What is a closed knuckle Dana 44?
With a closed knuckle axle, the back side of the steering knuckles are sealed to keep lubricant in and water out of the axle u-joints and knuckle bearings/bushings. The axle u-joint is not visible unless the axle is disassembled.
What is a closed knuckle axle?
Ball joint vs. Kingpin With an open-knuckle axle you will have either two ball joints or an upper kingpin and a lower pivot pin around which the knuckle pivots, whereas a closed knuckle only uses a kingpin or pivot-pin design.
Are all Dana 44 spindles the same?
From early 1977 to 1980, the front Spindle is the same for all GM Dana 44s. None of these Spindles are interchangeable due to different diameters of the inner wheel bearing. The dead spindle design of the 1973-1980 GM Dana 44 front axle uses a needle bearing to support the outer axle shaft.
How strong is a built Dana 44?
They are about as strong as a 10 bolt. They saw duty under supercharged stude v8s so they can be too weak.
Are king pins better than ball joints?
Kingpin knuckles are generally stronger, easier to maintain, and more durable than ball joint knuckles. Also, if you break an axle, the broken chunks can pop out the ball joints in a ball joint knuckle–kingpins cannot be popped out like that.
What is kingpin axle?
The steer axle kingpin is the pivot point between the axle beam and the wheel ends. It is also the point of connection for the spindle knuckle, the wheel ends, and the steer axle.
How big of a tire can a Dana 44 handle?
36-inch
We often get asked how big a tire a Dana 44 can hold up to. That’s not an easy question to answer. Several factors, such as terrain, vehicle weight, driving style, and engine output, come into play. However, as a very general rule, a 36-inch tire is about the limit for a Dana 44.
Is a Dana 60 kingpin stronger than a ball joint?
Yes, a kingpin is and always be strong than a ball joint, mainly because a ball joint just has a large crimp holding it all together. Do you need it? The Dana 60 Lower ball joint is a lot larger than a Dana 44 ball joint (the upper, not so much).