I went to help my son replace the outer axel seal on his 04 Grand Cherokee.We removed the locking bolt and pulled the pin and attempted to remove the "C" clips to remove the axel.It would not budge.Went to a dealer and found that 01 and up 44's now require you to remove the 4 plate bolts,then with an slide hammer pull the axel part way out.Now drill an 1/8"hole partly thru the bearing,crack this bearing with an cold chizel and re move the seals.Now go to yer jeep store and for a measley $260 in parts,reassemble!What the hell?Those "c" clips have been used for years?Just a way for the dealer to get $ I guess.
Dana 44 rear axels warning!
- Thread starter heminut
- Start date
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
c-clips were never used on a D44 axle to my knowledge, just the D35.
Sounds like normal procedure for removing the bearing and seal on a D44, except for the price. Probably could have gotten away cheaper at the local auto parts stores.
Sounds like normal procedure for removing the bearing and seal on a D44, except for the price. Probably could have gotten away cheaper at the local auto parts stores.
Thats strange as several mechanics were the source about the "C" clips as well as the Jeep garage?They told me that the "C" clips were replaced by the new method in 01?The offical report from Jeeps own computer is to use an slide hammer to gainan 1/4"gap,drill and chizel the bearing into junk,remove 2 other seals + the leaking flat seal,then remove the axel.Why would all these sources be wrong?Just curious.Thanks.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
The Grand was also available with the D35, and maybe that's what they were referring to. The D44 has always been a non c-clip AFAIK.
Dana 44's were not "C" clip axels rears...I stand corrected.Thanks all.
I jes got back and have a ton of guys telling me,but,I think it was the confusuion from too many sources.I remeber some guys using them in early drag cars+ 60' and all sorts of rears......so.being sortta old & senile(Ratz)I am sure I am the mixup here.I do know one thing about rears.Those old stock Chrysler 8 3/4 were not only tough,but,you never broke an extruded axel.A lot of guys were always sure that a forging was so tough,but,an extrusion by its manufacturing process is about a factor of 10 in strength.In 66,we raced an altered wheelbase A990 Hemi with close to 1500 HP and in over 200 match races,never had a whimper from the original rear.....even the 3 bearing Ford 9" would have trouble matching that.Boy,I am glad y'all are keeping me straight on these Jeeps.Thanks Guys.Quick question...in my 95 Cheeroke,can I adjust the "play" in the sector bearing...before I remove the fan etc to gain access?Thanks
I jes got back and have a ton of guys telling me,but,I think it was the confusuion from too many sources.I remeber some guys using them in early drag cars+ 60' and all sorts of rears......so.being sortta old & senile(Ratz)I am sure I am the mixup here.I do know one thing about rears.Those old stock Chrysler 8 3/4 were not only tough,but,you never broke an extruded axel.A lot of guys were always sure that a forging was so tough,but,an extrusion by its manufacturing process is about a factor of 10 in strength.In 66,we raced an altered wheelbase A990 Hemi with close to 1500 HP and in over 200 match races,never had a whimper from the original rear.....even the 3 bearing Ford 9" would have trouble matching that.Boy,I am glad y'all are keeping me straight on these Jeeps.Thanks Guys.Quick question...in my 95 Cheeroke,can I adjust the "play" in the sector bearing...before I remove the fan etc to gain access?Thanks
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