dana 30 upper ball joint

in the yoke on the dana 30 axle where the upper ball joint sits, there is a threaded split ring that threads into the axle housing. it looks like a special tool is needed to unthread and remove it from the axle housing. my question is why is it there? i am rebuilding the axle and is there any need to remove it? why would it be there for the upper ball joints and not the lower ball joints? once i press new ball joints into the knuckles, i plan to reinstall them and do not see the need to remove this piece. so can anyone tell me why it's there and why it is replacable? and should i bother to remove it? if i do remove it, should i replace it with a new one? where would i get a new one if need be? thanks!

 

it sets the preload on the joint, both upper and lower.

don't need to replace it, unless the mating surface is badly pitted.

the tool can be had for about $10.00. unfortunately, when i did my disc conversion, i snapped mine in half.

i suppose napa would be able to get one :?

*edit: i believe this is the reason the ball joints can be difficult to remove. the upper ball stud rusts/freezes to the mating surface of this locking ring, making them difficult to separate. a ball joint separator fork works very well to accomplish that. i usually wedge it between the upper part of the yoke and knuckle, and tap the end of the fork. pop.

 

thanks wally. how do i determine if i have the proper ball joint preload during assembly? what tool is used to measure ball joint preload? or is it simply enough to adjust this split nut to the point where there is no slop?

both of these nuts turn in the yokes for me without a problem, so thats a good thing.....

 

Typically they thread right out after the ball joint is removed. The new ball joint should come with one. I am going to take mine apart yet again as I don't like the way mine adjusted. I have more of the sleeve sticking out than I like. You can not turn them once the ball joint is seated into it without removing it.

 

the nuts aren't usually the problem. mine came apart easily, too. the upper ball studs didn't want to come out, though. that fork really came in handy.

not sure on the preload. i probably put too much, since i broke the spanner wrench. the manual does explain it decently, if you have one.

 

how has anyone else that has replaced dana 30 ball joints dealt with this adjustment?

 

Reffered to FSM for specs and procedure. That would be the logical thing to do.

 

I think torque to 25 ftlbs IIRC

 

25lbs is a lot less than what I used. But I wasn't happy with how mine looked after I did them. There are a lot of torque values floating around out there. I used the one that came with the ball joints. I took pictures of it, can't find them right now. I will get some new ones. As I recall the ball joint instructions had it torqued to 75 ft lbs. Somewhere else I remember reading 45ft lbs.

I did mine last year and my memory is foggy. I have all my manuals out in the garage, will pull them and look next time I am out.

 

ya, if i had one i probably wouldn't have to ask this question......

thanks coby, thats the info i was looking for!

 

that would be great. its not going back together for a while yet, so whenever you have a chance. thanks

 

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PDFs/Federal_Mogul_4X4_Balljoint_installation.pdf

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PDFs/front axle ball joint adjustment.pdf

(sorry to link from another board, but that was the only place I found the documents.)

link to moog install instructions. I would like to see what the FSM has to say about it, I have the hard cover chiltons and I think I still have a paperback chiltons and haynes. I know the 70 was too much torque in my case. I still haven't fixed it though.

 

OK 1974 FSM states Dana 30 CJ
Lower ball joint nut 1st to 80 ft lbs
Upper ball joint stud seat 2nd to 50 ft lbs
Upper ball joint nut 3rd to 100 ft lbs. Tighten until pin can be installed.

25 lbs is the the max breakaway for the knuckle when finished. You can use a large fish scale.

Hope that helps!

 

great information. thanks guys.

 

Linc, I bought a spanner wrench on ebay.$15 shipped. The one at Napa is $26.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...-86-CJ-SJ_W0QQitemZ300102528314QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.thejeep.com/onlinecatalog/p116.htm

 

that's the place where i got mine from. i broke it.

they're probably all the same [wrenches, that is], be it napa, carquest, .....

 

I looked at about 7 different vendors and they were all selling what looked to be the same tool ranging in price from $10-$36 so I chose the less expensive one.

I did see a spanner wrench that appeared to be well made for $80.