Dana 27 or 30? Visual differences.

I went to order new front wheel bearings from KW and the tech guy said I would need to know what axle and the only way to know for sure was to look at the letters on the inside of the bearing once they're out.

Bad thing is I need the bearing nut wrench to get the bearing out, that means 2 orders to ship.

Is there anyway to tell what axle I have? It's 62 Willys 5.

Thanks

 

You most likely have the Dana 25. The 30 is easily identifiable in a CJ because it has open knuckles. 25 and 27 should use the same bearings, and the drum brake 30 uses the same I think.

 

27 eventually used the larger diameter wheel bearings and wheel seals, the same as a drum brake 30.
LM501349 etc

25 was always the smaller diameter wheel bearings and wheel seals.

 

I was going to make some simplistic remark, but actually looked at part numbers, Seems 1962 has 2 different size bearings listed. Other years too. I have a pile of dana 25 and 30 stuff. In my pile all the drum D30 and the D25 stuff interchanges. All the hubs bearing and spindles work together. Am I lucky?

 

Not necessarily, you may have late 27 spindles on the 25 housing. The Dana 27 has the number cast in the webbing round the chunk area can't remember which web but it should be visible from the front of the axle.

 

Dana 25 has the differential breather on the front cover.
Dana 27 has the differential breather on top of the carrier housing.

GROUP 25-03
52942-----------------D25 front wheel cone----------------------------------18590
52943-----------------D25 front wheel cup------------------------------------18520
925446---------------D27 / D30 front wheel cone----------------------------LM 501349
925447---------------D27 / D30 front wheel cup-----------------------------LM 501310
xxxxxxx---------------D30 front wheel inner cone (disk brakes only------LM 102949
xxxxxxx---------------D30 front wheel inner cup (disk brakes only)------LM 102910

 

Thats great, thank guys!

Im pretty sure the breather is in the front cover.
I will have to double check tonight.

There are also a bunch of casting numbers on the webbing on the front of the axle but I don't remember seeing a 27.

 

Yes the gear covers will directly interchange.
If a switcheroo from Mr Magoo did occur it is possible that the axle would either have 2 breather vents or no breather vent

 

Well, upon further inspection and what to look for from you guys, looks to be a 25. Found the 25 casting on the back side and here's the breather on the front cover.