Dana 44 help!!

[SoulCrackuh]

Ok guys, I need some help. I have taken apart my driver side on my 71 Blazer d44. My question is this: What should be at the place where the inner shaft exits the housing? There is nothing there right now. bearing?? seal?? Is this correct?? My 2 manuals show nothing and I can't find anything on the web as far as a diagram goes. There is a flared flange there just before the yoke to prevent stuff from entering the housing but no seal or bearing or anything else. Oh, and there is now a ton of grit there.

Help!!
What should be there???

[KWTMECH]

Nothing, that is the way it is-- eventually dirt and grit will get in the tubes.

[Janster]

Nothing on the end...... the seal is located inside the tube inward near the diff housing.

Hell....when I was rebuilding mine - I had moth balls and spiders nests in there!!!

[SoulCrackuh]

Thanks guys. It just kinda seemed like a good place for some sort of seal. What's the best way to keep the shaft clean when I put it back in? Any Ideas?

[Janster]

Thanks guys. It just kinda seemed like a good place for some sort of seal. What's the best way to keep the shaft clean when I put it back in? Any Ideas?

Well....never thought about the cleanliness of the axle shafts.

Look at the axle shaft and you can probably see where the seal sits (on the shaft). The axle shaft is probably much cleaner (no stains or rust) after where the seal is.

I'd just worry about the area that will come in contact with the seal. Make sure the shaft is smooth and doesn't have any knicks, shards, metal sticking up...etc.
You don't want anything to cut the seal upon entry.

Wipe it off with a paper towel and maybe apply a very light coating of gear oil to help it slide in better.

[SoulCrackuh]

Ok. I had planned on that. The inner section is in great shape. I'm just thinking that with the dirt in the housing that I'll pick some of that up when I slide it back in. That would put some grit on the important contact area. Am I being too anal?

[bj-666]

i know they make those outer seals your talking about for the d-30 they seem like an ok idea. it is difficult to get the shaft in without dragging it in the muck but it can be done if you hold your hand as close to the opening as you can and push the shaft in supporting it so it doesnt' drag you should be good if you have to drag it on the inner side fo the tube try to make it on the top where sand and other nastys are less. good luck