[Olin18]

I am slowly starting to my front axle together. Step one is to get the knuckels off and send them out to get "flat topped and drilled" Here is the axle info
Came from a 1977 FSJ.
I am wondering what size the nuts on the ball joints are. I have done some research and found a listing that the upper ball joint is 1-5/16th inch and the lower ball joint is 7/8th.
Do all Jeep Dana 44s have the same size ball joints or did they change them at some time. The info I got was from a much later than 1977 D44.
If someone could conferm this 1-5/16" upper ball joint fact that would be great. I want to be fully sure because I don't have a socket that big, and I just priced them.... They are 40 bucks. I want to make darn sure I get the right one.
Thanks.

 

[TOM85CJ7]

Upper nut is 1-5/16" got mine at Sears with a 3/4"-1/2" drive adapter.
Lower is 1-1/8"

I have a '77 Wag axle sitting in my shop right now. You also need a tool to tighten the adjuster rings on the upper ball joints. If you don't torque the adjuster nut to specs your ball joints won't last very long. Ask me how I know.........

Here is the tool:
http://www.all-tool.com/BY_MASTER_CATAGORY/Automotive_Service/Tie_Rod-Ball_Joint_Tools/Tie_Rod-Ball_Joint_Tools/tie_rod-ball_joint_tools_22.htm

Looks like this:

Later,
Tom

 

[Olin18]

Thanks ever so much Tom, that was most helpfull. I can now order the socket with piece of mind that I am not wasting 40 bucks. I am going to have to try and convince some friends to convert to D44 fronts, just so I can lend them my socket, just so it will get used.

Do I need to get that adjuster ring tool in order to get the knuckels off? Or is that just somthing you need to get them back together?

Thanks again.

 

[TOM85CJ7]

The spanner socket is only necessary for torqueing the adjustment nut during installation. The old adjustment nut will usually spin out by hand, or you can use a hammer and screwdriver to start spinning it out.

Later,

 

[WILL]

I did the same as Tom and got a 1-5/16" socket at sears along with a 1/2" drive to 3/4" drive adapter and I think I only spent about $20. Another use you will get out of that socket is the pitman arm nut. All the FSJ dana 44's, the pre-90's full size truck (dodge, chevy, ford) dana 44's, the CJ's dana 30's and the scout dana 44's use the same ball joints.