D44 front end trouble (PICS)

[Mutant Pony]

Well last Labor day we knew that I broke an axle joint in the DeRanged Mudder. When it happened I was sure it was much worse, I yelled out the window "broken diff". When we got it out of the mud we saw it had a broken joint. "Oh, is that all". I finally got time to work on it. I pulled the axle and installed a new joint. The axle would not go back in! I shined a flashlight in to the axle tube and saw that the side gear was halfway down the hole. "Oh, That can't be good".

I haven't found a large piece of the main pin, It must be up between the pinion bearings.
I don't have any spare parts so I'm done for a while. I will have to run the 'frog instead.

 

[lil red]

ya, i think you broke it

ya know what, why not take it babk out anb break a couple more things

 

[86ford]

Well last Labor day we knew that I broke an axle joint in the DeRanged Mudder. When it happened I was sure it was much worse, I yelled out the window "broken diff". When we got it out of the mud we saw it had a broken joint. "Oh, is that all". I finally got time to work on it. I pulled the axle and installed a new joint. The axle would not go back in! I shined a flashlight in to the axle tube and saw that the side gear was halfway down the hole. "Oh, That can't be good".

I haven't found a large piece of the main pin, It must be up between the pinion bearings.
I don't have any spare parts so I'm done for a while. I will have to run the 'frog instead.

i have seen some fucked up things but this takes the cake.

86

 

[Mutant Pony]

Darn Trac loc! The 351c isn't THAT powerful. LOL.

 

[KELLY88]

Nope, not too good at all. Well at least you got a backup vehicle.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The 'frog doesn't mind water but, it really doesn't like mud. Sand is really it's forte. I'm really depressed about this. I'm at a loss as what to do.

 

[KELLY88]

The 'frog doesn't mind water but, it really doesn't like mud. Sand is really it's forte. I'm really depressed about this. I'm at a loss as what to do.

The answer is obvious. If you break something pretty badly like that then it just means it's time to go bigger. Time for a Dana 60.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I'm confidant that the 44 can hold up in this truck, just not with a Trac loc.
I can't afford a good locker much less a D60.

 

[metalmacguyver]

That is some impressive carnage man.

 

[superdave1984]

A little duct tape and you're good to go. And I agree with upgrading. I had a 351C in a Mustang and that was one torquey bastard. Broke u-joints all the time. Never did that kind of damage though. What did the D-44 come out of?

EDIT: here's a good article on various axles and the strength of each.
http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/154_0708_weakest_to_strongest_axles/index.html

 

[rangerslim]

good Lord.

 

[engdept]

Not to sound too crappy, but that is some awesome breakage!

 

[Ranger44]

Wow that's pretty tore up. Nothing like a good carnage pic.....makes my day. Good luck on getting that fixed Mutant.

 

[Sunk]

Man that thing is messed up! What 'cha got in that Cleveland?

 

[Mutant Pony]

The "c" is pretty much stock. Just big tube headers and flowmasters. It still has the stock C6 in it. I've got lots of upgrades for the motor and trans but, no time to work on it.
I've seen an HD44 hold up to a built 460 with 38s. I know that the little 44 will hold up to a 351c and 33s. The trac loc is just too weak. I just need to figure out what to do next, Open? Lunchbox? Welded? If I could find a good deal on a GOOD posi and gears I would go for it.