High Pinion Dana 30 Pinion Depth Question

[Bigfoot-NM]

I started the regear on a HP Dana 30. out of a 99 XJ. The pinion that was in it was marked +1 and only had the oil baffle installed behind the rear bearing race. The oil baffle measured .015" thick. The preload shims measured a total of .060" thick.

My new pinion gear is marked 2.261"

I'm trying to calculate what the approximate thickness of depth shims I would need on my new pinion. I will be using a setup bearing race, but would like to get somewhere in the ballpark on the first try.

Not knowing what the "standard depth" is on a Dana 30 HP, I cannot properly decipher the 2.261" number.

Anyone know what to do with this?

Thanks

 

[someguysjeep]

cannot give you a direct answer but maybe this will help. about 1/2 way down is some info on starting shims

http://billavista.com/tech/Articles/Gear_Setup_Bible/index.html

 

[Blackjack]

I started the regear on a HP Dana 30. out of a 99 XJ. The pinion that was in it was marked +1 and only had the oil baffle installed behind the rear bearing race. The oil baffle measured .015" thick. The preload shims measured a total of .060" thick.

My new pinion gear is marked 2.261"

I'm trying to calculate what the approximate thickness of depth shims I would need on my new pinion. I will be using a setup bearing race, but would like to get somewhere in the ballpark on the first try.

Not knowing what the "standard depth" is on a Dana 30 HP, I cannot properly decipher the 2.261" number.

Anyone know what to do with this?

Thanks

Can not remember if HP is different than LP but LP IIRC is 2.250 nominal.

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

Can not remember if HP is different than LP but LP IIRC is 2.250 nominal.

So if this is correct for a HP as well, can it be the pinion I have is .011” off from standard. Wouldn’t that make it a +11?

 

[Blackjack]

So if this is correct for a HP as well, can it be the pinion I have is .011” off from standard. Wouldn’t that make it a +11?

I believe you are on the correct track. Start with .010 thinner stack and see what it looks like.

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

I believe you are on the correct track. Start with .010 thinner stack and see what it looks like.

That’s what’s confusing me. There was no depth shims on the pinion that was installed......just the oil baffle.

 

[Lou]

A pinion being marked +1 is different that one being marked 2.261". I always just start with what was in there and adjust accordingly.

 

[smcnich]

That’s what’s confusing me. There was no depth shims on the pinion that was installed......just the oil baffle.

I have a 99 XJ high pinion 30 sitting in my garage now. It’s torn down, but I haven’t started rebuilding it yet. You’re correct that there’s no shims on the pinion behind the first bearing, just the oil slinger, but I‘m pretty sure the shims are behind the race. Have you removed the old race from the housing?

 

[hosejockey61]

I'm doing a re-gear video as we speak. Don't worry about what's on the pinion head. Start at about 70 thou and go from there.

 

[Blackjack]

That’s what’s confusing me. There was no depth shims on the pinion that was installed......just the oil baffle.

HP 30 can shim under the pinion race rather than the bearing.

 

[hosejockey61]

HP 30 can shim under the pinion race rather than the bearing.

But you need to use a setup race.

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

I have a 99 XJ high pinion 30 sitting in my garage now. It’s torn down, but I haven’t started rebuilding it yet. You’re correct that there’s no shims on the pinion behind the first bearing, just the oil slinger, but I‘m pretty sure the shims are behind the race. Have you removed the old race from the housing?

There were no shims behind the race....just the beveled oil baffle. The only shims on the pinion shaft were the preload shims.

 

[SvtLdr]

IIRC, it wasn't uncommon for the oil slinger to serve a dual purpose? My guess is they had different thickness options from the factory to locate the pinion accordingly.

I had trouble deciphering the markings on my pinion also. I'm not sure that all gear makers mark them the same way.

I'd recommend measuring your pinion checking distance (see link above for BillaVista article). This dimension takes out any depth shims that may (or may not) be present. To give you a ballpark figure, my pinion checking distance was 3.882" when I tore down my HP30. Measure you original checking distance and shoot for that as a starting point on the new pinion. Good luck, take your time and have fun.

 

[someguysjeep]

i started with an empty housing. used the # off the pinion to give me it's preferred location and used a depth gauge (on the back of my caliper) and a straight edge rested on the bearing cap flats to set it.

 

[SvtLdr]

I used the same method, except my axle still had everything inside.

 

[Bigfoot-NM]

IIRC, it wasn't uncommon for the oil slinger to serve a dual purpose? My guess is they had different thickness options from the factory to locate the pinion accordingly.

I had trouble deciphering the markings on my pinion also. I'm not sure that all gear makers mark them the same way.

We have a winner!!!!


I want to thank everyone for their responses.

Mystery solved. There were no "separate" pinion depth shims at all.

The large oil slinger that sits up against the pinion head and is held on by the rear bearing measured .055". The beveled oil baffle that sits between the rear bearing race and housing measured .015" thick.

I measured both of these items in my rebuild kit. The large oil slinger measures .030" and the beveled oil baffle measures .015".

As SvtLdr posted.......at the factory they must have different thickness oil slingers that they use to set the pinion depth.

I will be installing shims up against the bearing race between the rear bearing race and the beveled oil baffle.

 

[hosejockey61]

The large oil slinger that sits up against the pinion head and is held on by the rear bearing measured .055". The beveled oil baffle that sits between the rear bearing race and housing measured .015" thick.

Start at about 70 thou and go from there.

 

[Cedar128]

That’s what’s confusing me. There was no depth shims on the pinion that was installed......just the oil baffle.

https://www.4wdmechanix.com/How-to-Dana-30-Axle-Rebuild?r=1