The Dana Spicer Model 44 is a motor vehicle axle manufactured by Dana Corp. These popular axles are sold as both aftermarket axles and as stock axles in many vehicles, including Dodge trucks, Ford F-150s and Jeep Wagoneers. The differential on Dana 44 rear axles has two gears, a pinion gear and a rack gear. When the pinion gear is turned by the drive shaft, it turns the ring gear, which diverts power to the axle shafts and tires. The ring gear transfers the power through the axle shafts to the tires. The distance clearance between the ring and pinion gears is referred to as gear backlash. If the rack and pinion in the Dana 44 are ever replaced, the backlash has to be adjusted.
Jack up the rear end of the vehicle and set it carefully on jack stands.
Place the drip pan underneath the Dana 44 axle and remove the drain plug with the socket set. Allow all the differential fluid to drain and then replace and tighten the drain plug.
Remove the differential cover bolts and then pry the cover off by hand or with a screwdriver.
Set the contact point of the dial indicator gauge against a ring gear tooth. Turn the dial indicator gauge adjustment knob until the needle points to 0.
Adjust the center carrier-bearing nuts from one side with the socket set until the desired backlash is obtained or until the dial indicator gauge is pointed at 0.
Replace the differential cover and then fill the differential with gear oil.
Lower the vehicle down from the jack stands with the jack.
