Topic: Replacing Dana 30 Axle U Joints

[SamsonJR]

Hey guys, ok so the dial indicator, I was told is used to monitor how much you spread the pumpkin. My dad told me if you spread it to much you will mess up the shape of the pumpkin. As for replacing the hubs, using what I have now should work, I don't think there is anything wrong with mine as they are, I was just wondering if i should replace them wile I had everything apart, and when I do build up the 95 axle, just use them over. I don't want to go crazy repairing the 91 axle, b/c ultimately I will be replacing it. I just want it to be the best it can be for what it is using minimal parts for now. I was hoping I could get away with leaving in the seals, I just wanted to double check if that's a good idea or not. I don't want to replace the shafts and put it back together to find it leaks. Sharpmen, I have the intermediate shaft and the collar out of the 95 axle. I pulled the diff cover and attempted to remove the carrier, I did NOT remove the drivers side yet. I guess thats why the carrier would not budge... makes sense.. I did not force anything out, I just removed the bearing retainers and attempted to wiggle the carrier out. The 91 axle, the one in my jeep right now, I have not removed anything from. I plan to replace the joints in the axles I will be installing and have everything ready to go in before taking it apart. Now can I use the intermediate shaft in the 91 axle with the outer shaft from the 95? or do I have to remove it and use the 95's?  Oh, one last thing, My plan was to get drivetrain components and replace one at a time. I want to put in a 8.8 to replace the D35, I want to replace the ax5 with an Ax15. I will do those swaps before I put in the 95 D30 in the front. It just so happens that my U joints went in my front axle, so I needed to fix that before anything else. Building up the D30 was last on my list. lol

[SamsonJR]

update, I removed the other hub and axle, and the carrier came out with very little effort. going to bring the axles to my driveshaft guy tomorrow and see what I can do about rebuilding them.

[Jeffy]

you use a dial indicator to monitor how much you spread the pumpkin, although you could just spread slowly until you can pull the carrier.

I don't think I've even seen anyone damage their housing with one.  In most cases if you own one you know how to use it since it's a specialized tool.  You only need to do it enough to get the carrier in and out.  Otherwise, you do without and try to wedge it back in.

[sharpxmen]

you use it to set the preload on the carrier bearings, idea is to spread just enough to add the thicker shims so you don't deform it and lose the preload, you don't really need one to take it out, prying works if it doesn't come out by hand. It's the service manual procedure so the new mechanics don't screw up the preload, once you get a few setup the dial indicator is probably unnecessary.

[Jeffy]

you use it to set the preload on the carrier bearings, idea is to spread just enough to add the thicker shims so you don't deform it and lose the preload, you don't really need one to take it out, prying works if it doesn't come out by hand. It's the service manual procedure so the new mechanics don't screw up the preload, once you get a few setup the dial indicator is probably unnecessary.

I know that part but I mean using it to get the carrier out.

[sharpxmen]

I know that part but I mean using it to get the carrier out.

yeah, you don't need it (at least for D30, dunno on bigger axles).

[SamsonJR]

hey guys, just got back my axles from my driveshaft guy, 45 each for the parts and installation on each shaft. he put in Spicer 760's. I cleaned up the hubs I have off the 95 axle and cleaned up the shafts, I'm going to be swapping them out tomorrow. I'm going to pick up some anti-seize for the hubs and knuckles, and some axle grease. I just grease where the seals sit on the axles and the splines right?

[sharpxmen]

nothing on the splines going into the diff, you can put some oil on them just to slide thru the seal more easily, either a film of oil or grease where the seal runs so it won't spin dry but that's about it. On the hub side i never put grease on the splines but I don't know what others do or recommend.

[SamsonJR]

Ok, axles are in! I didn't replace the seals, and so far no leaks. 4wd works fine, everything seems to be in place. Thank you everyone who helped. on to the next repair/ upgrade

[sharpxmen]

glad you got it done.