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Dana 25 Play

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by tripilio, Nov 23, 2018.

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  1. Nov 23, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    I have a 62 cj5 with a Dana 25 in the front. I noticed the yoke has a considerable play in-out. I opened the pumpkin and parts look somewhat ok. The jeep is not currently running as I'm rebuilding it. Would that be something shimming could fix? Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 23, 2018
    47v6

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    See if you an tighten the yoke down. You don't want in and out play as it will eventually impact the case and destroy it and the gears. If thats not the problem, its the pinion bearings maybe.
     
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  3. Nov 23, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Thanks! I will try that first.
     
  4. Nov 23, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    There should be no detectable in-out motion. Go ahead and tighten, but I would not hold out a lot of hope for that. The outer pinion bearing is the bearing most vulnerable to poor lubrication, so it's most likely to fail. After the tightening routine fails to improve, I would take the yoke off, remove the seal and look at the condition of that bearing. Check the TSM - I believe you can get the bearing cone out of the pinion, but you will need to remove the pinion shaft if you need to replace the race (pretty much required if the bearing is toast).

    BTW you are supposed to use a new nut every time you assemble the yoke to the pinion.
     
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  5. Nov 23, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Basically, new bearing and set the pre load? At that point is a rebuild required/recommended? I was considering a D30 but down here (South Florida) is easier to find an honest used car salesman!
     
  6. Nov 23, 2018
    Keys5a

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    The pinion has taper roller bearings, so a little play feels pretty bad. As mentioned above, torque down the nut at the yoke and see the results. Still loose? Expect a minimum of a new small end bearing and race.
    -Donny
     
  7. Nov 23, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Donny, pardon my ignorance. What is a small end repair? BTW, thanks for your reply!
     
  8. Nov 24, 2018
    45es

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    The small end repair is the bearing/race set adjacent to the yoke. The inner bearing/race set adjacent to the pinion gear is larger in diameter.
     
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  9. Nov 24, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Thanks!
     
  10. Nov 24, 2018
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

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    my dana 41 rear had a huge amount of play. It was the shims on the sides of the carrier one had broken out because it was so thin I replaced two or 3 thin ones with one thick one
     
  11. Nov 24, 2018
    timgr

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    A 25 or 27 for the front of these Jeeps has no value except as scrap or a replacement part, and as you noted, they often get discarded in favor of a 30. Depending on the condition of your axle, it might be worthwhile to look for a complete replacement axle. Setting up an axle requires time, expertise and special tools, so a good used replacement may make more sense.

    Not jumping to conclusions though - go ahead and tighten, and if needed, inspect the outer pinion bearing. May be an easy fix.
     
  12. Nov 24, 2018
    Keys5a

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    As Tripilio stated, vintage Jeep parts are scarce in this area, so he will likely be fixing what he has.
    -Donny
     
  13. Nov 24, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Donny is absolutely right. Any axle available is so far away (not even within the state of Florida) that shipping would probably exceed the cost of a repair threefold.
    Timgr, I have seen some videos and is not that bad. Other than the tool to set the pinion preload, I think I can tackle it. I want to be sure of the approach to take before spending a lot of hard earned cash on parts.
     
  14. Nov 24, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

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    Just an FYI, I've recently acquired a couple axles through members here who were willing to strap them to a pallet and drop them off at Fastenal. Their rates are reasonable in my opinion. $160 to get from Berkley Ca. to Northern MN. I can't take time off and drive very far for that.
     
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  15. Nov 24, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Any of those members have more? I need a good 25, 27 or a short track 30. Please, if you could point me in the right direction it woud be great! Thanks!
     
  16. Nov 24, 2018
    GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

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    Depending on how you use it, you might even consider putting it off until it breaks. If you have lockout hubs and unlock them and have it in 2wd there is no spinning of the yoke and it would only spin in 4wd. So unless you use 4wd a lot you could probably get by for years with it like it is. I've got a couple axles laying around, as do a bunch of us up north, but shipping it would never make sense, cheaper for you to repair. Around here axles go for $50-75 and your lucky to even be able to sell them.
     
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  17. Nov 24, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Thanks! Miami is as flat as it comes. Not a lot of 4x4 foreseen. Besides, my other pickup has that capability if I ever need it. I will finish rebuilding the rest (u joints and seals) as it was in very poor condition and I will see when we are running what gives.
     
  18. Nov 24, 2018
    Keys5a

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    You need to try torquing the nut on the yoke to see what that does. You might be OK. Setting up the ring and pinion is kind of an art form, taking both tools, knowledge, and patience. I have had to rework some of my diffs a couple more times to get them right, At least up in Miami, there are several shops that do this work.
    -Donny
     
  19. Nov 24, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

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    Like has been said, see what you can do with what you have. Keep an eye open for a replacement, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you stumble into.
     
  20. Nov 24, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

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    Thanks, Bowbender!
     
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