Dana 30 Tear Down..What am I missing?

I am trying to tear down my new to me Dana 30 front axle with discs. I have pulled the calipers and locking hub off. Now what? I can't seem to figure out what is holding this rotor on. Here are some pics of what I am working with,




Puller? Beat with a big hammer?

 

Once you get that gear pulled off there is the typical nuts and washers. The gear is probably just stuck from being used and has wear marks that are causing it to stick on there. Pry gently with 2 small thin pry bars (read screwdrivers if need be) if that doesn't work try a small puller.

 

not pretty sur but may not have took the nut that hold the hub to the spindle...those are inside the hub. Normaly youre supposed to see everything but there is some kind of washer between the manual lock bolt hole and the gear. Take this washer away and you will see what you need to remove under it

 

agree with mcruff, take off that gear that your locking hub now fits over. under that will be nuts and washers, If my memory is correct there is a snap ring in there also. then pull the rotor off.

That gear you are going to take off to get to the nuts are actually part of you locking hubs.

 

Posted via Mobile Device

 

I went back to the garage and tried to get that gear off. No luck, I guess it is stuck. I might try and disassemblenthe other side and see if that comes off different. Does anybody have picture of this assembly? I have the service manual for my jeep, but this axle is off a 77 and is not in my book.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

The gear that you see is the "guts" of your locking hubs. A snap ring holds the gear onto the axle shaft but it looks like you already have it off. The gear comes off, then there will be a nut - washer - nut - washer holding the hub to the spindle.

Remove those and then pull the hub/disc assembly off. Then remove the 6 bolts holding the spindle to the knuckle and pull the spindle off. Next remove the axle shafts and then remove the knuckles.

 

If this is off a 77 its exactly like mine. remove the gear , the 2 nuts and washer, assembly will slide off. That gear can be tough as it bangs around and wears grooves that are hard to line up. Keep at it.

 

Well, again you guys have countered my ignorance. Was able to pull that gear off and get to the washers and nuts. Thanks for all your help, I owe you a . Looks like I will need new calipers, backing plate and rotors. They are rusty. Cheers

 

If rust causes you to get new calipers you need a whole new jeep. Take them off plug the holes and use a wire wheel on them, prime and paint them back up. If the rotors still have stock , turn them and forget it. These rotors are thick and can be turned several times.

 

Ha, good point. The rotors I think will be fine. The calipers I am not so sure of however. Is there any way to test them? Just to make sure they arent seized at all?

 

if you've never taken one apart, or serviced one before, the effort isn't worth it.
just replace them
it is your life and your familys life were talking about

 

I left the backing plates (actually dust shields) off mine.

 

Alright, got another question for the braintrust. How does the caliper bracket come off? It would appear to just come off, right? I've tried whacking it with a mallet and she is not budging. Is there a trick to this or something I am missing? I assume it is just stuck real good.

 

So long as you have the bolts out the only thing holding it on is rust and corrosion. I think there is a shallow round boss on the back side though that sort of locates it to the spindle, IIRC. Been awhile since I had mine apart.

 

Thanks Mcruff. I figured it was just fused on with rust. I soaked it with some PB Blaster. Will get after it later.

 

Spindle is most likely gonna be rusted to the hub as well. I like to put one of the nuts back on it and then smack that with a rubber mallet or other soft faced hammer. That usually gets it off.

 

Alright, I have most everything off one side of the axle except the knuckle. I have tried pressing it out but nothing. I have the steering rod off. It looks like there is something around the threads of the ball joint. Here is a pic:

Does this come out? Or is this thing just stuck really good like everything else on this axle.

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71504&highlight=dana+ball+joint+socket

moved for better exposure

 

Do NOT try to remove that split nut yet. You have to pound out the ball joint first. The thread that was just posted above should help.

Essentially the castle nut gets put back on the thread so that you have something to strike with a large hammer...be sure the lower nut is removed from the lower ball joint. Then whack the upper one downward...hard. After that's done the split nut will come out, it's for setting the pre-load...again, read the thread from above for more detail.