72 Dana 30 Disc Brake Swap

I wasn't able to find answers to a couple of my questions after searching the old threads on this forum so I have a few questions. It looks like swapping newer Dana 30 disc brakes from a later model dana 30 is the easy way to go so I went to the junkyard and purchased a set. Now I need to know what the considerations are so I do this correctly. Are there any different seals necessary to insure the axles seal properly? There is an adjustable piece in the upper control arm, Do I need to readjust this for use with the newer ball joints? Are the bearings in the newer hubs serviceable or do I have to replace the entire hub when the bearings need attention? I think I'm up to speed on plumbing the brakes so no need for any of that information here. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Can you post a picture of the parts you have? It would help.

 

My understanding is that the easiest route is to swap out everything from the ball joints out. This would include the outer axle stubs, I would presume.

 

What year Dana 30 did you buy the parts from? Pics would help like Scott said.

 

I'm not sure what year the donor vehicle was but it does have a 6 bolt hub mount (Locking Hub Mount) rather than the newer 5 bolt version.

 

Check the ball joints and assemble the new knuckles onto your axle housing.

 

So the adjustable part appears to be the caster/camber adjustment?

So Daryl are you certain that all the seals and bearings are the correct size? Have you actually done this conversion?

 

The adjustable part you are referring to is the adjustment for the upper ball joint, it's not a "control arm". Control arms locate an axle on a coil spring suspension.

The best way to confirm that the parts all work is to dis-assemble the unit and check the fit of the seals and bearings. The seal should fit snug on the spindle and the bearings should be a slip fit.

I converted a '72 D30 to discs, but used the GM style brackets and calipers. Ford/Jeep 1 1/8" thick rotors. I didn't have to change the outer stub shaft. Your application may be different. I swapped mine over from my old D27 that I converted to discs.

 

You will also need a ball joint press to remove/install the new ball joints. Research how to do this as there is a specific way to install/adjust the upper ball joint. Have fun, it's always a learning experience.

 

That screw in adjuster is to preload the ball joints. It is not for caster/camber adjustment. There is however offset ones just for do that adjustment.

Did you also get the Combination Valve for the disk/drum brake?

 

The knuckles are a direct fit, they just have the caliper brackets on them.
Disc brake spindles differ from drum brake spindles but are interchangeable with the inner bearings swapped. There are slight differences in the outer axle shafts.
With your drum brakes outer axle shafts, you may want to reuse your spindles and swap the inner bearings out of your original bearing hubs into the ones with the rotors.
The bearing hubs with the rotors on them will be flat on the backs to mate to the rotor.
You will need a tool to put the proper torque on the top ball joint when re-installing. It is a socket with 4 teeth on it that fits down into the bushing you showed in your picture.
A Factory service manual describes all the procedures in pretty good detail. Open knuckle Dana axles are very easy to work on and this swap is very common.
And yes it has been at least 2 weeks since I did this exact swap and probably done 3 of them this year.

 

So apparently I'm missing the hub seal that i'm suppose to have all along... or at least it looks like that. I'll have to do some more research.

 

OK so I found this photo of a seal that rides up against the rock shield of the short axle going into the hub. From what I can tell I should have 1. a brass thrust washer 2. a small rubber seal that sits right in front of the brass thrust washer and 3. This larger seal that fits around the outer edge of the previously mentioned components. Does this look right and if so where do I find these parts. I've tried to source them but only come up with the inside seal and the small outer seal but not the larger seal pictured here...

 

722109 National or Timken. Same number.

 

Thanks Daryl.

 

So I have another question. The tube diameter on the 72 D30 is a little larger than the D27 I've been trying to find out if I need larger/wider Ubolts and spring plates. All of the available spring plates that I can find online list them as 55-71 and the later jeeps but leave out the mid 70's jeeps. Will the ubolts and springs from my 27 fit the 30 ? If not where can I find the spring plates?

 

I think I found the answer on my own and that is yes they are different. Now I just need to source the correct spring plates and U bolts...

 

Rockauto sells the u bolt kit from Rancho. The u bolt plates are available from Ruffstuff. I always try to get the original plates with an axle but you are probably too late for that.