1/4" of race play in D44 - Fix?

[rinogo]

Hey guys!

Just took my jeep into the shop for a leaky left rear axle seal which has led to a mountain of repairs...Of course the shoes were soaked, so both had to be repaired, but what worries me most is that once the tech had torn the axle apart, he found that the left rear race was quite loose. With the axle partially disassembled, he showed me how the race spins easily as well as moving in and out - perhaps up to 1/4" (one quarter inch).

He said that this loose race was likely the source of the problems and that if I don't do something about it, I'll just end up trashing my new seal and shoes.

I'm fairly new to lots of this, so I have a bunch of questions...How did the race come loose? By wearing down the inside of the axle housing, I suppose? If I do nothing about the loose race, is it true that I'll be back into the shop quite soon with another leaky seal?

He mentioned something about installing some sort of 'bearing modifier kit' that is supposed to allow me to fit larger bearings into the axle or something...I've never heard of this before and I can't find anything on Google about it... ?

He did mention that he has seen guys pinch up the sides to get it to stay put in the housing, but that he thinks the races come loose in a matter of a few weeks. If I advise him to pinch up the sides of the race (the bearing cup) and use red loctite to secure the race, will this fix the problem?

Is there anything else I should know, or other solutions I should consider?

Thanks so much, guys!
-Rich

 

[jps4jeep]

I am assuming you have an older D44, and I am assuming that you are refering to the race that is part of the axle bearing? if it has any play in it, replace it. that bearing is basically what retains the shaft in the tube (non-clip design)

 

[rinogo]

Yes, it's the axle bearing race, and it seems to be the non c-clip design of axle. If I replace the bearings, though, does that solve the problem? Won't they be loose inside the (now worn down) housing?

Update:
Ok, I just got back from the shop and actually personally inspected the race and axle housing. The race does come out with two fingers alone. I also felt the inside of the axle housing and there is a small groove on the top half of the housing where the race has worn against the housing.

So, it would seem the wheel bearing race is spun to a degree. What now? Every single guy in the shop agreed that band-aid solutions will just land me back in the shop soon, especially if I'm wheeling. They suggested perhaps taking a pop can to make a sleeve to slide around the race before putting it in. To a degree, I tend to agree that this is probably only going to work temporarily - aluminum cans are not known for putting up well with high heat, high friction endurance applications.

Are there other solutions? If I do a band-aid solution (pop can sleeve, tack welding the race, knurling the race, etc), will it truly be temporary, and will I soon be back in the shop with a leaky seal?

What should I do?
-Rich

 

[Utah_jeepster]

At this point to "fix" the problem your going to have to go to over-sized bearing races. Or take the axle to a dedicated axle shop and have them cut off and weld on new ends (a pricey endeavor). Staking a bearing race only helps if you have a few thousands of free play (.002-.005).

 

[Ggg]

Loctite makes a grey epoxy that can be machined, this is what I have used as a temp fix to hold a race in place. But it is only a temporary fix, forget the aluminum can idea, that is a trail fix only as is staking the race in place. Even the over sized bearing will not last because the area where the race sits is egg shaped now and will cause the oversized bearing to work loose. Welding a new end on the housing is a permanent repair but the cost will exceed the cost of a used housing. How to temporarily fix it is up to you, but ultimately you are looking at replacing the housing.

 

[Crazy4diesels]

When I was a kid my Dodge Coronet spun an axle race and wore the housing so that the new bearing was now a loose sliding fit in the housing end. Following the advise of an old time mechanic, I took a prick punch and carefully made a whole bunch of little punch marks in a grid pattern all the way around the inside of the housing (race seat area) . This resulted in a very tight fit for the new race. It never let go (but that was not an off road vehicle :lol: ) . I did not know about stress risers back then... Funny what you can accomplish when you don't know about all the bad stuff. As a friend has said, "The bumble bee does't know he can't fly" . -John