Its a posi Dana 44 ...the same as the ones they put in '92 Firehawks.

After much delay its finally 99% installed now I noticed something really disturbing. When you spin the driver's side wheel the other wheel will spin in the opposite direction as if it doesn't have a posi. If you spin the passenger side it is much harder to turn and the other wheel will not spin. Also if you put the car in PARK you can still spin the wheels although it makes a clunky noise.

Before it was in the car the wheels both spun in the same direction but I did notice there was a bit of "play." If you were to hold the other axle and turn the opposite one it would spin with just a tad bit more resistence.

What is wrong with this rear? I removed the axles to swap backing plates but I took EXTRA care while doing it. I did them out one at a time and did not turn the other axle while one was out. I marked them and put them back in exactly as they came out. They went right in with ease.

The rear has no gear oil in it at the moment (no I didnt drive it around with no oil ...Its still on jackstands). Could this be why its doing this? I really don't have much, if any, experience with differentials so thats the ONLY thing I could think of.....

thanks,
chris

 

When you had the rearend out, there was no resistance on the pinion. That allowed the pinion to turn, and both rear wheels to turn in the same direction, as it should for a posi.

However, now that its installed, the tranny being in PARK keeps the pinion locked, thus forcing the wheels to turn in opposite directions, as it should, for any STREETABLE rearend. The reason you feel resistance is the force required to overcome the clutches/cones (I don't know what Dana used) being applied by pre-load springs, to allow it to turn in opposite directions. If you put the tranny in Nuetral, they should spin is the same direction again.

Sounds like there is no problem.

 

Forgot to mention if you turn the driveshaft they spin in the opposite direction.

Any idea? This is REALLY getting me scared.....

 

Could it be because this rear is fresh? I believe its been rebuilt, or atleast new gears have been installed in it without any miles on it. Does it possibly just need to be worn in?

Someone told me to put it all together and then drive the car around in circles to get the oil/posi additive to the clutches then it'll work? I don't know.....

 

TTT

 

It's not a torsen (gear type) differential in there, is it?