Loose D44 Wheel Bearing

[1TonJeep]

hey chevy dudes,

yes i know i belong on the jeep page but bear with me.....

i have a dana 44 from a 1976 K5 Blazer under my CJ full width. the axle has very few miles on it since rebuild but several years have past. there is a bunch of play in the bearing when i wiggle the wheel/tire. i assume the bearing is just loose. what size bearing nut socket do i need to tighten it and what is the torque spec??? i have a big ass prong socket for my rear D70, any chance its the same for the D44?? one other thing is it best to lock the hub before taking it out or leave it in the free position.

thanks in advance for any tips so i dont spend all mothers day up to my elbows in axle grease!!!!!

mike

[4x4realm]

It's a special socket that any parts house should have. What I've always done is torque the inner nut to 80 lbs to seat the bearing then back it off then tighten it up hand tight. put the lock ring in the torque the second nut to 80 lbs.



P.S. and dana 44 in the front doesn't make for a one ton heep.

[TEAM X-TREME]

A 1 ton 44 HUH? Is that like a 1/2 ton bulldozer.

[1TonJeep]

ok, cut me some slack

the 44 is 3/4 ton, 8 lug and is only there till i can finish the 60 that will take its place or until it all i need is a detroit and 35 spline stubs and the 60 will be done, unfortunetly the detroit is $500+. i would love to sell the 44 complete and finish the 60 but i don't want to be without a rig for an extended period of time. know anyone looking for a 44 full width, 8 lug, new brakes, detroit, 5.13??? be part of the solution besides at least its not a 10 or 12 bolt ooops! did i say that on the chevy page!!!!

[Cheepin]

Actually the 10 bolt and D44 are the same in strength.And there is no 12 bolt fronts. Anyway Chiltons says to torque the inner nut to 50 ft.lb then loosen it and retorque to 35 ft.lb. Then back it off 3/8 turn or less.Turn the nut to the nearest hole in the lock washer and install the outer nut and torque to 50 ft.lb for through 78.Which is when the 10 bolts started coming in so that should work.Blazin

[adz]

Which type of socket does the spindle nut require on the Chevy D44; 4 or 6 prong? I'm gonna go buy one today, but I haven't opened up the hub yet.

[Shaker]

Originally posted by adz
Which type of socket does the spindle nut require on the Chevy D44; 4 or 6 prong? I'm gonna go buy one today, but I haven't opened up the hub yet.

Take a 4 prong socket about 10-15 bucks at parts store....good luck