Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

So on my 70 K10, I originally thought my leaking front axle issue was coming from my cover, but it turns out to be the pinion seal. I decided to replace the seal. After removing the pinion nut and seal, I was reading that many people match-mark the nut and shaft for reinstalling. Should I have done that on my front axle nut? What is the proper procedure for replacing the front pinion seal? I've seen differing torque values, loctite the nut, Silicone on splines, etc. Can someone help me out? I want to get this back together asap.

Front Dana 44 with pinion seal removed
Attachment 2018938


Original pinion seal
Attachment 2018939


New pinion seal part number
Attachment 2018940


New seal looks different then original one
Attachment 2018941

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

I’ve put several of them back together with white Teflon paste on the threads and a torque of 150ftlbs. Never had an issue at all what so ever. I’m pretty confident the 44’s in these trucks use pinion shims so even when your setting them up for the first time you don’t need a whole lot of torque on the nut. I normally try to use a new lock nut when I replace the seal.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

That is actually the correct seal. The one you are replacing has been replaced before. Pre-lube the seal before installing. Get a bearing race 603049 (as a tool) and use it to put the seal in. You will see it fits in the groove of the seal perfectly, then tap it in with a ball peen hammer. Dana 44 is shimmed so nut tightens down to a about 150 pounds with a few drops of locktite if you are using it over. Put some teflon sealer on the splines also

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

So I see some people put some RTV on the splines. Does that help? And is it recommended?

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

The Teflon paste does the same thing as the silicone but it never fully hardens.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

Yeah, please don't use silicone. After you do, it takes pullers and a hammer to get the yoke off again if needed.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

Yikes. Never thought about that.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

I think there was an oil slinger behind the seal originally (E) and a foam seal to prevent oil from seeping down the splines (B). Or is B the washer?

https://www.pirate4x4.com/d1/tech/bi...re_3_small.jpg

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

Yes there was an oil slinger behind the seal. There was bearing, oil slinger, oil seal, yoke, washer, then nut. I did not have any type of foam seal.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

I've seen them with or without the E slinger. Doesn't make any difference in set-up or the way it runs

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

Thanks again for posting the part number. I got the seal for mine today, went in no trouble and fixed my leak. Coincidentally mine had the same leaking seal as yours, mine wasn’t the rubber lips that were leaking but rather the lower edge of the metal seal body its self(outside diameter of the seal). Mine has the slinger.

Re: Help with Dana-44 front axle pinion seal
 

Finished up mine as well. So far so good.