Front axle rebuild?

Rixram · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 12:53 am

Does anyone have a guide handy for rebuilding the front axle?

"Tractor" is having some axle issues....

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 9:47 am

Which part of the front axle? Differential, the right/left axle shafts, or the unit bearing? Noise from the front end could be any of the above, but the most likely are:

grinding rocks sound - Likely a failing unit wheel bearing
banging on the right or left side, especially during turns - Likely a CV joint on the axle shaft
wobble or vibration under the drivers side seat - Could be a CV on the front drive shaft

Rixram · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:03 am

bugnout wrote:

Which part of the front axle? Differential, the right/left axle shafts, or the unit bearing? Noise from the front end could be any of the above, but the most likely are:

grinding rocks sound - Likely a failing unit wheel bearing
banging on the right or left side, especially during turns - Likely a CV joint on the axle shaft
wobble or vibration under the drivers side seat - Could be a CV on the front drive shaft

Differential.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:10 am

You may want to ask this question over in the KJ 4x4 section.

The front "axle" in the KJ is a Dana 30a and is pretty much just like any other Dana 30 with a few exeptions:
1. the case is made of aluminum
2. its used with a independent front suspension
3. it uses a different pinion gear

Also, the front axle of a 4 cylinder KJ (CRD) is mounted slightly differently from a V-6 KJ. All that really means is that the front CV axles are not the same as on the V-6 model.

As previously mentioned, start checking the easy things first.
Wheel/hub bearings
CV axles/joints
Also the passenger side intermediate shaft has been known to cause some problems.

If the problem turns out to be something in the differential, I would take it to a good axle/driveline shop. Some special tools are necessary.

Rixram · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:41 am

flash7210 wrote:

You may want to ask this question over in the KJ 4x4 section.

The front "axle" in the KJ is a Dana 30a and is pretty much just like any other Dana 30 with a few exeptions:
1. the case is made of aluminum
2. its used with a independent front suspension
3. it uses a different pinion gear

Also, the front axle of a 4 cylinder KJ (CRD) is mounted slightly differently from a V-6 KJ. All that really means is that the front CV axles are not the same as on the V-6 model.

As previously mentioned, start checking the easy things first.
Wheel/hub bearings
CV axles/joints
Also the passenger side intermediate shaft has been known to cause some problems.

If the problem turns out to be something in the differential, I would take it to a good axle/driveline shop. Some special tools are necessary.

Is this front diff used on any other vehicles?

olypopper · **Posted:** Tue Mar 08, 2016 11:29 am

Rixram wrote:

flash7210 wrote:

You may want to ask this question over in the KJ 4x4 section.

The front "axle" in the KJ is a Dana 30a and is pretty much just like any other Dana 30 with a few exeptions:
1. the case is made of aluminum
2. its used with a independent front suspension
3. it uses a different pinion gear

Also, the front axle of a 4 cylinder KJ (CRD) is mounted slightly differently from a V-6 KJ. All that really means is that the front CV axles are not the same as on the V-6 model.

As previously mentioned, start checking the easy things first.
Wheel/hub bearings
CV axles/joints
Also the passenger side intermediate shaft has been known to cause some problems.

If the problem turns out to be something in the differential, I would take it to a good axle/driveline shop. Some special tools are necessary.

Is this front diff used on any other vehicles?

Yes and no. Dana 30a is use in lots of rigs but as mentioned, subtle differences are common in all models like Libertys and Nitros. Get yours torn down and go from there. If you need a bearing set just replace and set your gear lash.......sometimes the crush ring for the pinion is really tough to set and you'll need to use gear paint to check wear pattern. Some good videos on YouTube that detail Chrysler differential rebuilding. You may have to improvise on some tools.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2016 1:03 pm

olypopper wrote:

Yes and no. Dana 30a is use in lots of rigs but as mentioned

The D30A was only used on 1 vehicle,Jeep Liberty's from 2002 to 2007 and that is it.Nitro's and KK's got the D30M,basically a aluminum IFS version of the JK D30(they both use the same gear sets).

And no the D30M will not direct bolt into a KJ.

tomasnc · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 10:34 am

I will suggest that the the needle bearing and seal be replaced that carries the intermediate shaft, IOW's where the CV axle connects to the output shaft. Attached is a nice parts breakdown.https://www.google.com/search?q=jeep+liberty+dana+30a+axle+parts&tbm=isch&imgil=5IPHWp2JntchhM%253A%253BaGpo20JnEXZSoM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.quadratec.com%25252Fjeep-replacement-parts%25252Fliberty-kj%25252Fkj-dana-30-front.php&source=iu&pf=m&fir=5IPHWp2JntchhM%253A%252CaGpo20JnEXZSoM%252C_&usg=__vJO945FViUe1scSnr5sS_PrPOF8%3D&biw=1920&bih=901&ved=0ahUKEwimwuu8qrbLAhWB1B4KHb-2B-EQyjcITQ&ei=_oThVqbLOIGpe7_tnogO#imgrc=5IPHWp2JntchhM%3A

I had posted about my problems with the shaft and axle wearing out prematurely. My bearing is worn and I should have paid closer attention to this also. Olypopper had suggested this in previous posts. If you are going to this much trouble fix all of these potential wear items.
I installed a new intermediate shaft and CV axle yesterday and the vibration was very noticeable.

Tom

cody.vandieren · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:02 am

I replaced axle seals and bearings today also. The axle bearings that were in my axle were more of a bushing than a bearing. The new part I got was a needle bearing style. I was worried but after some research I found out this was correct. Not sure if the part was improved from a bushing to bearing in the past? Or maybe someone was in my axle once before and installed something incorrect.

Just a word of advice from me... :JEEPIN:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:35 am

cody.vandieren wrote:

I replaced axle seals and bearings today also. The axle bearings that were in my axle were more of a bushing than a bearing. The new part I got was a needle bearing style. I was worried but after some research I found out this was correct. Not sure if the part was improved from a bushing to bearing in the past? Or maybe someone was in my axle once before and installed something incorrect.

Just a word of advice from me... :JEEPIN:

They actually went from the needle bearing style to the bushing style.You got lucky to find the needle bearings.

tomasnc · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:40 am

cody.vandieren wrote:

I replaced axle seals and bearings today also. The axle bearings that were in my axle were more of a bushing than a bearing. The new part I got was a needle bearing style. I was worried but after some research I found out this was correct. Not sure if the part was improved from a bushing to bearing in the past? Or maybe someone was in my axle once before and installed something incorrect.

Just a word of advice from me... :JEEPIN:

Cody,

Did removing and replacing the bushing for the bearing remove the end play? I have a lot of end play, i.e. wobble and this results in vibration.
I am assuming you used a blind hole style bearing puller?

Thanks for the update?

tomasnc · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 3:42 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

cody.vandieren wrote:

I replaced axle seals and bearings today also. The axle bearings that were in my axle were more of a bushing than a bearing. The new part I got was a needle bearing style. I was worried but after some research I found out this was correct. Not sure if the part was improved from a bushing to bearing in the past? Or maybe someone was in my axle once before and installed something incorrect.

Just a word of advice from me... :JEEPIN:

They actually went from the needle bearing style to the bushing style.You got lucky to find the needle bearings.

tjkj2002,

In your your opinion will the bearing be an improvement over the bushing?

Tom

cody.vandieren · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:16 pm

tomasnc wrote:

cody.vandieren wrote:

I replaced axle seals and bearings today also. The axle bearings that were in my axle were more of a bushing than a bearing. The new part I got was a needle bearing style. I was worried but after some research I found out this was correct. Not sure if the part was improved from a bushing to bearing in the past? Or maybe someone was in my axle once before and installed something incorrect.

Just a word of advice from me... :JEEPIN:

Cody,

Did removing and replacing the bushing for the bearing remove the end play? I have a lot of end play, i.e. wobble and this results in vibration.
I am assuming you used a blind hole style bearing puller?

Thanks for the update?

Still waiting on CV's to come so I cant comment on the end play yet.

I had the front diff removed for other reasons so I removed ring gear and used a long prybar from the other end to pound them out. Those seals are pretty good they did not come out easy...

tjkj2002 I could not find the bushing style. All i found was the needle bearings. Checked rock auto, amazon, and mopar parts....all listed needle bearing.

Front axle rebuild?

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