Posted by Eric B. on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 09:35:55 :
In Reply to: Another W-100 question posted by Tim Holloway on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 08:53:51 :
All of the 1957-60 W100-W200 Dana 44s I have pulled apart had worn out bushings in the knuckles. This is not a problem to be fixed with adjustment, almost always a total rebuild is needed.
There is a lower bearing and a upper bushing. The upper bushing is locked in place on the bearing cap side by a half moon key. Often that bushing is all worn out, and I have seen the lower bearing completely destroyed, more often on the drivers side.
The seals are standard Dana 44 seals, Jeeps, and other brands used the same part. The lower bearing and race should be available from any good bearing house, but the upper bushing is a little more special.
I bought a bunch of them off a Dana/Spicer dealer years ago, but I heard they were all bought up by VPW or something since then.
The instructions in a 1958-71 service manual should be basically the same as the knuckles did not change much over the years.
Good luck!
Eric