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Front Dana 30 - 27 Spline

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Lockman, Jan 29, 2020.

  1. Jan 31, 2020
    Ohiowrangler

    Ohiowrangler Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Newark, Ohio
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    I've never tried to remove and install a ring gear with the case still in the housing. If you have to go that far, take it a part and do it on the bench. The repair will be better quality, your blood pressure will be lower and less bumps on jour head. Ron
     
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  2. Jan 31, 2020
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    Eh, its really not bad. I did it on my 3.73 d30. I was taking a destroyed lock-rite out, but it was not bad at all. Then you don't have any questions about the torque on your bearing caps or alignment or whatever. When I did my rear 44 I took it out. Still not too bad.
    For a semi-competent mechanic a lunchbox locker install using either method is in an easy afternoon of sniffing gear oil.
     
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  3. Jan 31, 2020
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    He shouldn't have to remove the ring gear at all.
     
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  4. Jan 31, 2020
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    [​IMG]

    If removal of the cross shaft is not blocked by the ring gear as in the figure above, you simply remove the bolt or pin that retains it and slide it out. If the ring gear is thicker, and blocks it, then you are going to have to take the case out and remove the ring gear.

    for D30's with 4.10 and numerically lower gears you can probably do it in place. 4.27, maybe but numerically higher you're probably in "thick" ring gear territory and will need to remove the ring gear.
     
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  5. Jan 31, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thank You Dr. ,
    That's how I understand it. Btw, The Great One's quote is all we should need in our live's ! :beer:
     
  6. Jan 31, 2020
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    Yeah, I've recently gotten into hockey a lot more since my son started playing in the fall. And now I'm starting to play, tonight. Taking my shot...
     
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  7. Feb 1, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    The whole question of thick and thin gears has not completely been explained. From the factory on our Jeeps, there is no such thing as a "thick" gear, these are only an aftermarket creation. The reason for a "thick" gears is it enables you to install lower gears (higher numerically) without having to change to a different Series case.
    With our Jeeps, there can be either 3 Series cases or 4 Series cases depending on the ratio of the ring & pinion, and the case "breaks" (the limits of a particular case) vary between, say a D30 and a D44, so they are not the same across the range of Dana axles.
    A "thick" gear is made by the aftermarket to allow you to put lower gears, like a 4.88, onto a 3 Series case that otherwise would have required a 4 Series case for this ratio (3.73 is the lowest gear normally supported by a 3 Series case in a D44). The thick gears are literally thicker, blocking access to the removal of the cross shaft/pin holding the spider gears. I have never seen a stock ring gear that blocks access to the cross shaft.
    Simply pop off your front cover and look at the end of your cross shaft. Is it being blocked from removal by the ring gear teeth? If it can be pulled straight out, you have thin (original size) gears and your good to go.
    -Donny
     
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  8. Feb 1, 2020
    47v6

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    Thanks for that explanation. I have always wondered what people were talking about with thick vs thin.
     
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  9. Feb 1, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Interesting. I did not know that about blocking the cross shaft/pin.

    I would point out that new OEM open cases are not expensive, and used is likely quite cheap. I expect these thick gears would be a good value when faced with a 3 series LSD or locker and 4 series gears are desired.
     
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  10. Feb 1, 2020
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
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    Thanks for the explanation. I have 3.73 years and the ring gear is thick enough to block access to the cross shaft. The tags on the diff cover and ring gear stamping agree.

    Do I understand correctly that these diffs could have had a "thin" gear of a lower ratio? I've had this jeep for since 1995 and believed at that time it was still factory original.
     
  11. Feb 1, 2020
    Lockman

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    Thanks again Donny,
    I also have 3.73 years and the ring gear is thick enough to block access to the cross shaft ? So.... as timgr stated, I will be of good value when swapping this ring to my new Trac-Loc case ? Also, are the numbers to the left , on the ring gear, the date of MFG. ?
    Thick Ring gear Dana 44 & #’s.JPG
    Thick Ring gear Dana44 & #’s .2.jpg
    Thick Ring gear Dana44 & #’s .5.jpg
     
  12. Feb 1, 2020
    Lockman

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    Hey Fellah's,
    I was able to answer my second question above :

    The original ring gear is engraved and has the production date.

    In this instance:
    12 2 74 Dana 18515 A3E54 41-11

    12 2 74 is the production date ; Dana is obvious ; 18515 :shrug: ; A3E54 :shrug: ; 41-11 is the gear ratio.

    From this, it seems that this is the Stock Ring Gear ?
     
  13. Feb 1, 2020
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Hello timgr,
    I always respect your knowledge & input . I have a Trac-Loc with the following letter's & #'s stamped on the Case. Can you Decipher?
    SIL-11 Spicer
    0754
    Trac- Loc
    IS-1 ......... & I THINK #707147X ????
    Thanks, again.
    Richie-----Lockman
     
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