Dana 30 upgrades while axles are pulled?

[jazngab]

So I’ll be installing a Powertrax locker in the front Dana 30 in the next week. I pulled the axles out and upon inspection I decided that I’ll replace the U joints with the spicer 5-760x u joints. I run 31s and plan to do so in the future. 33s tops. Is replacing the u joints enough? Will the stock shafts suffice? Or should I be looking to chromoly axles since I’m at this point? I moderate wheeling. Don’t want to drop $600 on axles if not necessary.

 

[mrblaine]

So I’ll be installing a Powertrax locker in the front Dana 30 in the next week. I pulled the axles out and upon inspection I decided that I’ll replace the U joints with the spicer 5-760x u joints. I run 31s and plan to do so in the future. 33s tops. Is replacing the u joints enough? Will the stock shafts suffice? Or should I be looking to chromoly axles since I’m at this point? I moderate wheeling. Don’t want to drop $600 on axles if not necessary.

Stock shafts are fine. Depending on miles, I'd take a look at the ball joints, caliper guide sleeves, and do a full brake fluid flush. Over 100,000 maybe consider unit bearings.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Stock shafts are fine. Depending on miles, I'd take a look at the ball joints, caliper guide sleeves, and do a full brake fluid flush. Over 100,000 maybe consider unit bearings.

X2, and good decision on the 5-760x u-joints.

 

[jazngab]

Stock shafts are fine. Depending on miles, I'd take a look at the ball joints, caliper guide sleeves, and do a full brake fluid flush. Over 100,000 maybe consider unit bearings.

Thank you. Sounds like a plan. Gonna replace u joints, ball joints and hub unit assembly. Jeep has 94k miles. Close enough to 100k.

BTW I found multiple places on the internet that suggested your method for removing a stuck hub and it worked like a charm! Too easy! I used a 13mm deep socket instead of a grade 8 bolt and worked perfectly

 

[jazngab]

X2, and good decision on the 5-760x u-joints.

All parts I buy are usually the overwhelming recommendations of members of the forum

 

[Rob5589]

Inner axle seals

 

[jazngab]

Inner axle seals

Yup got those. Question for you guys @Jerry Bransford @mrblaine while here....manual recommends 80w-90 gear oil, can I use 75w-90 full synthetic? I only can find 80w-90 conventional gear oil.

 

[mrblaine]

Yup got those. Question for you guys @Jerry Bransford @mrblaine while here....manual recommends 80w-90 gear oil, can I use 75w-90 full synthetic? I only can find 80w-90 conventional gear oil.

We only run synthetic in the Rubi 44's. Conventional in the rest.

 

[Rob5589]

Yup got those. Question for you guys @Jerry Bransford @mrblaine while here....manual recommends 80w-90 gear oil, can I use 75w-90 full synthetic? I only can find 80w-90 conventional gear oil.

No issues at all

 

[jazngab]

If I borrow the ball joint tool from advance auto parts, will I need a adapter set specific for jeeps?

 

[mrblaine]

If I borrow the ball joint tool from advance auto parts, will I need a adapter set specific for jeeps?

Yes

 

[rouxbicon]

If I borrow the ball joint tool from advance auto parts, will I need a adapter set specific for jeeps?

When I did mine a year or so ago, I found that Autozone had a better selection of adaptor kits for their ball joint presses...you may find differently at your local stores, but may be worth checking out.

 

[jazngab]

When I did mine a year or so ago, I found that Autozone had a better selection of adaptor kits for their ball joint presses...you may find differently at your local stores, but may be worth checking out.

Awesome thanks! I’ll order an adapter set to have it on hand but I’ll get the autozone set and hopefully I won’t need the Jeep adapters so I can return them

 

[jjvw]

While you are pressing the joints out, give the yokes several hard taps with a mallet. This makes them slide much easier with less force.