Dana 30 front axle

[saspeir]

Opened up my front axle to replace my inner seals and discovered my differential is welded up at the spider gears!! The welds are broke! Should I have it re-welded or just replace the gears?

Need help!!
Scott

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Depends on a few factors.

1) Do you ever drive it on-road in 4wd? If so, a welded diff is probably not for you.

2) Do you only use 4wd when off road and require spool-type traction?

3) Will the spiders with broken weld come out of the carrier cleanly for new spiders to be installed?

 

[saspeir]

I been driving it everyday! Haven't even taken it off road yet! Was trying to fix all my leaking seals and bad u-joints first! But it will be more of a daily driver! And I don't know of they will come out! May have to replace everything.

 

[saspeir]

And I only drive in 4 wheel drive when I am off road.

 

[808CJ7]

You might want to remove the spider gears. If the welds are broke, there's a good chance there's some debris floating around in there. Only takes a small piece of slag to ruin the bearings. Since its mostly a daily driver, replacement spider gears would be more cost effective.

 

[saspeir]

I am trying to find some now

 

[808CJ7]

Another thing to consider, like bounty hunter said. If you need the extra traction, a lunchbox locker like the Aussie locker would replace the spider gears and give you the extra traction you need. Whichever way you decide. You should check for any damage

 

[69jeepcj]

If you are not going to drive it on asphault in 4wd, I would probably have them rewelded. Someone with not the best welding skills may have tried to weld yours up and it didnt hold. I know people that run on 38's with a welded front end and havnt had any breakage, not saying they won't break but if done by certified welder they should hold up a while. I would only go this route if money was tight (which it is), you can always replace the gears later. A gear replacement is pricey compared to a reweld. If it were a unwelded set I would say don't weld, but since it was already done why not...

 

[flatie46]

I'm not sure what the gears are going for these days, maybe 80bucks? Anthor option would shop around for a used front axel and swap out the whole thing. I wouldn't go to a junkyard but check craigslist for somebody selling Jeep parts. If you can catch someone wanting to get rid of an axel you might get it for 100-200 bucks. A narrow trac isn't rare and hard to find. If you can catch someone upgrading or building a crawler and just wanting the take offs outta the way you might do well. Just anthor option to think about.

 

[xjmarc]

Before you buy new spiders make sure you can get the old ones out. When I weld up a carrier I weld to the carrier as well and you won't ever get them out, they won't break either for than matter and if they did there is enough weld that it wouldn't matter.

 

[saspeir]

I am just welding them up again and hope it lasts till I can just upgrade the hole axle!
Thanks for all your in put!