Dana 30 Differential Carrier dis/re-assembly questions

The Situation: The axle oil seals needed replacing and I had to take the Dana 30 ring gear carrier out. There were six thin shims on the driver's side next to the air lockers to position the carrier. There are no problems with ring gear or pinion operation, and the bearings are fine.

The questions:

1) Can I use axle bearing grease to hold the shims in place while re-installing the carrier?

2) If I get the caps, bolts, shims, etc back in place, will the ring gear / pinion set-up still be OK?

3) What should the torque for the bearing cap blocks be for this diff with ARB Air Lockers?

4) While it was apart I counted the teeth: 10 on pinion; 41 on ring gear. I think this makes the ratio 4.10. is this stock? factory option? custom change when the air lockers were installed??

I was surprised that no seal is used at the wheel ends of the axles where they leave the diff housing. This lets mud inside the housing around the axle -- this is what lead to the seal failure. Any way to seal the area? Any way to clean it without disassembling the whole thing? This promises to be a continuing problem.....

Thanks for your words of wisdom! ~steve snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net

---------------------------------------------- Red 1978 CJ-7, 304V8, headers, T-18 w/Granny Dana 20, Dana 30/AMC20 4.10 ARB air lockers Mosler axle, 6in suspension lift, 35in tires

8000lb Ramsey wench, and more stuff
Reply to
Steve Jeep
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Reply to
L.W.(ßill)

A little oil should hold them. Those shims are supplied by ARB and are installed outside of the bearings (between the o-ring/seal housing and spacer washer) as per manufacturer instructions:

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It will be the same as it was. That might be OK or it might not. Wouldn't hurt to check the backlash, preloads, pinion depth (contact pattern) to see if its all within spec.

35-50 Lbs-ft. Incidentally your diff cover bolts should be 28-33 Lbs-ft.

Yes, its 4.10. Likely installed with the locker. Look for a factory gear ratio tag bolted on the cover.

Steve

Reply to
Steve

Reply to
Will Honea

Reply to
L.W.(ßill)

Yep, its an ok trick when you don't have a spare set of carrier bearings honed out so you can press/pull 'em by hand. Interesting to hear (anecdotally at least) that they can be run that way without any apparent ill effect.

In this case however, the outboard shims are not the result of an installation trick. The poster mentions an ARB locker. The ARB design has shims outboard of the bearing cup on the air hose side between the seal housing and a special spacer washer:

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Steve

Will H> I don't know what the specs are but moving the shims outboard behind

Reply to
Steve

Thanks to all for the replies... and the links to pics and directions etc

any tips on getting the inner axle oil seals out? kast thing before re-assembly begins....

~steve

Reply to
Steve Jeep

I recently rebuilt a Dana 44 front axle from a Scout II, in preparation for installation in my '62 Willys pickup. The differential and ring & pinion were in excellent condition, so I rebuilt/replaced everything else - bearings, seals, balljoints, tie rod ends, brakes, etc.... I used a "case spreader" on the differential housing. The spreader stretches the housing slightly so the differential can be pulled out easily. Once the differential was out, I replaced the innner axles seals, cleaned everything up and put it all back together. To clean the axle tubes I used a rag stapled onto a wooden disc affixed onto a long wooden rod. The rag was soaked in mineral spirits and rubbed back and forth inside the axle tubes. Then I flushed out the tubes with a spray of mineral spirits. If you're going to drive a Jeep with an open-knuckle front axle through deep mud holes, expect to clean the axle tubes as required.

Best regards, Dave Rose Cactus Cowboy Big Wonderful Wyoming '49 Willys Pickup (parts truck) '62 Willys Pickup 4WD 226 '98 XJ Sport O|||||||O

Reply to
cactuscowboy

You'll need the proper tools to do this. Long threaded steel rods, nuts, washers and thick metal discs of the proper diameter to drive out and replace the seals. I work at a dealership, so it was easy for me to borrow this equipment and do the work at home. It may be easier for you to find a mechanic with proper tools to do the job. Service manuals will illustrate the use of such tools for seal replacement. Here's a website that may be helpful:

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Best regards, Dave Rose Cactus Cowboy Big Wonderful Wyoming '49 Willys Pickup (parts truck) '62 Willys Pickup 4WD 226 '98 XJ Sport O|||||||O

Reply to
cactuscowboy

Reply to
L.W.(ßill)

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