Dana 30 Stub Shaft U-Joint replacement - Fluid drain necessary?

[Stinkbug]

I recently changed the fluid in my Dana 30. Unfortunately, I now need to change the stub shaft u-joint on the passenger side.

Quick question to those that might know... If the differential is filled to the proper level, is it below the bottom of the axle shaft thus allowing me to pull the shaft without having to drain the differential? If not, is it close enough that I can just jack the axle high enough on the passenger side to slosh the fluid to the drivers side and pull it or am I asking for a stinky mess?

 

[never monday]

Jack up the right side and do your thing, no worry

 

[lBasket]

When I did my axle U-joints I thought you had to drain the fluid. Then a few weeks later doing a wheel bearing up front, I accidentally pulled the shaft out... no leaks. That was a nice surprise. This was with one tire on the ground, one jacked up.

So unless I had really low fluid, looks like that works fine if you do them one at a time.

 

[Breto31]

Jack up the right side and do your thing, no worry

X2.... I just replaced my driver side axle shaft u-joint and didn’t drain the diff. No leaks at all.