arb

[brokenujoint]

Looks like I need to get my arb/carrier out of my D30 to get some work done on it. I understand how to drop it out, question is, once it's time to get it back in do I need a case spreader and need to reset my backlash etc? I'm assuming the answer is yes.

[NAILER341]

You should. If the shims are loose enough to put it back without one, it is not set up correctly. Those like to be in there nice and snug.

[Taphorn]

If you can get it in and out without a spreader your preload is 99% certain not set up correctly

[vwtipeii]

you may hate me for this message... but your locker/ring and pinion are one of those areas where it doesn't hurt to ensure a professional installs them correctly...

[RAT]

Just be careful; you can spread the case too far and ruin it. No more than 50 thousandths. MAX. It shouldn't take anywhere near that to get the shims and carrier back in.

[ROBERTK]

If you have to use a case spreader on a D30 then it was likely installed with one and INCORRECTLY!

I have only needed a case spreader on a D30 one or two times in the last like 10 years! the dana 30 housing is perfectly placed to where you just use a pry bar into the carrier/locker relief holes or under a carrier/ring gear bolt on the pass side in line with the axle tube, and it should come right out. About 25% of them can be pulled out by hand, straight from Dana, especially the JK dana 30's.

As for spreading it .050" Thats WAY to far. Over 3 times to far, according to Dana.

The max you should spread a dana 30 is .015", if you must.

[curtis]

The last time I rebuilded my 30, I didn't use a spreader. I'm old school so I shimed it so I needed to persuade it in with a rubber mallet. So far it has worked better and lasted longer then when I used a spreader. (just what worked for me)

[Mike]

The last three times that I pulled my D30 carrier, I didn't use a carrier and I have had zero issues so far. That rubber or rawhide mallet sure does come in handy though.

[brokenujoint]

The last three times that I pulled my D30 carrier, I didn't use a carrier and I have had zero issues so far. That rubber or rawhide mallet sure does come in handy though.

I appreciate the advice guys. After TDS, I'll be ripping it out and selling it. On to something bigger and better.....

[brokenujoint]

Well, TDS was fun. I had ordered up the 6 replacement bolts from ARB. I paid nothing. Not even shipping. ARB customer service is great. I put in 2 of the 3 missing bolts and decided to baby the locker at TDS and if anything to not use it at all. Yeah right! When I got home Sunday afternoon I began my teardown and rip out of the 30 for my 44 replacement. 1st thing was to drain the gear oil. It was 2 days old. I pop the cover and it came out with flake and chunks of bolts.. COOL! I tore 4 bolt heads off and one walked its way out. I had 1 bolt holding the end cover on. Funny thing, the ARB worked perfectly. My gears werent messed up either. After I pulled the axles out I unbolted the carrier and the ARB just fell out of the housing so yeah I guess you can say that a bent D30 will mess up your preload.
I then had to cut off the outer C's for a core return to Currie. PITA with a York210 and a disc grinder but got it done.

Going to have a knee replacement in the next couple of wks so once I pick up the new front it it'll be sitting in the garage for a few months until I recover. Found out I have a torn ACL, a torn MCL, almost no meniscus, a torn LCL and arthritis all over the place. ACL was already replaced in 2001 so it might be a hard re-fix. Looks like a whole knee might be in order. Good times. I'll post up pix of the jeep when she's done.

[aw12345]

I hope you worked a lot of overtime between 9 and 6 months ago, so you get a decent disability check

[brokenujoint]

Actually I did but it's still gonna suck. Disability is somewhere around 60%. That's gonna be horrible. I'll cash out my vacation (7 days), my PPT (4 days) and holiday pay (10 days) then add my tax return and I MIGHT just make it. If a new knee is in order then I may be screwed. ACL, MCL, etc takes 5-8 wks to heal, a new knee takes 3-6 months. Talking to my car finance company to see if they will put a few months on deferment. I've never been a day late so they might. Also gonna try it w/a few other creditors. There goes this yrs fun ....