Would it be a good idea to replace my Dana 30 axle shafts with chromoly?

[Eddie Greenlee]

So heres what I just did. Ordered the kit of chromoly shafts from ECGS. 10 year warranty. Free shipping and no tax. Full ring snap rings for the U-Joints. Gave me a great price. So im fixed up with some new axle shafts.
Can't thank yall enough for your help and support. I will rest a little better knowing thing are a little stronger and ill have a set to take with me just in case.
my next decision will be about highline fenders , Im really excited about them. but ill make another post about that later.

 

[JeepingNet]

I just installed Yukon axles last week in my front Dana 30. I also contacted revolution beforehand and they weren’t due to get any of the overseas made axles anytime soon and the domestic set was roughly $1000 which it a lot more than I’m willing to spend. I picked up the Yukon set off amazon warehouse for $385 (normally $455 full price) which is probably the only reason I pulled the trigger rather quickly. I run 33s and do mild wheeling on rocks (on the rare occasions I go to rausch creek) so I was good going that route. It’s still an upgrade over stock axles.

I picked mine up on an Amazon warehouse deal as well. In Canada, I got them for $259US
Mine were for a Rubicon

Clearly had never been opened.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Ok got the axle shafts in and had my first experience with installing the u-joints. The snap rings are full circle too.

 

[JMT]

Ok got the axle shafts in and had my first experience with installing the u-joints. The snap rings are full circle too.

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Looks good! Too late now, but I bought Carbon Off-road 4340 chromoly shafts. Made in USA. 15 year warranty. Any tire size. You should be golden with those ECGS shafts!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Ok got the axle shafts in and had my first experience with installing the u-joints. The snap rings are full circle too.

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Nice job. What is that covering your work bench's surface? Is that fabric something extra tough that might also resist burning?

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Nice job. What is that covering your work bench's surface? Is that fabric something extra tough that might also resist burning?

actually its just the old formica counter top material. I got that cabnet from a friend of mine when we decided to remodel his kitchen. now that you mention it , it does look like a fabric.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Nice job. What is that covering your work bench's surface? Is that fabric something extra tough that might also resist burning?

Jerry when I install these axle shafts in my dana 30 , its just a carefully slide out and carefully slide in. right? I shouldnt expect anything to bind right? I do have an aussie locker in the dana 30.
Is there anything else I should look for while getting to the axle shaft?

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

IS the outter axle seal of the tj dana 30 more than adequate in keeping dirt and mud out of the axle tube without putting some kind of dust cover or other axle seal on the axle shaft???

 

[Fouledplugs]

IS the outter axle seal of the tj dana 30 more than adequate in keeping dirt and mud out of the axle tube without putting some kind of dust cover or other axle seal on the axle shaft???

Yes.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The plastic outer seal is just there to keep the rocks & pebbles out, it performs no duties as a lubricant seal.

Once you get the unit bearing hub unbolted, the shafts can be slid out, nothing holds them inside the differential.

Here's the complete removal process courtesy of Stu Olson's great Jeep how-to website. He's a great guy, I had a chance to wheel Death Valley with him years ago. https://www.stu-offroad.com//axle/Dana 30/axle-1.htm

By the way Stu supports his website with his own $$$, he cheerfully accepts donations from those who benefitted from his instructions.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

Thanks !!

 

[jazngab]

IS the outter axle seal of the tj dana 30 more than adequate in keeping dirt and mud out of the axle tube without putting some kind of dust cover or other axle seal on the axle shaft???

I pulled the plastic dust shields off the stock axles and put them in my new chromoly axles but it wasn’t a snug fit. I even tried to heat it up hoping it would shrink it down but didn’t work so great. So I ended up just slathering some bearing grease around the dust shield and axle hoping it will keep dirt and mud out that could come in driving through muddy puddles/water crossings. I just don’t like the idea of stuff getting in the axle housing and sitting in there possibly causing rust.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

I pulled the plastic dust shields off the stock axles and put them in my new chromoly axles but it wasn’t a snug fit. I even tried to heat it up hoping it would shrink it down but didn’t work so great. So I ended up just slathering some bearing grease around the dust shield and axle hoping it will keep dirt and mud out that could come in driving through muddy puddles/water crossings. I just don’t like the idea of stuff getting in the axle housing and sitting in there possibly causing rust.

Well I called Yukon and they told me that they did not recommend the dust cover. With out the dust cover the axle shaft will clean off better than if the cover was on it. So there some food for thought.

 

[jazngab]

Well I called Yukon and they told me that they did not recommend the dust cover. With out the dust cover the axle shaft will clean off better than if the cover was on it. So there some food for thought.

That’s interesting

 

[JMT]

No dust shield needed. Carbon Off-Road told me the same.

 

[SvtLdr]

I installed an after-market outer axle seal like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JDB8CKS/?tag=wranglerorg-20
They work really well at keeping mud / water out too and they are re-buildable.

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

I installed an after-market outer axle seal like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JDB8CKS/?tag=wranglerorg-20
They work really well at keeping mud / water out too and they are re-buildable.

Ya know , I saw the Ten Facory ones like that. They do look cool. So do they go inside the factory style seal ?? or do they take the place of the facory seal ?

 

[jazngab]

I installed an after-market outer axle seal like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JDB8CKS/?tag=wranglerorg-20
They work really well at keeping mud / water out too and they are re-buildable.

I’ve seen those but the downside of those seals is that you won’t know if your inner axle seals are leaking

 

[SvtLdr]

Ya know , I saw the Ten Facory ones like that. They do look cool. So do they go inside the factory style seal ?? or do they take the place of the facory seal ?

You run these in addition to the factory seal which is considered an inner seal. These extra seals are an outer seal and take the place of the factory "pebble guards."

 

[Eddie Greenlee]

I’ve seen those but the downside of those seals is that you won’t know if your inner axle seals are leaking

why is that different than the original style seal. if the regular style outter seal is good you woulldnt know the inner seal was leaking either right??