V-8 rear ends were the (Dana)44 
Studebaker also made No. 23, 27 and 45 axles (smaller diameter axles and
"U"bolt's).

The Stude 44 axles have a 2 1/2" diameter axle housing.
They are hypoid, semi-floating axles (by Spicer/Dana) in the Avanti and RQA
models of Avanti II.

If you find a tag on the cover plate with 45B, this will tell you it is a
limited slip (Twin Traction) rear end (not a 45 axle).
Early Twin Traction Axles used a axle cover tag with a large T on them (they
had a 30 degree ramp angle). 

A 45 "C" is a Dana 44 with the Limited Slip. A Limited Slip differential is 
denoted as a "45" and the "C" is the type of Limited Slip" clutch assembly.  
If you look in your Studebaker shop manual it shows the different clutch 
packs and their letter designation.  
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Tags also were on the axle cover plate, with the rear end ratio listed. 

Axle model #'s are cast on the housing, just around the corner from the
filler plug.  
Spray some engine gunk on the axle and take it to a self service pressure
car wash to clean it up. 

It's easy to pull the cover off and replace the cover gasket and fluid.
Chances are the fluid has only been topped off for years and dirty fluid
beyond the plug could use a drain & fill. If the rear cover is caked with
grease, there has been leaking and can easily be fixed with a $5 gasket.
Be sure when you take off the cover bolts to return the spacer under the
bolt that holds the brake line on the upper right corner and only add fluid
until even with plug hole.


There are 2 halves for TT axles.   They both slide together from both 
sides. When together from both sides they would look like a miniature 
axle with wheels on a model) With both sides out, you could see all 
the way through the axle to the other side (if both thrust block's 
fell out).
For TT rear axle it's part #1544810 (2)
For non tt axle it's part #530706 (1)

Twin Traction Axle Pin's:
It is possible to pull the axle without the pins dropping out. The pin is in
the very center as you look down the tube. You may notice it as a small flat
circle, but if it is out you will be able to probably see a hole a little
smaller than the size of brake tubing and see all the way through the other
side if both halves fell out. If both halves of the pin (1 slides into the
other from both sides looking like a miniature axle with wheels on a model)
are in your OK. If it fell out you will need to fish it out of the axle tube
and make a tool to replace it/them.

1. Take a wire such as a coat hanger and slide it through 1/2 axle lenght of
straight brake tubing so it sticks out several inches on each side.

2. This will work like a dip stick placing the one end through the tube and
then the pins small center hole (you may have to file the wire to fit snug
or go through the pin and put a slight bend to hold it until it's in the hole).

3. When you have fished out the pin and have it on the wire sticking out of
the tube, you can carefully place it back into it's center location. Placing
some grease on the pin will help hold it in place.

4. While pressing the tubing against the pin (once in place), you can pull
the wire out(like pulling the dip stick while holding the tube) and then the
tube can be removed without the pin pulling out.

Putting some grease on the pin helps create a suction to hold it in. I also
recommend replacing one axle when it's pin is in before doing the other
side, so it doesn't push out the opposite side pin while replacing the axle.
You should do the left (drivers) side 1st.

Your other problem may be shims. They should be located only on the right
(passenger) side. With the proper amount of play and the tire on, you should
be able to grab the tire sides and give the tire a push and a quick pull to
hear a slight deep clunk without feeling any noticable play. By removing any
of the current shims, you will be tightening the axle play.

Another problem may be some tightness with the repacked bearings (it's best to
test before taking apart or with dry bearings first). The backing plates
also need to be tightened all the way to push the bearing race into the
axle. Be sure this area is clean and the race goes all the way in. If it was
fine before removal, you shouldn't need to add shims. Usually there is too
much play after many miles. 
Studebaker recomended Avanti axle bearing's be repacked every 25,000 miles. 
Many Avanti have NEVER been repacked! 
When was the last time your Avanti axle bearing's been repacked?
Make shure you check everything out if it does not seem right.

Twin Traction is a great option, I but know a few people who didn't use gear
oil designed for posi type axles and making turns became real problem. Check
the gear oil for use in Posi Traction, Twin Traction, type use. There is
also a additive for other gear oil when used in Twin Traction. You can find
the proper gear oil, seals and cover gasket at most any auto parts
store.

(James  & Stephanie Bell - studenut@az.com)  08 Dec 98

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The Dana 45 is a standard Dana 44 with a Twin Traction unit.  The '45' refers 
to the angle of the locking crosspins in the differential.
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