Closed Knuckle Dana 44HD Rebuild

On this episode I complete my Dana 44 HD axle rebuild and get the axle ready to go in the truck.
Dana 44HD 3500lbs closed knuckle axle rebuild parts list
Front Inner 362A Race Only 2x
Front Inner 368a bearing 2x
Front outer Timken SET38 2x
Knuckle bearing 23100 4x
Knuckle race 23256 4x
Hub seal NATIONAL 40769S 2x
Wiper seals QA4936 Torque king
Brake shoes Raybestos 33PG
Brake drums raybestos 2018R 2x
Hardware kit raybestos h7139
Self adjuster kit Carlson H2547

[@fomocoloco7172]

I look forward to these so much. I love it already and haven't even watched it.

[@offgridmangogrower]

Thanks for presenting the closed knuckle assembly…..I’m looking for any guidance in a cross over steering using a 2 wheel d box And hanging discs on a HD Dana closed knuckle?

[@nicolasstanley1392]

Awesome , as always, Matt. I've had to throw together my current build as I am in need of a tug truck. I look forward to the day I can be as meticulous as you.

[@gregpeacock1794]

So glad you did this video !! turned out great

[@daveanderson2316]

Looks great Matt. Thanks for sharing.

[@diyjeff1838]

Nice work!!!

[@joshm3875]

Hey Matt, hope you see this! You're doing a great job on this pickup. Those Warn hubs with the drag shoe nut and drag shoes are made that way because they will function as an automatic hub. If the hub is in "free" position, you stop and engage the transfer case, the spindle turns the shoes against the nut and shift the hubs into "lock" automatically. When you shift the transfer case back to 2wd the opposite happens. That's why they are much more complicated than a traditional hub. They are a great hub and way ahead of their time, but their operation and construction is misunderstood and left many mixed opinions on them. International Harvester offered them as factory equipment and they are somewhat common in that world, there's a lot of information on the IH forums per their operation if you ever have trouble. Just thought I'd pass that along.

[@MattKubik1791]

Thank you for this! I did realize that they were automatic after this video and I was assembling the drive shafts. I spun the front axle and the hubs locked! I thought something was wrong until I actually read the owners manual in the original box and realized they lock automatically. Very cool!

[@joshm3875]

@@MattKubik1791 They are neat hubs, and work really well when everything is set up right!

[@Spankins4853]

Hi @Joshm3875 do you happen to know where to get any parts for these hubs? I have a set which I am putting on my highboy and I am missing that special nut and washer and some of the special bearing/pins. Thanks for any info you might have.

[@jacobkey2692]

Thanks man! Good video as always!

[@MattKubik1791]

Thanks for watching!

[@arcadiaoutlaw]

I guess you were going for a certain look but the Warn Premiums look like they would look like a cleaner install getting rid of that spacer ring & gasket it uses. My 72 had the large lockouts and I always was wondered what that was about being other 3/4 ton trucks used the more common smaller lock outs , same as half ton trucks.

[@MattKubik1791]

Nothing wrong with warn premiums I just liked the old school look

[@deanhubbard9599]

Bearing numbers are universal world wide.

[@hummervee3395]

Thanks for your thorough work standards. I really enjoy the details in your videos. That set-up looks a lot like the front axle in my 65 chevy K20 crew cab. If you know, did Chevy use same 44 HD? I’m asking because I saw your nice part number list.

[@faronf2006]

Wow ...turned out so AWESOME ....where did you end up purchasing those beautiful lock out hubs ?

[@morgansword]

I have done a lot of these trucks when they were new trucks. I always hated the hub and drum assembly or the fact that the drums were not outboard style. I used to make all my two ton trucks to four wheel drive.... I did have some creative builds for sure. I am sure that you worked on the 95 to 97 model f350s and the press release on the drag nut. I was a bit confused when first saw and worked on them but soon a favorite as the bearing load is so absolute. So have they ever started making a hub assembly that the drum just slide off?

[@briangrosse2099]

You mention that someone packed greased in the swivel bearings and NOT to do that. What is the proper method? Also, do you recommend corn head grease in the closed knuckle? Thanks

[@sbd-xn4fu]

Can you post all the part numbers please? Having a hard time sourcing parts for my 44HD. Thank you, love your videos.

[@MattKubik1791]

I will see If I can get a parts list together,

[@matthewgirard8164]

@@MattKubik1791 I could use that list also to be honest. Coming up empty handed on parts for this thing lol

[@MattKubik1791]

Dana 44HD 3500lbs closed knuckle axle rebuild parts list Front Inner 362A Race Only 2x Front Inner 368a bearing 2x Front outer Timken SET38 2x Knuckle bearing 23100 4x Knuckle race 23256 4x Hub seal NATIONAL 40769S 2x Wiper seals QA4936 Torque king Brake shoes Raybestos 33PG Brake drums raybestos 2018R 2x Hardware kit raybestos h7139 Self adjuster kit Carlson H2547

[@sbd-xn4fu]

@@MattKubik1791 You are the Man! Thank you!

[@Monster911]

Say, does anyone know the Part # and company of the pinion seal that he used on this Dana 44HD?

[@kennethdaust3793]

Hi you went fast on the wiper seal set up. Can you tell me the order they go in? Thanks

[@chrisretired5379]

Thank You, awesome video ! I have one of these 44HD, saving for perhaps a future vehicle. Wonder if their is a disc brake kit for it

[@MattKubik1791]

I know Brycen at PRD is working on one for the closed knuckle axles. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chrisretired5379]

@@MattKubik1791 Oh thanks for the correspondence! Didn’t expect, since video is from awhile back. I’m currently watching your videos, what a dream come true yard/shop you have !! Other than an F-150, I have a 92 F-350 4wheel drive, ex Air Force. Has the 460 with C-6, so might be either special order or military date of birth different, to have a C-6. Use it for plowing, it’s reliable at near 200K miles

[@andrewbauer3792]

Super helpful video! I have a question. Checking on RockAuto and hub seal, NATIONAL 40769S, doesn't match in size. The hub seals from my '63 44HD axle are a touch over 3.5" OD. Do I have an odd hub, or is RockAuto incorrect?

[@MattKubik1791]

I am not sure, I have not messed with with the early 4wd trucks before.

[@andrewbauer3792]

@@MattKubik1791, just found it, NATIONAL 416273, in case this helps anyone else.

[@markraymond2221]

Hey Matt,.....Great set of videos! And I appreciate you doing them. Hey, could you tell me what/where to find that half grease/half oil lube you used on the knuckle bearings and wiper seal? thanks again!

[@MattKubik1791]

It come from torque king

[@dennisoliver-i5o]

I'm about to tear apart a Dana 44 not HD. This will be my first time in a closed u joint front end. In watching your video I see no reference for a spindle bearing and seal. I am also not finding anything for parts so far. Does the closed front end have a bearing and seal inside the spindle? If so, where were you able to find them? Are they possibly the same kit as on an open u joint front end?

[@MattKubik1791]

Are you referring to a bearing for the stub shaft in the spindle? If so there is a bronze bushing that is replaceable. No seal. Torqueking.com should have all the parts you need.

[@andrewward1887]

Good video but I would recommend blasting all your parts first and paint everything apart then assemble,when you assemble first then blast you run the risk of getting media in the new bearings and places you don't want it.

[@MattKubik1791]

have to make sure everything is sealed up and be gentle around the sealed areas!

[@CB31378]

Awesome video! Thanks. What was the paint with the hardener you used? How is it holding up?

[@MattKubik1791]

It’s Carbothane 133 HB

[@loganthatcher2664]

Hey, my name is Logan and I have a 1971 f250 highboy with stock Dana 44s and I am having trouble finding rebuild kits or parts for the locking hubs. I was wondering where you got your parts? I would greatly appreciate if you responded thank you!

[@chrisretired5379]

Try Torque King

[@lawrenceaiello8654]

Matt, I have a set of Warn lock o matics to install. How do I get the stock locking ring out? Thx. Larry

[@MattKubik1791]

After you remove the snap ring on the end of the stub shaft it should just slide out. But they can get hung up on buggered up splines right at the snap ring groove. If that’s the case you will have to file the burr off. Hope this helps.

[@austinmclaen4007]

King Pin bearing pre load?

[@nigelgerman5303]

What? Type of oil.Did you use in the knuckles

[@MattKubik1791]

Closed knuckle lubricant from torque king

[@fomocoloco7172]

Is there anything like a lunch box locker that fits in these old Dana 44hds?

[@MattKubik1791]

any of the standard dana 44 stuff is interchangeable with these axles. But I would recommend against a mechanical locker in the front axle. It makes steering very difficult. A selectable locker is always my go to in the front axle.

[@nohtgonahappen7314]

What if you have pitting on the knuckles are they salvageable?

[@offgridmangogrower]

I would use two part filler…then sand smoothly

[@Calico997]

hey is it true that these rear end alone are 2500