS Blue centers, chrome rings, bolts, washers, gaskets, spacers, springs and rings for the 3/4 and some NOS for the 1/2. Also have NOS Yellow centers for 73 up and Blue 1/2 ton for 71-72. Just can't help you much on the 78 question. If you know what will swap, I can give you #'s. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

02-06-2005, 08:01 PM	#13
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Sorry man, don't know what will and what wont...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

02-06-2005, 10:00 PM	#14
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Mike, on the parts side of the task, you can source the wheel hub bearings cheaper at a bearing sales store. Same with all the seals. When you're there, check what else they sell for your years D44 & 14bFF. Everything you can source there should cost less than auto parts stores/internet. Some bearing sales carry diff master overhaul kits, but be careful about whether they come complete. And avoid crush sleeves for setting the pinion depth. Always use shims despite the higher labor cost for shim set ups. That is, if you want to do it right. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.



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