Dana 30 Gear Setup?

storeman

storeman

Known by Few
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Location
Whiteville nc
I had a Detroit True trac and new 4.56 gears installed several years ago. I would like to replace the TT with a Spartan Locker. I know I will have to get a Carrier for my ring gear. I have learned alot over the past 5 years and have done every thing else myself or with friends. SYE, Flat Skid, Lift, and Two Low just finshed.
My question is why can't I just unbolt the TT take the RG off and bolt it to the new Carrier, install the Spartan and put it back in. I have always hired gear work done. Can we do this right on our own?
 
Backlash and possibly pinion debt will have to be reset or at least checked to be sure they are in spec. If not you run the risk of destroying your gears.
 
Am I wrong in thinking that if I reused my old bearings and shims and left the Pinion alone sinse I am reusing the same gears , Just changing carriers basicly? I can take it somewhere if I need to. But I would like to learn somthing if I can.

Thanks
 
Dana 30 Carrier

The issue comes down to is the new carrier within a couple thousands of an inch of the old. This will effect gear setup. It might be fine, it might not. I would spend the time to to resetup if you want to rely on it.
 
mgearly34 said:
The issue comes down to is the new carrier within a couple thousands of an inch of the old. This will effect gear setup. It might be fine, it might not. I would spend the time to to resetup if you want to rely on it.
Click to expand...


That makes sense to me. I will give this some more thought.
What would I need to set it up correctly? A Dial Indicator and shim kit? I don't want to mess up my gears but I do like trying to do all I can on my Jeep. Plus I really only drive it about 3000 miles a year. I would not try this on my DD/Tow Rig.

Thanks
 
As stated by others, due to manufacturing tolerances, everything isn't perfect, and gears can be affected by as little as 1/1000th of an inch of movement. You can do it yourself with a dial indicator, two new sets of carrier roller bearings, one new set of races, and some shims. The hardest part is getting the old bearings off (which you won't have to do on a new carrier). Take one set of bearings and use a die grinder and sanding drum to open up the centers enough to slide tightly, but freely onto and off of the carrier. They don't have to be so easy they fall off, but you want to be able to get them on and off so you don't mind swapping shims. Since you are reusing the same gears, you don't have to do anything to the pinion (if the bearings are still good).

Before taking anything out, take a dial indicator and measure the backlash on your existing setup. WRITE IT DOWN. Then, install the dummy bearings and zero shims. Slide the carrier side to side in the housing, and write down the total movement. This is the total sum of shims you need between the two sides. Now add and subtract shims accordingly until you get the same backlash that the previous installation had. Make sure there is zero movement side to side and then add 5-10 thousandths of shims. You should have to beat it in and pry it out. Once this is done the new bearings can be installed onto the carrier with the shims, and the assembly installed into the axle. Double check everything.
 
jeepinmatt said:
As stated by others, due to manufacturing tolerances, everything isn't perfect, and gears can be affected by as little as 1/1000th of an inch of movement. You can do it yourself with a dial indicator, two new sets of carrier roller bearings, one new set of races, and some shims. The hardest part is getting the old bearings off (which you won't have to do on a new carrier). Take one set of bearings and use a die grinder and sanding drum to open up the centers enough to slide tightly, but freely onto and off of the carrier. They don't have to be so easy they fall off, but you want to be able to get them on and off so you don't mind swapping shims. Since you are reusing the same gears, you don't have to do anything to the pinion (if the bearings are still good).
Before taking anything out, take a dial indicator and measure the backlash on your existing setup. WRITE IT DOWN. Then, install the dummy bearings and zero shims. Slide the carrier side to side in the housing, and write down the total movement. This is the total sum of shims you need between the two sides. Now add and subtract shims accordingly until you get the same backlash that the previous installation had. Make sure there is zero movement side to side and then add 5-10 thousandths of shims. You should have to beat it in and pry it out. Once this is done the new bearings can be installed onto the carrier with the shims, and the assembly installed into the axle. Double check everything.
Click to expand...
Great info. What I was looking for. I will save your site in my Fav File under Jeep stuff. Hydro steering would be nice someday.
Thanks
 
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