Removing carrier from Dana 30

[SoCalTJ]

How hard should it be to get the carrier out? I have the diff open, caps removed, axles out and the thing will not budge. Tried pry bar, wrapping a tie down strap around it and pulling...doesnt move. What else should I try? Does the front driveshaft need to be disconnected? I dont think I have the space to use a case spreader...but seems like most people dont have this much trouble getting it out.

 

[Lou]

Put the closed end of a combination wrench on one of the ring gear bolts, turn the pinion so the wrench will push on the top of the differential sealing surface. Be ready to hold it because it will pop right out.

 

[tworley]

X2. That is the method I use. It will walk the entire carrier out with ease.

 

[SoCalTJ]

Put the closed end of a combination wrench on one of the ring gear bolts, turn the pinion so the wrench will push on the top of the differential sealing surface. Be ready to hold it because it will pop right out.

Thanks, I'll give this a shot tonight when I get home.

 

[HYRYSC]

X3. Have done this a few times.

 

[Darkwing327]

Another tried and true method is to use an old towel or big shop rag. Stuff it in the pinion and rotate the driveshaft with a breaker bar. As it sucks the towel into the gears it pushes the carrier out. I like doing it this way when working by myself as the the towel cushions the carrier as it pops out. Not such a big deal on a dana 30 as they are light(er), but handy on big stuff if you don't have a helper.

 

[HYRYSC]

Sooo, for the most important question!

WHY are you doing it? Quit holding out on us!

 

[SoCalTJ]

Sooo, for the most important question!

WHY are you doing it? Quit holding out on us!

Locker!

 

[SoCalTJ]

Well boys, tried all of the above and the little b still won’t come out. Any other ideas???

 

[mrblaine]

Well boys, tried all of the above and the little b still won’t come out. Any other ideas???

If you used the wrench on the ring gear bolt and that didn't move the carrier out, you are doing something wrong because that works 100% of the time.

 

[Darkwing327]

Dumb question, but you have the transmission in neutral when trying to turn the driveshaft?

Edit: Sorry that really was a dumb question as it is the front LOL...I meant the transmission/transfer case

 

[Gunnersmate]

if its really that stuck you need one of these
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P6UNMY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[gasiorv]

Assuming there is no wear or galling between the carrier races and the housing, the wrench against the housing should pop it right out as stated above I usually put the box side of the wrench on an upper ring bolt and then use a pry bar on the ring gear to spin the ring gear to it hits the housing and then pry the ring gear out with the pry bar. you can also use a pipe wrench to spin the pinion by the driveshaft or the yoke.

I have had carriers stuck due to damage to the housing at the faying surface of the carrier bearing race due to broken axles and they were a real bear to get out. One time I was able to pop it out using a crow bar with a 90 deg bend, I pried on a ring gear bolt from the side, so the 90 deg bend was against the housing and the prying end was pushing on the ring bolt. It was a pretty long crow bar. Another time, we used a slide hammer and it worked pretty quickly, I can't remember if we rigged a strap around the carrier and then hooked the slide hammer to the strap or if we grabbed the carrier with the puller arms and then used the slide hammer. Whichever way, it worked pretty quickly with just a few hammers.

 

[SoCalTJ]

I finally got it out...I got a better pry bar that didn’t flex. It still took quite a bit of force to come out. All the bearings and races look to be in good shape. I installed the locker and got the carrier almost all the way in. Need to borrow or find my dead blow hammer. Should be a quick finish tomorrow hopefully.

 

[Lou]

Me thinks you didnt use the wrench correctly.

 

[SoCalTJ]

Me thinks you didnt use the wrench correctly.

I wish that were the case. It would make the whole process laughable instead of frustrating. Lol

 

[Lou]

Ive had many carriers i couldnt get out with a 4 foot pry bar but the wrench trick took it right out.

 

[mrblaine]

Ive had many carriers i couldnt get out with a 4 foot pry bar but the wrench trick took it right out.

Yep, because the pinion makes the lever 3-4 times longer.

 

[SoCalTJ]

Locker is in and everything is working great. I kind of dig the sound the lockers make. Almost sounds like an old ww2 tank...hahaha. Its not quite that loud but you get the idea.

Also, someone mentioned lube lockers in another thread...1 word AWESOME. I've never had issues with just using RTV. But damn that was so nice and easy using the lube locker. And bonus if I do a re gear later, in theory I can reuse the lube locker. We'll see.

 

[mrblaine]

Locker is in and everything is working great. I kind of dig the sound the lockers make. Almost sounds like an old ww2 tank...hahaha. Its not quite that loud but you get the idea.

Also, someone mentioned lube lockers in another thread...1 word AWESOME. I've never had issues with just using RTV. But damn that was so nice and easy using the lube locker. And bonus if I do a re gear later, in theory I can reuse the lube locker. We'll see.

You know who runs Lube Locker gaskets successfully? Folks that don't play in the rocks, that's who.