Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Dana 44 Diff Cover Fill Holes

mjonesjr84

mjonesjr84

WTF was that?
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My new ECGS axles came with this Dana Spicer cover. I used the upper fill hole on both the front and rear axles. The rear has been fine but the front will puke gear oil out the vent tube if I drive on the highway any distance.

Before I call ECGS tomorrow, thought you all would know if I used the wrong fill hole on the front? Both front and rear top just shy of 2 quarts of oil.

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mjonesjr84 said:
My new ECGS axles came with this Dana Spicer cover. I used the upper fill hole on both the front and rear axles. The rear has been fine but the front will puke gear oil out the vent tube if I drive on the highway any distance.

Before I call ECGS tomorrow, thought you all would know if I used the wrong fill hole on the front? Both front and rear top just shy of 2 quarts of oil.

View attachment 568466
Click to expand...

Do not use the top hole to fill the front. The front only takes 1.375 qts of oil because the oil does not go into the axle tubes. The front wheel bearings are sealed and not lubricated by gear oil.
 
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Rubiconned said:
Do not use the top hole to fill the front. The front only takes 1.375 qts of oil because the oil does not go into the axle tubes. The front wheel bearings are sealed and not lubricated by gear oil.
Click to expand...
Explains why it was puking oil. I figured it was over filled but wanted to make sure. Good thing I'm doing the 500 mile break-in gear oil change tomorrow.
 
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mjonesjr84 said:
Explains why it was puking oil. I figured it was over filled but wanted to make sure. Good thing I'm doing the 500 mile break-in gear oil change tomorrow.
Click to expand...

The stock front Dana 44 fill plug is below the level of the axle tube.

Is your ecgs axle hi pinion? Does it have the larger jk gear sets? That might affect where you want the fill level
 
Rickyd said:
The stock front Dana 44 fill plug is below the level of the axle tube.

Is your ecgs axle hi pinion? Does it have the larger jk gear sets? That might affect where you want the fill level
Click to expand...
Yea the front is high pinion and has JK gears.
 
mjonesjr84 said:
My new ECGS axles came with this Dana Spicer cover. I used the upper fill hole on both the front and rear axles. The rear has been fine but the front will puke gear oil out the vent tube if I drive on the highway any distance.

Before I call ECGS tomorrow, thought you all would know if I used the wrong fill hole on the front? Both front and rear top just shy of 2 quarts of oil.

View attachment 568466
Click to expand...

Never assume the fill plugs are at the correct level for your axle.
They have no idea what angle your pinion's at.
 
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Lower fill plug allowed for just a bit over 1 quart today. I opened the upper and pumped in a bit more. So far no issues with the fluid exiting the diff breather. That put the fluid about 1/4 of the way to the center of the axle tubes.
 
mjonesjr84 said:
Lower fill plug allowed for just a bit over 1 quart today. I opened the upper and pumped in a bit more. So far no issues with the fluid exiting the diff breather. That put the fluid about 1/4 of the way to the center of the axle tubes.
Click to expand...

What does ecgs say for fill amount? I'd be nervous winging it on the hi pinion jk center section. They can smoke the pinion bearings and seized up
 
Rickyd said:
What does ecgs say for fill amount? I'd be nervous winging it on the hi pinion jk center section. They can smoke the pinion bearings and seized up
Click to expand...

If he over fills and excess flows out vent tube it can still damage stuff? Thats what I thought it was for? Read something on here the other day about once we start swapping covers, gears, ect... it changes capacity?
 
inkedrose said:
If he over fills and excess flows out vent tube it can still damage stuff? Thats what I thought it was for? Read something on here the other day about once we start swapping covers, gears, ect... it changes capacity?
Click to expand...

I'm more concerned with a low fill.

The vent tube isn't really for ejecting excess oil so much as for expansion and contraction not ruining seals
 
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Rickyd said:
What does ecgs say for fill amount? I'd be nervous winging it on the hi pinion jk center section. They can smoke the pinion bearings and seized up
Click to expand...
They said to fill to where it was just above the axle tubes so it would flow into the tubes.
 
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LONGJP2 said:
As mentioned above, the vent's purpose is not to regulate the amount of oil.
I use a dipstick to determine when it's at the bottom of the axle tubes.
Click to expand...
It isn't over filled, I don't expect it to push it out the vent tube. Mine is not too much higher than the axle tubes.
 
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