Dana 44 knuckles

What is the best way to remove the knuckles off a Front Axle Dana 44?

 

just the outer knuckles, or are you trying to get the inners too?

 

I want to rotate the knuckles to correct my caster instead of using shims.

 

I just used an angle grinder, and ground the weld all the way around the tube until I could see the "line" where the tube ends and knuckle begins. Then I clamped the axle down, and beat on the inner knuckles with a hammer until I got the desired angle. Then I welded them up with a big ol buzz box. Its alot of work, and don't under estimate the amount of force needed to move the knuckle even once the weld is broken.

 

thanks... I'll be trying this in a few weeks. I just got a wagoneer front 44 and want to shorten and rotate the knuckles. What length do you think I should cut it to? My rear is a stock 75 dana 44.

 

doesn't he have to grind out the rotissarie welds? those welds must be ground pretty clean to rotate a axle tube in the housing without cracking it. those tubes were pressed in.I don't think it will be fun at all.

 

He's talking about moving the outer C's not the axle tube itself. I have this same project coming up in the next few months. CJ5Doc, let us know how it goes. I've heard that it's not too bad a job.

 

you can get it done in a day. Took me a week working an hour at a time on and off. (disclaimer I was doing it on a d30.)

 

Anyone recommend a width to cut it down to?

 

depends on what overall width you're looking for. Personally I recommend going widetrack 30 width. It gives you a tighter turning radius 'cause your tires aren't hitting the springs and frame, depending on wheel width and offset......

 

What is 30 width?

 

If you cut it down any, aren't you now resigned to having custom axle shaft lengths made?
I would thing that would be undesirable.

 

Oh yeah, I think that widetrack 30 width is what is under the 80's CJs

 

Model/Version Spring Pads Wheel to Wheel Years
Dana 30/CJ Narrow Track 28" 53" '72-'81
Dana 30/CJ Wide Track 28" 56" '82-'86

 

Dana 30/CJ Narrow Track 28" spring pad to spring pad 53" wheel mount to wheel mount
Dana 30/CJ Wide Track 28" " " 56" " "

Info from JeepTech.com

 

correct Posimoto.... but I am talking about 76 or 77 Dana 44 from a wagoneer..... I believe it is 58 wheel to wheel. Should I cut it down to 53 like the stock dana 30 or should I keep it somewhere between 53 and 58? What has other people done that with this axle swap? I have read lots of info on how to do it, but I just wanted to hear peoples opinions on and experiences on their swap.

 

I'd cut it to match the rear axle. Or you could cut it to the WT width and use spacers on the rear wheels to match. I believe you can only cut one side and get the proper width. Then you only need one custome axle size. Get your tape out and take lots of measurements and stare at it awhile. I've had 1 1/4" spacers on the rear axle for about 3 years and never had any problems with them.

 

I'd research stock axle shaft lengths before you cut it. If you can you might be able to use a stock axle out of something else which is cheaper and easier to obtain. Although its not hard to get shafts shortened, just an added expense.

As to what width you want to go, well that all depends on what you want to do with the jeep. I liked 58" WMS on my cj5 with 36" tires, but I was also rockcrawling with it. The extra width helps stability and keeping the rocks off the body. However, if your not going as extreme, then narrower works and is more "legal" in some parts of the country.

Isn't the spring perch width wide on waggy axles? That might effect how you want to narrow it also.

As for turning the inner C's, grind down the welds till you can see the seperation crack all the way around. Then heat the C's with a torch and smack them with a BFH till there where you want them.

Kevo

 

Is there a minimum width the wagoneer axle must be kept inorder to keep the stock CJ spring perch width AND not have to offset the driveshaft?
Do you only have to shorten the driver side to achieve this width?