I am having a hard time fixing a very small leak in my Ford Dana 44 diff housing. I have checked and re-check the usual suspects...diff cover, pinion seal, and drain plugs. It appears to start near one of the plug welds for the axle tubes. Is that possible? What am I missing? We are talking about one of those annoying little leaks that leaves a small spot on the garage floor.

Sand/grind the area clean and check for a small crack or pin hole. Could even be a porous weld. Silicone might stop it. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I've had Dana's leak at the axle tube/center cast joint. Tough to fix, as the oil interferes with rewelding. Not to mention the fumes blowing up. I've also had them warped or bent, and needing straightening. The last time I changed the gears on the current one, I bit the bullet and had it all done. I don't remember the cost (it was painful). I'd live with it unless someone has a better idea. Or just go to a 9" if you're not a restorer. I like the Dana, but all of mine have been old and abused.

MoonShadow beat me to it. I'd try that first. Mine was too big a leak to do that. Maybe some JB Weld?

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

JB weld cured a small crack in the housing of the Dana on my jeep.

Just cleaned it really well filed it a little.

Used the stuff that is for gas tanks and more petrol resistant.

Buddy's son is still wheeling with it 8 years later.

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC

Thanks guys.  It looks like the JB weld did the trick.