pook's dana 44

[Pookapotamus]

so the rear dana 44 in my xj whines and howels very badly right now and since this is the start of the season and i dont want to watch everyone else wheel while i sit at home with busted junk (again)  , i was wondering if a Superior Axle Ring & Pinion Set Overhaul Kit would work and fix the howling issues in the 44? and also if this is something i could accomplish in my garage with regular hand tools? would i need anything special? i just want this to last me about a year so that i can save up to regear and put lockers on my xj.

what are my other options? if any?

[Brooneg]

Get a real Jeep Like a ZJ!!!

[FiEND]

depends on the howling reason.  can be bearings or R&P, have to open it up to find out.  might be as simple as a pinion bearing.. but could be as bad as broken R&P.

how does the fluid look?

[Pookapotamus]

last time i checked it was fairly clean not gritty but dark, it has a tracklock and i dont know if the color is from the additive or not. it seams to howl louder on a corner.

[cLAY]

As said you cann't fix without knowing whats wrong with it first. Are the gears howling or is it coming from axle bearings. Till you figure that out we cann't ansewer your question and throwing an expensive kit at it isn't a smart idea.

[SwampSinger]

my 8.25 does the same thing (It's loud)... It's because I change my pinion bearings and I put it back in too tight.... or something like that. I didn't set it up properly in the wear of the old pattern. I didn't care either. It's  was used gear...it's tought to set up.

Unless you redo the whole set up (gears , bearings and all) ..I would run that crap to the ground.

Yes you need special tools to set up gears.

Ask Bnine... he might be able to help you out with a quote. He would do a good job for ya.

[JackstandJohnny]

look for a used D35/8.25 and swap it in............

save money to build D44 correctly;

then kill D35............

[SwampSinger]

look for a used D35/8.25 and swap it in............

save money to build D44 correctly;

then kill D35............

I agree and put a locker in it while you are in there

[Pookapotamus]

i was planning to save up and do a regear and lockers in the fall, or next spring. i guess i should have some one drive it that knows what is wrong then i can decide.

before it sounded like the gears howling, now it sounds like both the gears and the wheel bearings.

[dunl]

i was planning to save up and do a regear and lockers in the fall, or next spring. i guess i should have some one drive it that knows what is wrong then i can decide.

before it sounded like the gears howling, now it sounds like both the gears and the wheel bearings.

I think Waytec has an 8.25 for fairly cheap...you'd want to regear it, but it might be an option?

[tubby]

You cheap bastard Dana!

I already told you that you can HAVE(as in free; you cheapskate) my D-44 gears(used) bearings and shims(new)
That doesn't work for you? Buy Nathan's ( not TootC...the one missing the finger) gently used Dana 35 with the skeazy-locker and you're good to go till you have funds to build your D-44 to your liking. He's selling it for gypsy cheap...or carnie-folk cheap...

[Pookapotamus]

dude you did not say free! you said you had some stuff so yes definately want them when can you drop them off?

[cLAY]

Usually when recieving free stuff its good etiqute to go get it. Maybe even bring a present......

Yes this would require getting off your a$$ but slightly less effort then jacking up the rear end of your XJ and seeing if the wheel bearings are shot. You could even go all the way and pull the tires and drums and see if the seals are leaking, pull the cover and visually inspect the gears and maybe even pull the 4 bolts holding the axle shafts in and look at the bearings.

But this would require effort, it would probably be easier to have someone else take it for a drive and then have someone else drop off free parts. All you need now is for someone to install it for you, for free....


SHEESH!

[SwampSinger]

ok children ... put down the sugar and go play with your pipi.

back to the topic

[Pookapotamus]

Usually when recieving free stuff its good etiqute to go get it. Maybe even bring a present......

Yes this would require getting off your a$$ but slightly less effort then jacking up the rear end of your XJ and seeing if the wheel bearings are shot. You could even go all the way and pull the tires and drums and see if the seals are leaking, pull the cover and visually inspect the gears and maybe even pull the 4 bolts holding the axle shafts in and look at the bearings.

But this would require effort, it would probably be easier to have someone else take it for a drive and then have someone else drop off free parts. All you need now is for someone to install it for you, for free....


SHEESH!

WOW!