To much fluid in a Dana 44

[hdpusher]

I was recently doing work on a built up Jeep a friend of mine bought. When I checked the fluid level in the rear (a Dana 44) it poured and poured out the inspection hole. Enough fluid poured out of the hole to fill it completly to the top of the rear. The only way to fill the rear that full would have been to put gear oil through the breather or fill the rear while it was out of the vehicle.

Everything on this jeep is very well built and not hacked together. Who ever did this must have done it for a reason if not ignorance what advantage would this offer? Cooling may be?

[BobbyFord]

Maybe they were wet wheeling and the bottom half of that that diff is full of water?

[hdpusher]

Maybe they were wet wheeling and the bottom half of that that diff is full of water?

I did drain and change the fluid. It had some moisture in it but it was nothing excesive.
May be they filled it full of fluid to keep the water out?

[hdpusher]

May be they filled it full of fluid to keep the water out? [/quote]

Nevermind my last remark. Water is denser than oil wouldnt work anyway.

[hdpusher]

[quote="averagef250"]On my 4x4 toys I pick one side up with the tractor, to about 45 degrees and then the fill the rear diffy. This fills one axletube completely and the diff so when you're at 45 degrees the diffy bearings are still nice and cozy.

I prefer welded carriers, pitted ring gears and bearings that roughly resemble bearings.


That sounds like a good reason why it was that full. Also picking up one side to 45 degrees is another way to fill the rear that full.

I noticed you like welded carries too. We call em Lincolin Lockers because you usually weld em up with a Lincolin welder.