Axle Cleaning Question???

JohnnyC

JohnnyC

Member
What is the best way to remove all of the old fluid/dung in a Dana 44 that is still on vehical.

What type of cleaner should I use/ should I use a cleaner?
 
Assuming the axle shafts have been removed and the carrier is still in position, here's what I do....

Using a siphon-type blow gun (or a cheep pump up sprayer), douche the inside of both tubes with naptha (some call that "paint thinner", but not turpentine!).

Then swab the insides of the axle tubes using something like a dowel or broom stick with rags attached with tie-wraps, like a shotgun bore swap.

Then douche the tubes again with solvent...it'll run into the "sump" of the pumpkin and carry any mung with it, put a drain container under the pumpkin to catch the runoff.

Use more rags to wipe out the inside of the pumpkin best ya can using the solvent.
 
Thanks seems pretty simple. Also one other question... What type of version Dana 44 do I have if the bearings are pressed on the shaft?
 
Your axle with the "pressed" bearings is what we generically call a "flanged" axle setup. The hub the wheel/brake drum bolts to is one piece with the axle shaft. There is a stamped steel retainer that goes onto the axle first that carries the grease seal, then the bearing set, then a steel collar is pressed on the shaft to hold everything in place.

A "normal" amount of press pressure to install a replacement bearing system onto the shaft is in the neighborhood of 5 tons. A few years back, I had my buddy with a garage across the highway press a set of axles for me onna d44. One of the bearings being removed maxxed out his press at 50 tons before the keeper ring literally exploded, that is why ya don't stand near one of these axle systems when being pressed.
 
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I still remember the bearing rollers rocketing over my head like little bullets. Glad none of us got hit! :yikes:
 
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