Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Jagdpanzer · 11-24-2007

I recently picked up a Dana 44 pumpkin that I would like to have rebuilt with 4.10 ratio gears. Normally I would tackle this job myself but a lot of special tools are needed to do it right. I don't want to put up with whiny rear end. Anybody know of a good shop in the Northern Virginia or Maryland area that does quality Dana 44 rear end work?

HIZNHRZ · 11-25-2007

I wish you luck. I tried all of the better known local shops with no luck. I'm sure there is someone out there but darn if I could find them. I ended up taking mine up to Marc Haibeck in Chicago. I wanted mine done by someone who had done it before. It's not rocket science but there is nothing like experience. The trial and error approach was potentially a bit too expensive for me.

blackjack · 11-25-2007

any reputable hi-perf shop should be able to handle the job,as the dana is not exactly a rare bird.i had mine done by a guy who builds muscle cars and dragsters,and its been running fine since...
bj

FU · 11-25-2007

http://www.tonyscorvetteshop.com/Dyno/Overview.aspx

ZZZZZR1 · 11-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

I recently picked up a Dana 44 pumpkin that I would like to have rebuilt with 4.10 ratio gears. Normally I would tackle this job myself but a lot of special tools are needed to do it right. I don't want to put up with whiny rear end. Anybody know of a good shop in the Northern Virginia or Maryland area that does quality Dana 44 rear end work?

Hate to say it, but I would go to Koons Chevy in Tysons.... I can't remember the mechanic's name, but he specializes in ZR1's and you can trust him 100%. Ron K knows him and recomended him to me years ago.

1 place to avoid like the plaque is "Corvette Specialists". PM me if you want details, but it's ugly and every person (YES EVERY) that I know that has gone there has horror storries.

Aurora40 · 11-30-2007

I don't think Corvette dealerships probably do a lot of diff rebuilds. I would bet it's probably a unit replacement for them. I believe the tech you are thinking of is Joe Malo, though. I've never been there but have heard numerous people recommend him.

Jagdpanzer · 11-30-2007

I may have found the shop I've been looking for, Rogers Automotive in Chantilly, which is only a few miles from me. They wrench on a lot of hot rods and say they do this kind of job all the time. I will check them out and keep the forum posted.
Thanks to all who responded.

11-24-2007	#1
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,646	Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD I recently picked up a Dana 44 pumpkin that I would like to have rebuilt with 4.10 ratio gears. Normally I would tackle this job myself but a lot of special tools are needed to do it right. I don't want to put up with whiny rear end. Anybody know of a good shop in the Northern Virginia or Maryland area that does quality Dana 44 rear end work?

11-25-2007	#2
HIZNHRZ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 732	Re: Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD I wish you luck. I tried all of the better known local shops with no luck. I'm sure there is someone out there but darn if I could find them. I ended up taking mine up to Marc Haibeck in Chicago. I wanted mine done by someone who had done it before. It's not rocket science but there is nothing like experience. The trial and error approach was potentially a bit too expensive for me.

11-25-2007	#3
blackjack Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: north of montreal Posts: 510	Re: Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD any reputable hi-perf shop should be able to handle the job,as the dana is not exactly a rare bird.i had mine done by a guy who builds muscle cars and dragsters,and its been running fine since... bj

11-25-2007	#4
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,327	Re: Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD http://www.tonyscorvetteshop.com/Dyno/Overview.aspx

11-30-2007	#6
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,704	Re: Looking for a Good Dana 44 Gear Shop in NoVA, MD I don't think Corvette dealerships probably do a lot of diff rebuilds. I would bet it's probably a unit replacement for them. I believe the tech you are thinking of is Joe Malo, though. I've never been there but have heard numerous people recommend him.