Front locker question

[Morks]

In the process of swapping my open dana 30 carrier to a locker. After a regear how much should the backlash open up if any at all, I am measuring around 14.5-15 thousandths which seems like a lot. It has run flawlessly for the last 20k km. Thinking I should slap it back together, and go no front locker or just get a lunch box if that spec seems way off. Don't want to open up a new can of worms after just doing the regear a yr from next month haha. No shavings in the gear lube and no obvious wear. @hosejockey61 @Blackjack any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Blackjack]

For that amount of mileage that is an ok backlash. You will want to try and keep it close to the same with the new carrier and you will be just fine.

 

[Morks]

For that amount of mileage that is an ok backlash. You will want to try and keep it close to the same with the new carrier and you will be just fine.

Is it worth it to tighten it up? As in ike 13-14 if I can? Say I bang it right on 14.5 is it possible that it will open up more? Luckily I can always slap my open carrier in so I can take my time getting it perfect... But I have today and the weekend where the jeep does not have to be rolling.

 

[Blackjack]

The gears are broken in now so it will be a long time before it opens up much more. I try to put things back like I find them so there is little chance of creating noise in the gears. Since it is a front you could tighten it a touch and will probably not hurt a thing.

 

[Morks]

Had to do some errands, was able to get it bang on 14.5. Now, are the ears able to touch the bearing caps? The bearing caps have no issue being torqued down and seated correctly. One tab was slightly bent upon arrival (so I bent it back).

 

[Blackjack]

Dana 30 IIRC catches on the diff housing and not the caps. Be sure to watch orientation and there should be a small amount of play when done.

 

[Morks]

I will give eaton a call, I can bend the ears back a bit further, but they are loose enough for me to move them by hand (they just catch a bit but will look a bit harder tomorrow).

 

[Blackjack]

I will give eaton a call, I can bend the ears back a bit further, but they are loose enough for me to move them by hand (they just catch a bit but will look a bit harder tomorrow).

Be very careful. I have a Dana 44 magnet that the tabs are broken off of because someone got a bit western with it,

 

[Morks]

Be very careful. I have a Dana 44 magnet that the tabs are broken off of because someone got a bit western with it,

I noticed very quickly when I went to bend the ear for the first time that they can come off real quick... Do the tabs take any load? If not I will be less concerned. I made a little tube to get in between the carrier and tab so most of the pressure is just on the part I am bending.

 

[Blackjack]

I noticed very quickly when I went to bend the ear for the first time that they can come off real quick... Do the tabs take any load? If not I will be less concerned. I made a little tube to get in between the carrier and tab so most of the pressure is just on the part I am bending.

Only the strength of the magnet when energized really.

 

[Morks]

Doing the rear now, going smooth till this point. was putting the ring gear bolts in and I have one that wont seat unless I crank on it, which I haven't tried. Have tried multiple bolts, new and used. Pretty sure the threads may be bad in that one. It has a couple tight spots when putting the bolt in, not sure how or why. Not sure what to do with it... Came out smoothly and cleaned the threads with a brass brush. @Blackjack

 

[Blackjack]

That is never fun. I keep one of these around to help https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BH8QSHTF/?tag=wranglerorg-20 but since you do not have one try a different bolt after cleaning everything well.

 

[Morks]

Yup I have tried many bolts, I have a bunch of brand new ones. None worked. Going to ask around for a chaser, if not many have to get one...

 

[Blackjack]

Yup I have tried many bolts, I have a bunch of brand new ones. None worked. Going to ask around for a chaser, if not many have to get one...

If you have a fastener supplier close by a bottoming tap will get the job done too.

 

[Morks]

Yup just got back from the store, they had my size and were on clearance. Just tapped the threads should be all set. Appreciate it!

 

[Morks]

Could be carrier related, I marked the hole on the ring gear and put it in a new spot on the locker. The hole that lines up with the one when I had issues is giving me the same result. RGA says 55 ft lbs so I tried torquing an old bolt and it torqued without much of a bind, if any at all (threads from that bolt are all okay)... May take the dremel and just barely touch the locker. I will make an edit to this post once I am finished just in case someone else runs across this issue.

Edit: so I took a dremel to it for a couple seconds and the bolt when in smoothly. So I put loctite on all my real bolts and went to put them in with and once again it didn't sit great being hand tight. Torqued them down to spec without issue. I'll see how it goes from here... I will update if anything new.