D44 Tapered reassembly

I am ready to start putting this thing back together. I got my box of seals, shims and gaskets on the "Brown Santa Sleigh" just now. My question, I have the paper gaskets but should I also use RTV? And if so where? My manual just says to use it where appropriate!!

 

here is a diagram from the FSM
the gaskets go outside of the backing plate
one in front of and one behind the outer seal

 

Thank you but is it a good idea to put ATV on the gaskets or put them on dry?

 

if they are really thin, use RTV
if they are the thick paper, I'd go dry
that's my opinion
I've gone dry in the past with no ill results

 

Another question, I did not pull the bearings out but I am pushing some grease into the bearings just cause I'm there. There is a pretty big gap between the seal and the bearing, should I pack some grease into there also.

 

I'm not clear on your question
the inner seal is inside the axle tube or housing and seals on the axle shaft.
The outer seal will seal on the rear wheel hub, not the axle or bearing.
the inner seal keeps the gear oil from coming down the tube towards the wheel.
The outer seal keeps wheel bearing grease from the axle bearing from getting into the brakes.
Did you pull the axle out of the housing ?

 

Hmmmm, no I did not pull the axle. I am just doing brakes and found the shims and seal on the outside where put on wrong by po so I am replacing them in the proper place and order. The outside seal looks like it seal on the tapered axle. I'm going to go make sure I'm thinking correctly.

 

when it's time to put the wheel hub on, a light coating of grease around the rubber of the outer seal and the seal surface on the hub would be a good idea.

 

okay
to shim correctly, you would put the shims behind the backing plate.
before you do that, you could pop/pull the axle shaft out to check the bearing.
but...the inner seal in the tube seals on the machined surface of the shaft between the bearing and the splines end, but much closer to the bearing end.
If you see that, then you would see the difference in diameter between that seal, and the larger diameter outer seal, which seals on the hub.
So..if the axle is still in the Jeep, then you are only dealing with the larger outer metal retainer/seal combo.

 

OK, thanks I got it now.

 

pm me for my pnone number if you need more info or help
Jim

 

Thanks Jim, you're always a big help. I understand that a few of these 44's had a grease fitting tapped into the housing so you could grease the bearing without pulling it down. Mine does not have that but it sounds like a good idea.

 

be sure to shim axle end play to factory specs. very important.question,did they have RTV when your vehicle was manufactured.I hate that crap! sorry for the rant. good luck .

mike starck

 

As far as the gasket sealer, I personally would use the Permatex #2 rather than silicone.

 

I'm putting it together with just the gaskets and I'll see how that works. Seems to me there should only be an issue with grease getting out and dirt in. Here in the desert water getting in isn't much of an issue. Now that I've been into the axles doing it again will be easy. Next time I'll pull the axles and replace bearings and inside seals. Since I didn't pull the axles the shims will just go back on as they were. Cleaning up the RTV from the PO's botched attempt was a mess :=}}