Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 81

B R — DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE 3 - 1 5
FRONT AXLE—MODEL 44/80
INDEX
page
GENERAL INFORMATION
FRONT DRIVE AXLE 15
GENERAL INFORMATION 15
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS 16
STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL OPERATION 16
VACUUM DISCONNECT 17
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION 17
DRIVELINE SNAP 18
FRONT DRIVE AXLE 19
GEAR AND BEARING NOISE 18
LOW SPEED KNOCK 18
VACUUM DISCONNECT AXLE/SHIFT MOTOR
DIAGNOSIS 21
VIBRATION 18
SERVICE PROCEDURES
LUBRICANT CHANGE 24
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
AXLE SHAFT OIL SEAL 32
BALL STUDS 44 AXLE 27
BALL STUDS 60 AXLE 27
DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS 32
DIFFERENTIAL 30
DRIVE AXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT 25
G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N
GENERAL INFORMATION
The housing for Model 44/60 front axles consists of
an iron center casting with tubes on each side. The
tubes are pressed into and welded to the differential
housing.
The integral type housing, hypoid gear design has
the centerline of the pinion set below the centerline
of the ring gear.
The axle has a vent used to relieve internal pres­
sure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal
expansion.
The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle
shafts, meaning that loads are supported by the hub
bearings. The axle shafts are retained by nuts at the
hub bearings. The hub bearings are bolted to the
steering knuckle at the outboard end of the axle tube
yoke. The hub bearings are serviced as an assembly.
The axles are equipped with ABS brake sensors.
The sensors are attached to the knuckle assemblies
and tone rings are pressed on the axle shaft. Use
care when removing axle shafts as NOT to dam­
age the tone wheel or the sensor.
page
FINAL ASSEMBLY 38
HUB BEARING AND AXLE SHAFT 26
INTERMEDIATE AXLE SHAFT . . . . . . . . . . 32
PINION GEAR
34
PINION SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT . 28
RING GEAR 34
STEERING KNUCKLE 44 AXLE . . . . . . . . . 26
STEERING KNUCKLE 60 AXLE . . . . 26
VACUUM SHIFT MOTOR 24
ISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
AXLE SHAFT—CARDAN U-JOINT . . . . . . . 38
STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL
39
LEANING AND INSPECTION
AXLE COMPONENTS
39
ADJUSTMENTS
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND
GEAR LASH 42
PINION GEAR DEPTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT AXLE . 45
TORQUE . 45
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT AXLE 46
The stamped steel cover provides a means for
inspection and servicing the differential.
The Model 44/60 axle has the assembly part num­
ber and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is attached
to the housing cover. Build date identification codes
are stamped on the axle shaft tube cover side.
The differential case is a one-piece design. The dif­
ferential pinion mate shaft is retained with a roll
pin. Differential bearing preload and ring gear back­
lash is adjusted by the use of shims. The shims are
located between the differential bearing cones and
case. Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by
the use of a collapsible spacer.
FRONT DRIVE AXLE
The integral type housing, has the centerline of the
pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear.
The axles are equipped with optional A.B.S. brake
system. The A.B.S. tone rings are pressed onto the
axle shaft near the hub and knuckle. For additional
information on the A.B.S. system refer to Group 5,
Brakes.
The Dana 44 and 60 axle has the assembly part
number and gear ratio listed on a tag. The tag is