Dana 44 discs to Dana 35 drum brake swap

thekidwithquestions

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I have a dana 44 im installing In my 99 TJ but I'm putting the drums from my old dana 35 on the 44 because I heard that its a direct fit, they did fit perfectly onto the axle but I can't get the 4 bolt retainer plate past the brake mechanism, I got the shaft in fine its just that the retainer won't line up right because stuff is getting in the way, can anyone give some tips to get it on
 
It sounds like you're trying to use the disk style retainer bracket with drum brakes. You need the flat style retainer bracket. Which also means you'll need to remove your axle shaft bearings and retainers to replace it. You'll need a new set of TOP10 bearings and retainers. It'd be a good time to replace the seal too while you're there.

Drum brake style...
Axle retainer bracket.jpg


Disk brake style...
Axle retainer Disk Brake.jpg
 
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It sounds like you're trying to use the disk style retainer bracket with drum brakes. You need the flat style retainer bracket. Which also means you'll need to remove your axle shaft bearings and retainers to replace it. You'll need a new set of TOP10 bearings and retainers. It'd be a good time to replace the seal too while you're there.

Drum brake style...
View attachment 234272

Disk brake style...View attachment 234273
thx so much I'll do that
 
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It sounds like you're trying to use the disk style retainer bracket with drum brakes. You need the flat style retainer bracket. Which also means you'll need to remove your axle shaft bearings and retainers to replace it. You'll need a new set of TOP10 bearings and retainers. It'd be a good time to replace the seal too while you're there.

Drum brake style...
View attachment 234272

Disk brake style...View attachment 234273
could you post a link to a good pair to get?
 
It sounds like you're trying to use the disk style retainer bracket with drum brakes. You need the flat style retainer bracket. Which also means you'll need to remove your axle shaft bearings and retainers to replace it. You'll need a new set of TOP10 bearings and retainers. It'd be a good time to replace the seal too while you're there.

Drum brake style...
View attachment 234272

Disk brake style...View attachment 234273
Jerry,
I have an 03 TJ X, that I will replace the 35/30(3.07) axles with a 44/30 (3.73). The 44 has disc but all components are rusted, and requiring replacement. I am thinking of retrofitting to drum as the 35 has relatively new brakes. I was reading this thread and it implies that I can swap replace the disc with the drum, and as you mention to replace the drum brake retainer plate and the axle bearing, seal and spacer.
Is this accurate?
 
I hate drum brakes, and dealing with all the stupid springs and adjuster wheels. Not to mention all the crap from China that doesn't match the factory specs, so you end up with adjusters that never work because the parts are different than OEM. With that said, there is zero noticeable improvement for braking performance from going to discs in the rear. Keep your drum brakes adjusted and they will be perfectly adequate, and I recommend going with Mopar adjuster hardware if you can find it. Even the used stuff seems to work better than the China crap.
 
I hate drum brakes, and dealing with all the stupid springs and adjuster wheels. Not to mention all the crap from China that doesn't match the factory specs, so you end up with adjusters that never work because the parts are different than OEM. With that said, there is zero noticeable improvement for braking performance from going to discs in the rear. Keep your drum brakes adjusted and they will be perfectly adequate, and I recommend going with Mopar adjuster hardware if you can find it. Even the used stuff seems to work better than the China crap.
Perhaps my thread is not clear? I want to change the disc to drum. I would plan to take the drum assembly off of the Dana 35 and put it on the Dana 44. In your reply you mention China manufactured parts. This would also apply to the disc assemblies that are overly expensive. I understand your point, and I think it is something we will all have to deal with until manufacturing comes back to America.
I can get the Mopar parts as you suggest, but I am trying to save some money by not having to lay out over $1000 to replace the disc brakes, as I would have to replace the backing plates also.
Also, thank you for such a speedy reply!!!
 
You could save a lot of money if you go to a pick n pull and get the disk brake backing plates , etc. off of a 2003-2007 Jeep Liberty . They are the exact same parts that came on a TJ with factory disks .
 
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You could save a lot of money if you go to a pick n pull and get the disk brake backing plates , etc. off of a 2003-2007 Jeep Liberty . They are the exact same parts that came on a TJ with factory disks .
Thanks for the information JDM. I do have a question for you if you dont mind.
I went to a Pull A Part and found an 04 Liberty, 4x4 with rear disc brakes. I think it is the same but I found a feature on this plate, which is in the picture, a dust cover(arrow pointing to it) over the axle where it comes through the backing plate. Just wondering if you would know if this is part of the backing plate? Then the 4 bolts that hold the plate to the axle housing are threaded into the backing plate, where the one I have has bolts and nuts to hold it in place. Any experience with this?

Inked20220519_102227_LI.jpg
 
I have a set of new Revolution Gear chromo axles that are setup for drum brakes if your interested as im doing the opposite, im switching from drum to disc.
 
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Thanks for the information JDM. I do have a question for you if you dont mind.
I went to a Pull A Part and found an 04 Liberty, 4x4 with rear disc brakes. I think it is the same but I found a feature on this plate, which is in the picture, a dust cover(arrow pointing to it) over the axle where it comes through the backing plate. Just wondering if you would know if this is part of the backing plate? Then the 4 bolts that hold the plate to the axle housing are threaded into the backing plate, where the one I have has bolts and nuts to hold it in place. Any experience with this?

View attachment 331754
I’m sorry but I haven’t seen that before . The plates/brackets that I pulled from a Liberty used bolts and nuts the same as my stock axle housing did . The bolts are just a little longer though
 
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I have a set of new Revolution Gear chromo axles that are setup for drum brakes if your interested as im doing the opposite, im switching from drum to disc.

I’m sorry but I haven’t seen that before . The plates/brackets that I pulled from a Liberty used bolts and nuts the same as my stock axle housing sadist . The bolts are just a little longer though
Would you happen to recall the year, if 4x4?
 
I believe it was a 2003 . It was 4x4
JDM,
So as you said, the Liberty does have the same disc brake assemblies. The tube in the picture is the end of the axle housing. I found several sets of backing plates that were is good Condition. Thanks for the information.
 
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