I'm throwing this out there for everybody.

I kinda thought about it last weekend while I had my rear end apart (freshening it up for this racing season).

Basically what I'm thinking.

1. How to check the breakaway on the clutches in your D44 Trac Lok and document what I feel is acceptable/not acceptable for the breakaway TQ readings.

2. Documenting how to disassemble the D44 third member(how to get the Trac Lok carrier out).

3. How to disassemble the Trac Lok posi unit. What to look for with worn clutches and damaged spider gears.

4. How to reassemble the Trac Lok/install new clutches.

5. Reassemble of the third member.

I'll go over a few other things like the inner stub axel side play measurements which have a serious impact on the durability of these units.

I'll can also show how to check the ring gear backlash and pinion bearing drag... Which are just good things to know how to do, as it can show a bad bearing or problem with a gear..... but I don't want to try and turn this into a "how to set up a gear" thread because that would be too much work and this gear is already set up.....

I currently have a Trac Lok to build in the next few weeks (and it is worst case scenario wear wise for a still working unit) so it won't be a problem for me to have the owner take the pics while I work.... That is if you guys would like to see it.

Let me know what you think.
Will

YES!

If I can get away with a rebuild kit and a few bucks in feeler gauges and a run out gauge, I would consider doing my own refresh.

I know that after 185k miles, my D44 can't be in the best of shape.

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Awesome.

I'll post everything in a thread in C4 Tech when he let's me know he's ready. Shouldn't be more than a week or so.
Will

cool!

Looking forward to seeing this.

I am too... will I be brave? donno. I want to learn more before I commit. However, I will learn more than I already do, so making the right choice of shops will be easier.

Either way, informed is informed, right?

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Amen!

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Your right of course, knowledge is the key to making informed decisions.

Rebuilding them is really not THE big deal IMO.

The most important thing is knowing how to check them and knowing when they are worn out....

Hardest part of actually working on them is getting those darn cir-clips/snap rings off the stub axles..... Better have a good set of snap ring pliers and some patience.... A helper with a small screwdriver isn't a bad idea either.

Of course I plan to list all the needed tools and if something a specialty type tool - I'll give a brand and PN to what I used.

I've got a really good, informative thread in my mind.... we'll see if I can get everything down that needs to be seen.

I am also building a REALLY NICE engine for him - So some build pics of that may be coming down the pipe in a few weeks as well... I should have the block back later this week.

Will

Now I am really looking forward to seeing this.

My D44 has 184k miles on it, I am sure its tired... is it done? Na, but tired? For sure. If I continue driving as I do, I figure it has another 50k in it. But a few trips to Willow Springs and all bets are off.

200K on my D44, and I'm pretty sure the posi is just about spent. Looking forward to some good tech!

Alright guys.

I got the rear end out of the car and torn apart this evening. We took plenty of pics of the check out/disassemble of the center section and the Trac-Lok carrier.

I'm going to be another week putting it back together....

I already knew something was up with this posi-unit because it barely had 15-20LBS of breakaway. There was a lot of silver in the oil but the gear surface, the gear pattern all looks good and all the brgs check out fine. When I got to checking the Trac-Lok unit out, the stub axles were at .002 clearance on the drivers side and .011 on the passenger side.

When I got the guts out of the Trac-Lok carrier, the passenger side clutches were mostly worn down to silver. The bevel washer was completely flattened and had galled/welded itself to the side gear.

I was able to use a punch and drive the bevel washer off the side gear but the thrust surface of the side gear is galled up too badly for me to re-use it.

We were able to get the needed parts ordered today - So he should have them next week. Once they come in I'll put it back together and sort thru the pics, write tech stuff out and post up everything.
Will

Hey Guys-

We finally got all the parts to put this thing back together and I got it finished up today.

I think we have about all the pics taken I'll need and Rich is going to upload them to his photobucket as soon as he can.

Once that is done, I'll sort thru it all and get the tech thread going in C4 Tech.

I'm sorry it's taking so long but getting replacement parts for the damaged side/spider gears really turned this into a longer operation than we first thought.
Will

I think this will be well worth the wait.