Please bare with me and correct me as needed. After a hit and run accident with a really nice stolen Beamer, and I mean run literally, that car wasn't going anywhere, they bailed out and ran. Of one of many things to repair, the driver side axle seal started leaking. If I am correct I have the Dana 44, 8 1/4". I'm thinking the Dodge service manual lists the 248FBI as the only front and rear differentials that match. So I have already learned the differential gears need to be removed to access the driver side seal.( MoparFanatic), And to remove the diff gears the passenger side axle shaft as well as the intermediate shaft have to be removed, along with the shifting fork housing and all that crap. So basically I'm asking, do I have the correct identification right and since I have to remove everything should I do all seals, intermediate bushing or bearing, I've seen it mentioned as both. And carrier bearings and even the outer axle bearings? My insurance company screwed up and gave me more bucks to total it than it was worth to fix!! Thanks again in advance for all suggestion and advice.

 

Yep, Dana 44. Since you ARE dismembering the whole friggin' thing, wouldn't hurt to replace the rest of the seals. (though, technically, you don't have to remove the pinion gear.....) I would take a look at the bearings, and go from there, before replacing them out of hand. Why spend the money if you don't need to?

 

I would replace everything in the tubes (seals, bearings, and the bushing on the intermediate shaft). As HeyYou said look at the carrier bearings and go from there. If you have the cash I would buy the EMS Off-road one piece passenger side axle and get rid of the cad.

 

Chrysler actually calls these front axles 216FBI. 248FBI/RBI are the Dana 60s you'd find in a V8 2500.

 

Thanks guys. I do plan to replace everything in the tubes because this may be the last time I can physically do the job. That being all the seals and possibly the carrier bearings. I do not plan on messing with the pinion at this time unless inspection of the pinion gear surfaces warrants it. So EMS one piece axle? I'll have to research this . So this axle will extend all the way to the carrier assembly? same seal and bearing where the intermediate shaft goes? I like the sound of this. And 10-4 on the 216 BFI. Thanks again

 

Actually it puts the seal out on the end of the tune so easier to replace in the future. And yes it will get rid of the 2 piece shaft

 

So you do away with the cad? I haven't found any info on this yet.

 

Yes. My 01 and 02 don't have one. The one I used a posi-lok (no cable) and don't like it. I'm doing the axle shaft you can read about it here.
​​​​​

 

Going with the one-piece axle is the best design, but, it is also the most expensive.

 

That is the truth