Almost Newbie here, so I’m bracing myself for the slam…………..

I’ve got a high pinion D44 in the rear of my XJ that the pinion is tilted up further to align with the transfer case by the placement of the spring perches for good drive line angles. Got this rear end custom built by TriCounty Gear about 10yrs ago, and has about 100K miles on it. The pinion bearing gave way. My question is there any way to better oil this bearing for longevity. Would creating a higher pour hole in the cover and filling up to that new level help any, and could that cause other complications.

Should I just accept my choice in rear end and be happy I got this much out of it before it crapped out?

Any and all help, comments are all greatly appreciated.

Thanks
James

www.geocities.com/jammerjamesharmon

Did the bearing just crap out or did you have low and/or contaminated gear oil?

If you got 10yrs and 100k out of the bearing then I suspect that your problem lies else where.

If you over fill the pig you will just end up puking oil past the wheel bearings seals and the vent tube.

Gotta agree with Goat on this one -- 100k miles and 10 years, I don't think you have an oiling issue.

Did the bearing just crap out or did you have low and/or contaminated gear oil?

If you got 10yrs and 100k out of the bearing then I suspect that your problem lies else where.

If you over fill the pig you will just end up puking oil past the wheel bearings seals and the vent tube.

Just crapped out. Changed the gear oil after all deep water crossings......... Just going to rebearing the pinion and carrier bearings and see if I get another 100K.

Thanks for the input.

Do you have a slinger on the pinion? It might help if you don't - or it might not.

Can't hurt to over fill a bit I suppose.

100k mi and 10 years - I'd say that is pretty reasonable.

r@m

Seems like there was a write up on here about moving the check/fill hole. Dana only nade one style cover for the D44, and it was made for the LP 44. The same cover is used on HP44's, but it is upside down, making the check/fill hole lower than it should be.

Do you have a slinger on the pinion? It might help if you don't - or it might not.

Can't hurt to over fill a bit I suppose.

100k mi and 10 years - I'd say that is pretty reasonable.

r@m

Not sure about the slinger, I'll find out soon with the tear down. Don't know what to look for................ Why would it help if it did not have one of these?

I like the higher hole idea............... Would like to see that article.

A slinger is basically a large disk slightly larger than the pinion head that goes under the pinion. The idea is that the slinger will touch the top of the oil level and "sling" oil up.

Every D44 (low pinion) out of a Scout that I've disassembled has had one.

Hickeyjones may be on to something with the diff cover. I'd be inclined to compare the relative levels and make the new hole a touch higher than the low pinion level. I have a bare HP housing out in the barn - may check it out in the AM.

Also, if you add a slinger you'll need to reset you gear mesh pattern (shim depth and probably backash). You'll be into that with the bearing replacement anyway I'd guess.

r@m

Just thinking about the fill hole. It might be worth having a look at the HP D30 on an XJ if you still have access to one. Those were set up with CV front shafts and the diff pointed at the t-case (IIRC) so it may give a hint wrt factory style acceptable fill level.

You want to at least match the same amount of fluid as a low pinion as well (fluid mass, thermal transfer, level at inner seals, lube, etc.).

Just some thoughts. Glad you posted this, never gave it much thought for the front of my YJ build (HP D44) till now.

r@m

Dana only nade one style cover for the D44, and it was made for the LP 44. The same cover is used on HP44's, but it is upside down, making the check/fill hole lower than it should be.


Sorry but this is just flat out wrong. I know of at least 2 types of dana 44 diff covers. The ones that came with factory front axles were thicker than the rears, I've held both side by side. The fronts also had higher fill plugs. Its for these two reasons that I run front covers on both my 44's. The diff cover on a HP housing is not an upside down low pinion LP diff cover because the housing is not upside down. Think about it.


:shaking:

Seems like there was a write up on here about moving the check/fill hole. Dana only nade one style cover for the D44, and it was made for the LP 44. The same cover is used on HP44's, but it is upside down, making the check/fill hole lower than it should be.
WHAT? Man you've no clue. Please state the documentation you use to prove this fact. Or did you just look under one truck an figure this out?
Newbie :shaking: :rolleyes:

yeah, kwrangln replied first but I had to reply.

I am running the same setup and in addition to the oil slinger which i am sure you probably have, try putting some Lucas oil in there I am running it in mine especially after i roasted a pinion after 44k

Both of my HP 44 fronts have higher fill plugs than my rears. I recently upgraded to Crane covers. Higher fill plug is one of the benefits.

Yelp I had a oil slinger............

New hole lets me add an extra quart................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/jammerjamesharmon/DiffCover01.jpg

Everyone, thanks for all the help and input...............

james
www.geocities.com/jammerjamesharmon

After some search time I have found that you guys are right about the HP vs LP covers. I retract my flawed statement.

I am very curious as to the gear ratio of the diff with the failed pinion bearing.
If the it were a real low ratio, the pinion would be spinning like crazy. Situations like this commonly see premature pinion bearing failure.

I am very curious as to the gear ratio of the diff with the failed pinion bearing.
If the it were a real low ratio, the pinion would be spinning like crazy. Situations like this commonly see premature pinion bearing failure.

410s and 35's, it was barely turning at all,

it did go 100k...........................