1977 cj5 rear dana 44 help

Tobers

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Location
durham
I am a total rookie. just bought a 1977 cj5 to do with my son. He's headed to college in 18 months and I wanted to have the memories doing it. But we're in over our heads :). Our rear axle is a dana 44, 3.73. The spider gears in the carrier (I think there are 4 of them) are shot -- pieces missing out of them. The ring and pinion look fine -- no signs of stress.

Can I just extract that carrier with the bad spider gears and replace the spider gears? I hear they are easy to come by and either free or cheap. Do I need someone to reset the ring and pinion if I do this or can I just clean out the differential and put new spider gears in there?

I'm in Durham. If I need someone to help, is there anyone out there willing or that you all recommend? Advice welcome. Thanks!
 
Just pull the carrier taking note of where your bearing caps (the U-shaped parts that go over the bearings to hold the carrier in) the shims on the side and the bearing races came from. Put the back EXACTLY as they come out. Knock out the roll pin that holds the Counter shafts. knock out the counter shaft, pull the spiders and washers out. and reinstall with new ones.

This can be tricky as with the shims the carrier is in there pretty tight.

You MIGHT be able to get away without pulling the carrier out. See if you can knock the roll pin out of the counter shaft. tap the counter shaft out some and rotate the carrier to where you can extract the counter shaft and then drop the spider gears.

Note: the side spider gears have a flat washer that can hide pretty flush up against the gear.
 
I don't think a Dana 44 came in the rear a '77 CJ5. Hopefully someone else changed the rear from a AMC 20.
If you are going to change out the spider gears, are you maybe in the future considering a locker?, and if so why not change it over now? Just some thoughts.
Enjoy your fun! T.J.
 
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