Dana 44 Brakes ID

[akrazgpr]

Hi. Im in the process of building a Dana 44 out of an 88 xj for my 97. The drums measure almost 3" ( braking surface)but the shoes that were on it only measure 1 3/4". I need all new hardware and shoes( and drums turned) but I'm not sure what size shoes to get. The local parts store (Advance) lists 10 x 1 3/4 and 10 x 2 1/2. I really like the idea of wider shoes but I'm not sure that they will fit.

Thanks AJ

 

[old_man]

My memory may be failing, but I thought that the D44 shoes were a larger diameter and wider. I could be wrong. They definately were wider than my D35. The brake mounting plate looks the same except the D44 version has a slightly larger center hole. It is possible to modify the D35 plate and use it on the D44.

 

[Kittrell]

It is possible to modify the D35 plate and use it on the D44.

If your talking about the backing plate. Then it would be the same as putting ZJ discs on it, except very counter-productive............. :lecture:

 

[Eagle]

10 x 2-1/2 is what's called for. It is not uncommon to find D44s with 2-1/2" drums wearing 1-3/4" shoes, because the guy at the parts counter didn't bother to ask which axle, and the guy installing them either didn't notice, or DID notice but wasn't about to lose the time going back for the correct shows.

 

[rsalemi]

The 2 1/2 shoes use a different backing plate offset. So its possible to put 1 3/4 shoes in the 2 1/2 drum setup but not possible to put the 2 1/2' on the smaller backing plate.
D35 & 44 87 - 90 XJ's brake assemblies are interchangeable and I know of at least 1 89 D35 that had the 2 1/2 wide shoes.