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What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:35 am
by ChrisL
I carry a good amount of tools with me when we go offroading. What are the special tools required for trailside repairs? I was watching Mike repair his front D30 and he needed some stupid large socket for the castle nut. Maybe 36mm?
What socket is required for a factory dana 44 to remove/replace the spider? I may want to carry one including a spare spider.
Chris
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:52 am
by MDSRACING398
Some had 36mm early on.
some had 35mm. tj was 36
I know some aftermarket come with 36mm.
Spider?
If by spider you mean the joint usually if it breaks you destroy the shaft and are just removing the inner to get off the trail if don't have replacement shaft.
13mm to remove bearing.
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 12:01 pm
by RandyCarol
36 mm hub nut, 19 mm lug nuts, 21 mm caliper bolts, 12 point 13 mm unit bearing to steering knuckle bolts (best done with a wrench due to clearance)
You can carry some U joints if you get lucky and the shaft ears don’t get messed up, but expect to pull the shaft and plug the tube
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:07 pm
by ChrisL
Mike was gracious enough to show us all sorts of axle failures that day so I know that having a spider is not the be-all-end-all. He ended up pulling the inner axle to get back on the trail. Out of 20 + trucks, only one had the socket, I want to carry that socket. If we did not have that socket, he would have to had been dragged out.
Randy, thanks for all the other specs, I generally have all of those.
What are the other "odd-ball" tools we need for a trailside repair?
Chris
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:12 pm
by MDSRACING398
If you don't have the socket you can still remove the shaft and bearing together. Pull the inner and reinstall. Saves a step too.
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:11 pm
by RandyCarol
ChrisL wrote: ↑Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:07 pm
Mike was gracious enough to show us all sorts of axle failures that day so I know that having a spider is not the be-all-end-all. He ended up pulling the inner axle to get back on the trail. Out of 20 + trucks, only one had the socket, I want to carry that socket. If we did not have that socket, he would have to had been dragged out.
Randy, thanks for all the other specs, I generally have all of those.
What are the other "odd-ball" tools we need for a trailside repair?
Chris
-Length of chain to stop axle droop when jacking
-Ratchet straps
-Colby emergency tire valve
-Tire plug kit, a decent one
-Vice grips to pinch brake line
-Spare U joint and straps if aftermarket driveshaft
-Pry bar
Re: What tools to replace a u-joint spider on a Dana 44
Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2021 9:03 pm
by pirahnah3
Also, for those that have not seen it yet, Dorman has now made replacement bolts for the hub that DO NOT need the 8 point socket anymore, they are standard hex heads. I bought three sets of them for mine so that I can easily change out the old ones when I next need to remove them. Means one less tool to carry.
As for the large socket, I beleive I picked mine up at either O'rileys or Autozone as they had them in stock for fairly short money, I believe <$20.