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Aa D18 Intermediate Shaft Kit W/taper Bearings

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by wasillashack, Apr 9, 2017.

  1. Apr 9, 2017
    wasillashack

    wasillashack Member

    Wasilla, Alaska
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    268
    Anyone here using one of these kits in a Dana 18? I'm interested in one for a DD, any pros or cons, worth the money/effort or not?
     
  2. Apr 9, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    I put one in mine...the big problem I had was the machining. I live in a medium large city and I could not find ANYONE in this town who could machine the gear...even tried machine shops that do prototype and aerospace work. Forum member McRuff saved the day....he's a great machinist and for a reasonable price too. The only down side is shipping time back and forth to him in Alabama.
     
    Posimoto likes this.
  3. Apr 9, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
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    5,407
    but it's worth it (y)
     
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  4. Apr 9, 2017
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    Yep, very worthwhile especially since most of the available replacement 1.25" intermediate shafts aren't worth the time to install and have a very short service life. The tapered bearings cut the D18 noise by at least half and the bearings-at least the Timken versions-last a long time.
     
  5. Apr 9, 2017
    wasillashack

    wasillashack Member

    Wasilla, Alaska
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    268
    My main concern is replacement 1-1/4" replacement shafts, most seem to be sub standard. Noise is certainly an issue, also.
     
  6. Apr 9, 2017
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    Most folks will use the Novak replacement shaft. I think it's their own, not offshore junk.
     
  7. Apr 9, 2017
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,547
    For you guys who have the AA shaft, Do you have to pack the bearings on occasion with grease or are they splash lubricated by the transfer case? I see in the instructions on AA's site that you have to re check tightness like a wheel bearing every 15,000 mi. I'm going to pull the trigger on one of these kits on Monday.
     
  8. Apr 9, 2017
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    I don't have a AA kit, but I'll be getting one in the near future too. They are lubed by the 90wt
     
  9. Apr 9, 2017
    SierraCJ5

    SierraCJ5 New Member

    Bakersfield CA
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2011
    Messages:
    14
    I was under the impression that the Novak shaft is a quality replacement option? Am I mistaken to think I'll get 20,000 miles from my 1.25" replacement?
     
  10. Apr 12, 2017
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    I had less than great results using a Novak intermediate shaft. I went with the AA tapered bearing setup, McGruff did the machining for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I got tired of changing out the intermediate shaft every couple of years. From an engineering point of view, the factory roller bearing setup on the shaft is a poor choice. Because of the way the gears mesh there is substantial side loading on the shaft that the rollers and shaft can't seem to handle very well. The tapered bears do it just fine.
     
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