Parts for 1961-1975 Ford F-250 4x4 Trucks with Dana 44 Heavy Duty Closed Knuckle Front Axles

We stock a good selection of parts for 1961 to 1975 Ford 4x4s with heavy-duty Dana-Spicer 44 closed knuckle front axles. For the 1959 model year, Ford introduced the first factory built Ford 4x4 pickup which was only available with a standard-duty Dana-Spicer 44 in both F-100 1/2 ton and F-250 3/4 ton drivetrains. Starting In 1961, an optional, Heavy-Duty version of the Dana-Spicer 44 front axles with 12 bolt Ball Seals was offered for the F-250. The new, heavy-duty axle used the same differential components as the standard axle, but all other components from axle shafts to wheel hubs were beefed up to handle greater front axle weights. Ford continued to use Model 44HD closed knuckle axles right through the 1975 model year on heavy duty F-250 4x4 trucks. Ford was the last U.S. vehicle manufacturer to use closed knuckle axles on 3/4 ton models. For 1976, all Ford F-250 4x4 trucks would have either an open knuckle Dana 44 (Regular Cab) or Dana 60 (Crew Cab).
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Axle Identification
The 3500 pound capacity Dana Spicer Model 44 Heavy Duty closed knuckle front drive axle was an option on Ford F-250 regular cab 4x4 trucks from 1961 to 1975. While the gear set and differential are the same as a standard Dana 44, almost all other components are larger and heavier. The easiest way to tell the standard Dana 44 from the Heavy Duty model is to glance at the Ball Seal bolted to the back side of the knuckle. Standard 44s use a seal retained by 8 bolts. The Dana 44HD has a seal secured by 12 bolts. Ford also used a 3800 pound Dana 60 closed knuckle axle for use in 1973-1975 F-250 Crew Cab trucks which shares the many of the same steering and hub components as the Dana 44HD. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
Dana Axle ID Tag
Click to enlarge		 1961-1975 Dana 44HD Front Axles in F-250 4x4s will have a Dana Bill of Material Number (BOM) stamped either on the axle tube or a metal tag. 1965-1975 Dana 44 Front Axles in Ford Trucks had a Ford Axle Code Tag with the Ford Production Part Number and Dana Bill of Material Number (BOM) stamped on a Build Tag (red arrow) attached to the differential by two of the differential cover bolts (yellow arrows) when the vehicle was shipped from the factory but, unfortunately, these tags are often missing on trucks that had prior differential service. 1961-1964 axles should have a Dana Bill of Material Number (BOM) stamped on the front side of the right axle tube. The BOM number is a 4 to 6 digit number plus a dash number (ex: 610604-2). They can be used to determine not only the axle model, but also what components the axle was originally built with. We often ask for this number to insure we provide you with the exact parts you need for your truck.

Each different BOM number signifies an engineering part change which may be minor or major and may involve one or more parts. The dash number indicates the axle ratio.

  

Click to enlarge

Cover: 10 Bolt, 10-3/8" high

Ring Gear:

  
  Suspension: Leaf spring  
  Axle Shafts U-Joints: External Snap Ring Type  

Click to Enlarge		 Knuckle Type: Closed with 12 Bolt Ball Seal.  

Click To Enlarge		 Knuckle Bearing: Upper and Lower King Pins use QU50600 large taper roller bearings.  
Bill of Material Numbers    
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Axle Assemblies and Axle Housings
No axle housings or assemblies in stock at this time! Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
     
     
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Axle Shafts
Ford F250 Dana 44 Heavy Duty Front Axle Shafts take external snap ring axle universal joints. Dana discontinued production of these axle shafts decades ago so availability of new shafts is quite limited. The leading cause of axle shaft failure is lack of lubrication in the Knuckle Ball. If the oil leaks out of the Knuckle, your axle u-joints, king pin bearings and axle support bushing(s) go dry. With no lubrication, these parts will quickly fail. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
  QU40575 1967-1975 Front Outer Axle Shaft for Ford F-250 4x4 Trucks with Dana 44HD closed knuckle Front Axles. Fits left or right side.
     
     
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Axle Shaft Seals and Seal Kits for Inner Axle Shafts
The original Inner Axle Seal setup for most Ford Dana 44HD front axles used a thin seal with a separate axle shaft guide. This has been replaced by a unitized seal that incorporates the axle shaft guide with a seal in a single unit. Given the age of these trucks, Inner Axle Seal replacement should be high on the list of any front axle restoration project. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU40055 Inner Axle Shaft Oil Seal with integral axle shaft guide for all 1961-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD Front Drive Axles.
     
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Axle Universal Joints
The Closed Knuckle Ford Dana 44HD axle uses solid cross, external snap ring universal joints without seals that are designed to be bathed in lubricant from the closed knuckle balls. By today's standards, these u-joints are undersized, but given the lighter vehicle weights and modestly powered engines of the early 1960's to mid 1970's, the joint size was adequate. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
  QU40424 Axle Universal Joint for Ford 1961-1975 F-250 Dana 44HD Front Axles is a genuine Dana Spicer original equipment replacement, solid cross, external snap ring type, front axle universal joint without seals
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Brake Parts
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Closed Knuckle Parts
We stock the regular service closed knuckle parts for your 1961-1975 Regular Cab Ford F-250 4x4 with a closed knuckle Dana 44 Heavy Duty front axle which will have 12 bolt Knuckle Ball Hemisphere Seals. With a Closed Knuckle axle, the axle universal joints and king pin bearings are lubricated by very heavy oil or a viscous grease that will flow when the axle shafts rotate. A large multi-piece seal is bolted to the backside of the steering knuckle to keep lubricant in and water out. On poorly maintained closed knuckle axles or axles equipped with lockout hubs that are rarely used in 4x4, the upper king pin bearing and axle universal joint can suffer from lack of lubrication. The Ball Seals will usually weep some lubricant especially when standard gear oils are used as a lubricant. Submersion of the axle under water or condensation from temperature changes can cause moisture to build up inside the enclosed ball and lead to corrosion damage and part failures. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU40189 1961-1975 Ford F-250 12 Bolt Knuckle Ball Seal Kit for Dana 44 Heavy Duty Front Axles is genuine original equipment Kit for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QK4765 1961-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44 Heavy Duty Closed Knuckle Preload Shim Kit for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle. Kit includes 11 shims total.
QK4618 1961-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44 Heavy Duty Large Closed Knuckle Bearing Kit includes four Knuckle Bearings, four Knuckle Bearing Cups, and Preload Shims for Dana 44 Heavy Duty closed knuckle front axles in 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50600 Timken® Knuckle Bearing for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50601 Timken® Knuckle Bearing Cup for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
     
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Differential and Pinion Bearings (Individual)
There was a differential Side Bearing change which according to Dana was effective with the 1967 model year. My Ford parts books do not give a year break and my memory is a bit hazy on which years took the small ID or Large ID Bearings, but I believe 1967 was the change over year.
All bearings are not created equal for fit or durability, so we only stock first class, long lasting, Timken® Differential and Pinion Bearings for your Dana front axle. Timken® was and is a a major original equipment supplier of top-notch bearing components to Dana Spicer. Since I first started rebuilding Dana axles in the mid 1970's, I have found Timken® Bearings to be the most consistent in relation to the published dimensions of any bearing on the market which makes rebuilding an axle right the first time a WHOLE lot easier! 		Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU50533 Timken® Outer Pinion Bearing Cup for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50534 Timken® Outer Pinion Bearing for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50535 Timken® Inner Pinion Bearing Cup for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50536 Timken® Inner Pinion Bearing for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle.
QU50538 Timken® Large Inside Diameter Differential Side Bearing for 1967-1975 Ford F-250 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle that has differential side bearing with an inside diameter of 1.796". (uses 2)
No Photo QU50683 Timken® Small Inside Diameter Differential Side Bearing for 1961-1966 Ford F-250 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle that has differential side bearing with an inside diameter of 1.688". (uses 2)
QU50537 Timken® Differential Side Bearing Cup for 1961-1975 3/4 ton F-250 Regular Cab 4x4 trucks with the optional Dana 44HD closed knuckle front axle. (uses 2)
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Differential Bearing and Seal Kits
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Differential Parts
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Gaskets and Gasket Makers
In the mid 1970's Dana made a differential cover design change to heavy gauge covers with flat mating flanges. Unlike the previous, thin gauge covers with embossed flanges which were made for use with a cut gasket, the new design, thick gauge covers are designed for sealing with RTV. If you desire, you can still use a gasket with the new type cover by combining the gasket with thin films of RTV. We stock both Ultra Gray RTV Sealant and genuine Dana Gaskets. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
TK40573 Torque King® 6 Bolt Front Hub Gasket for 1963-1975 Ford F-250 with a Closed Knuckle Dana 44HD Front Axle is a brand new, precision cut, high-tech hub gasket.
QU40395 Special Metal Hub Gasket for Ford Factory Free-Running Factory Hubs on 1963-1975 Ford F-250 with a Closed Knuckle Dana 44HD Front Axle. 
QU40214 Dana 44 Cover Gasket is a genuine original equipment Dana Gasket for all Dana-Spicer Model 44 axles
S82194 Ultra Gray RTV Sealant combines high adhesion and resistance to both conventional and synthetic gear lubes. The perfect choice to seal the differential cover on your later production closed knuckle Dana 44HD front axle.
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Hubs and Hub Parts
The 1972-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD 3500 pound capacity front axle with factory lockout hubs came with a Spicer, plastic dial hub lock. We do not have a source for new wheel hubs, but we still have a few hub parts for the factory Spicer hub locks left in stock. 1971 and prior trucks with lockouts were equipped with Spicer aluminum dial or Warn hubs depending upon the year. Even though the factory hubs did vary, all years have the same bolt pattern and axle shaft spline count making the wheel hubs interchangeable Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU40548 M31E Warn Lock-O-Matic Hub Set
QU40256 Dana Spicer Red Plastic Hub Dial is a genuine replacement part for 1972-1975 Ford F-250 3/4 ton trucks with the big Dana 6 Bolt factory installed, external mount hubs. Red dial with Ford decal. 
QU40471 Spicer Hub Dial Sealing Ring is a V-Seal type sealing ring that fits QU40256 Hub Dial.
  QU20112 Spicer Hub Dial Snap Ring SOLD OUT!
QU40406 Spicer Hub Cam for external mount hubs is a genuine replacement part for early to mid 1970's Ford and GM 3/4 ton trucks with Dana model 44 front axles and factory installed, Dana external mount (6 3/8" bolts) hubs.
QU20109 Spicer Hub Axle Shaft Drive Gear
QU20114 Spicer Hub Clutch Gear
QU40032 Axle Shaft Snap Ring
QU40546 Spicer Hub Outer Chrome Cap
QU40547 Spicer Splined Hub Body
QU40257 Dana Spicer Hub Bolt for external mount hubs are genuine original equipment replacement socket head bolts.  Fits 1972-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD front axle with factory installed Spicer external mount hubs. 3/8"-16 thread.
QU40231 Spicer Hub Sealing Washer is both a lockwasher and sealing washer.
QU50160 Small Selectro Hub Cam fits popular aftermarket replacement Selectro and Dualmatic Classic series hubs with big cast iron dials that were widely sold in the late 1970 and 1980s to replace malfunctioning OEM hubs. This 2-5/8" OD plastic cam is a genuine replacement part for the original failure prone, cast aluminum hub cams most of these hubs were built with.
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Manuals and Technical Information
Dan the Gear Man® Product Note: Knowing how to do the job right the first time is half the battle. With our detailed, easy to read, and well illustrated technical publications, you get accurate service procedures, torque specifications, and tool recommendations. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
TM4400P Pinion and Differential Bearing Service On Dana-Spicer Monobeam Axle covers step by step in text and photos the differential service procedures, specifications, and tools needed to replace differential and pinion bearings in Dana Spicer front or rear drive axles.
     
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Miscellaneous Parts
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Pinion Seals and Pinion Yokes
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Ring and Pinion Kits
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Small Parts
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Spindles and Spindle Nuts
We stock the spindle nut parts for 1959-1975 Ford regular cab F-250 Dana 44HD front closed knuckle axle which uses a 3 piece double nut and washer set to adjust and retain the wheel bearings. We no longer have a source for new spindles. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU40004 1959-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD Front Inner Spindle Nut threads on the spindle and fits against your outer wheel bearing to provide correct wheel bearing end-play.
QU40060 1959-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD Front Spindle Lock Washer locks your QU40004 Inner Spindle Nut in position when properly installed
QU40031 1959-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD Front Outer Spindle Nut is tightened against your QU40060 Spindle Lock Washer to keep the it in place and it acts as a jam nut effectively locking both spindle nuts and the washer together.
QK4727 1959-1975 Ford F-250 Dana 44HD Front Spindle Nut Kit includes one each of QU40004 Inner Spindle Nut, QU40060 Spindle Lock Washer, and QU40031 Outer Spindle Nut.
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Spindle Bushings
One of these Bushings are pressed into the inboard side of each spindle to support your outer axle shaft. Some Ford Dana Spicer 44 HD axles will also have a bushing pressed in the ends of the axle housing tubes to support the inner axle shaft. These are one of the most common 1961-1959 Ford Dana 44HD closed knuckle front end parts requiring replacement as both the thrust face and inside diameter of the Bushing are subject to wear. Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
QU40025 Spindle and Axle Shaft Bushing for 1961-1975 Ford Dana 44HD Closed Knuckle Axles is a genuine original equipment flanged Bronze Bushing that supports the axle shafts. Will always be one in each Spindle for the outer axle shaft, plus, some early Ford Dana 44HD axles also use one in each axle tube end to support the inner axle shaft.
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Steering Knuckles
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Steering Linkage Parts
No Steering Parts in Stock at this time Link to Our Ford Web Page Index
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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Tools
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Wheel Bearings and Seals (Individual)
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Wheel Bearing and Seal Kits
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