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Dana 25/27 Weak Points?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by dilly, Mar 4, 2018.

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  1. Mar 5, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    There was a link to an ebay sale for NOS dana 27 powerlocks not too long ago around here.
    I couldnt find it, but it was like 200 bucks. That would be my vote
     
  2. Mar 5, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    I have a 27, with a powerlock diff and manual steering (Saginaw) It is significantly more difficult to steer with the hubs locked in.
     
  3. Mar 5, 2018
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    I have a dana 30 in mine, it is not a bolt in but heres the things needed to be addressed. Spring plates, U-bolts, front driveshaft length and universal joints depending on what one is in there, steering and brakes depending on the brakes on the donor axle. Gearing of the donor axle which in most cases will not match a factory 25 or 27. The donor axle needs to be complete including hubs and all brake components. I don't myself like to keep the factory 25/27 spring plates, they are to thin for my liking in the outer webbing once there drilled out, I made my own.
     
  4. Mar 6, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    I’m thinking I’ll just run the 25 for now and when I come across a good deal on a 30 I’ll pick it up and plan to swap it in. I think for the majority of what I’ll be doing in the 25 will be fine.
     
  5. Mar 6, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    As Tim says pull the cover & figure out what you need.
    If just the spiders they're cheap & easy to do, no messing around with setup is required.
    If it's the ring or pinion then you're in for a learning experience but the good news is on the front axle you can get away with a lot more slop in the settings than you can with the rear axle- it's not used nearly as much & isn't subject to the same amount of stress.

    You may luck out & just have a busted axle shaft.

    Whatever you need post a want ad here in the classifieds- chances are someone has it kicking around.

    Good luck :)
     
  6. Mar 7, 2018
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    With a 225 in there, my money is on the spider and axle gears... did that more than a few times. You can sometimes tell by running your hand on the bulge on the cover - feel bumps like teeth marks - its the spider and axle gears :)
     
  7. Mar 7, 2018
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sort of a crap shoot. I blew the spiders out of the D27 in my CJ 5 (225) just backing it up to turn around. The D25 in my 3B lasted 3 decades behind 3 different small block Chevys before the short side shaft broke (Spicer shafts) and destroyed the housing while it was at it. I totally agree that if you need to replace internals, it is best to just find another complete usable axle with the right gears and swap it. Around here D25/D27's are only worth scrap price.
     
  8. Mar 7, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    I swapped my D27 for a matching 4.88 ratio and 11" brakes with a lunchbox locker - I also got a matching rear D44 with a detroit locker and flanged axles in the deal (I think I gave about $300 total for both off of CL). Sold the lift springs that came with it for about half that. Put another $300 in bearings, shims and seals into both, gave about $100 to have the R&P setup for me on the front. All in all, I think I got a decent deal.

    I'm glad my 'original' extra d27 with 4.88's in the parts pile in the back (10" brakes) is there...as well as the original D44 with power-loc. I can swap back to them and just swap out the 11" drums if I need to. I have D27 power-loc on the shelf waiting to see if I want to clean it up and install it, or just buy one of the NOS ones on e-bay for $225 (they were $150).

    Keep your eyes open for CL deals, they pop up once in a while.

    I missed a hub-to-hub complete D-30 w/ Disks by 15min for $150 a couple years ago.
     
  9. Mar 8, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    Around here 44s are common but one that’s just the housing goes for $3-400. I’ll be installing a Ramsey 246 I just rebuilt tomorrow afternoon and if I have a chance I’ll pop the diff cover off and see what’s broken inside. Thanks for all the input you guys, I appreciate it.
     
  10. Mar 9, 2018
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    I was able to use the stock ubolts and plates + muscle on the NT30 swap. The drive-shaft is tighter fit than I'd like but does work. I plan on getting a shorter one, but I have a F134.

    You will need to do something with steering. I swapped to Saginaw at the same time but I think some guys get a drag link made to length (not expensive btw) and ditch the dual tie rod setup for single and crossover.

    I matched gears up to 5.38. and ran a truetrac
     
  11. Mar 13, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    I finally got around to pulling the diff cover and the gears are fine. The short side axle shaft is busted, so where’s the best place to order a replacement from?
     
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  12. Mar 13, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    I'd start with a wanted to buy ad in the classifieds here.
     
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  13. Mar 14, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    Alright, will do. Is there any difference in the axle shafts for the 25 and 27?
     
  14. Mar 14, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Passenger or driver side, just because of length obviously.
    pretty much all parts interchange without modification except for the carrier.
     
  15. Mar 14, 2018
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Got any pictures of the carnage ?
     
  16. Mar 14, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    X2!!??
     
  17. Mar 14, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    I haven’t pulled the shaft yet, probably won’t till my next day off.
     
  18. Mar 17, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    So I’m finally trying to pull it out and I can’t get the wheel hub off. I’ve got the spindle nut off and see nothing else holding it on. Anyone got any idea?
     
  19. Mar 17, 2018
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    Spindle nut, lock washer, spindle nut, thrust washer and bearing.
     
  20. Mar 17, 2018
    dilly

    dilly New Member

    Southeast Idaho
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    The only one of those I see in there is the bearing. Do I need to pull it out before the hub will come off? And if so how do I do that?
     
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