Ford manual hub assembly on d44hd

[1971ford]

How do you put ther the outer piece (the chrome surrounding with the knob in the center, pin going through the back) onto the hub (all assembled already).

I'm just wondering how the pin gets into that groove that it needs to get into.

Also, when I have the outer hub piece off, and I push/pull on the axle (using a bolt threaded into the axle end) how much should it move? I thought it should move in and then back out a good half inch atleast to engage/disengage but it only moves 1/4". Maybe that's all it needs, just doesn't seem right.

[fordman]

about the only thing i can do is point you to the diagrams. http://www.fordification.com/tech/schematics_a.htm

[1971ford]

yeah, i know the order in which it all goes together and how the pieces fit together but not how to put it together. I know it makes no sense.

[1972hiboy]

Do you have any pictures? I understand what im reading but Im having a helluva time visualizing it. I have the 44hd in my truck as well. It had the big factory red knob hubs on it. They never really worked worth a da!% for me. ( however ive heard alot of people swear by them and they claimed neever gave them problems) however if those geared plates arent lined up PERFECTLY it wont lock. ( I had a great experiance one day in the mountains , it was raining of course and i got stuck I needed 4x4 and or course it didint work) If your having to take these apart because your having issues with them Id take them off and shelve them. I ended up putting the WARN hub conversions on. Its a much more positive locking system and have worked flawlessly.

[71highboy]

[averagef250]

The old spicers are in a whole different league from Warn's pretend lockout for these axles. Selectro used to have a real good steel hub for them too, but they stuck out a mile.

You should be able to get the pin 3/4 of the way into the knob then slip the knob into the housing, then tap the pin all the way in. Atleast I think that's how it's done. Been quite awhile since I had a 44 with those hubs and I don't have any parts in front of me to look at.

[1972hiboy]

The old spicers are in a whole different league from Warn's pretend lockout for these axles. Selectro used to have a real good steel hub for them too, but they stuck out a mile.

You should be able to get the pin 3/4 of the way into the knob then slip the knob into the housing, then tap the pin all the way in. Atleast I think that's how it's done. Been quite awhile since I had a 44 with those hubs and I don't have any parts in front of me to look at.

Im assuming youve had trouble with the Warns in the past? if so what happened just to keep in mind if mine give me trouble, I wasnt trying to dog on the spicers they just seem finicky and hard to get parts for.

[averagef250]

It's pot metal. The pot metal warn transfers all the axleshafts torque to the hub. Doesn't tale a whole lot to spit the Warn right off the hub leaving the bolts that held it on still there.

Finicky? Take your hubs apart, clean and lube them every couple years or less. If you don't you need one of those new IFS things or a 2wd. Lockouts take awhile to wear out if you just don't give a rats *ss about them, if you take care of them good ones last indefintely.

Tossed a lot of warns in the scrap barrel, ones that were still nice and shiny. Seen more original spicers than I can count with big scrapes and chunks taken out of the STEEL housing still going just peachy.

[1971ford]

I did notice how heavy the spicer cap is. Felt GOOD!

Anyways thanks Dustin that helps, pin 3/4 way in then tappidy tap

[1971ford]

Got the new knob from broncograveyard today. For the record it's one knob not two for the $16 but that's what I figured it would be. And it did not come with the pin. So I got some rod from the local hardware and cut it down.
Put the hub together and tested it out and It's perfect.
Thanks for the help. Going to go test out the 4x4 soon with a buddy.