Dana 44 Pinion Bearing

[Spongebob]

I think that I have isolated a howling coming from the pinion bearing on my rear axle. How hard is this to change out? Do I need to remove the carrier and ring gear to do this? I put the jeep up on jack stands and ran it in gear and you can hear a steady howling and it appears that the pinion is moving slightly. Also if you look closely at the rear end, it appears to jump up every once and a while about 1/8" of an inch. Does anyone have any ideas?



Thanks,

[Az Bratt Pakk]

Sounds like your pinion nut came loose.If you can pull in and out on the yoke it is loose or a wore out bearing.you will have to pull the carrier out to get to the pinion.If you live on the east side you can bring the pinion over I will pull the bearing off for you,and press the new one on.PS dont beat on the threads when you pull the pinion use a large center punch.

[k7mto]

If no center punch, a block of wood works too. And I usually stuff a rag into the housing to protect the pinion teeth (just in case).

[Spongebob]

If I put new bearings in, do I need to put new shims and stuff in there? I've never done this before and don't want to screw anything up. Is this best left to a professional?

[SavageSun4x4]

Sounds like your pinion nut came loose.If you can pull in and out on the yoke it is loose or a wore out bearing.you will have to pull the carrier out to get to the pinion.If you live on the east side you can bring the pinion over I will pull the bearing off for you,and press the new one on.PS dont beat on the threads when you pull the pinion use a large center punch.
X2 on that.

Torque on the big pinion nut is serious stuff, up around 200 ft lbs if I remember and they often can come lose if not torqued properly...

[Az Bratt Pakk]

You will not have to re shim.As for nut torx there is not a sleave to crush so a normal impact will do, you should get a new nut they are crimp lock nut not so good after a few times I use locktight also.

[Spongebob]

So, I pull the rear cover, remove the axles and carrier and stuff and then I can remove the pinion shaft to put new bearings on it? I also noticed that there is a slight (maybe less than 1/16") amount of play in the yoke. Is this normal or should this thing be tight with no movement?


Thanks,

[Az Bratt Pakk]

That is the backlash that is ok.The carrier should be a little tuff to get out just work with it.Dont lose the shims on the pinion those will have to be put back in.They will sometime stick to the outter pinion bearing look with a flash light once you get the pinion out making sure you have got them all.Good luck