Any guesstimates on how long to swap Dana 30?

[aviationstation]

All,

I have a new Dana 30 coming in for my 2000 XJ. Any idea how long a complete swap might take (swapping all but the tires & rims, and brake assys). Any special tools to think of? I brought a complete 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" metric & standard set, sledge hammer, pickle fork, screw drivers, wrenches, etc.

Thanks!

Matt Randolph
Fallbrook, CA (stuck in Mexico, Missouri)

[xtrememtbiker85]

it will prolly take a wekend depending on experience. you will deffinitly want another person to help you. you may want a good floor jack or two. one for the jeep and one for the axel. otherwise i think you will be all set. you have to remove the shocks, trac bar, coils, brake lines, vac line, upper and lower control arms, drive shaft, steering linkages, sway bar, you may want a 2x4 as well.

[Bradlybob]

Beer, don't forget the beer.
A set of jack stands.

[johnnyc]

Are you re-using anything from the old 30? You may need a 36 mm socket for the axle bolt and a 12-pt 13 mm socket for the hub bolts. But if this is a complete axle for complete axle swap...then never mind.

[rockwerks]

ITs a pretty simple process.

Jack up the front of the jeep place on jackstands.
disconnect steering and axle end of stabalizer
disconnect coil spring connector
disconnect brake lines at caliper
place floor jack under front axle and strap on. jack up to relieve tension
disconnect bottom of shocks
disconnect upper control arms at axle
disconnect lower arms at axle
disconnect trackbar at frame side

lower axle and pull out to front
place swap axle on floor jack and reverse process...I have done it myself, by myself in 3 hours.

last step is bleed the brakes

[ChiXJeff]

As a bit of a side note, a couple of years ago, without the use of power tools, I had the front D30 out from under my XJ in 45 minutes, with no assistance.

Unless you've had everything apart recently (which I did, and used Never-Seez liberally,) expect to take quite a bit longer. Getting the new one will be "interesting," in particular, you'll be fighting with the control arms in all likelyhood.

[PstrKd4BrthCntrll]

...you'll be fighting with the control arms in all likelyhood.

Might want to have a Come-A-Long handy too. I had to use one to get the holes in the arms and holes in the axle to align.

[rockwerks]

only if you dont have a clue what you are doing...if you instal the lower arms first then the uppers they usually line up really easily by using a prybar and the floor jack

[BSD]

Beer, don't forget the beer.
A set of jack stands.

Also, get more beer just in case it gets tough!

[willyb]

Use PB blaster - it's your friend. Like others have said it depends on how much corrosion is on your current setup. I'd say about two hours would be average - maybe more if this is your first time swapping an axle... Once you get the hang of it it's easy.. and can easily be done in ~45min. HTH

Will.

[OT]

And beer....

[xDUMPTRUCKx]

someone posted on here a trick to get the control arms lined up by using the underseat jack and some 2x4s. I wish i would have known about that the first time i swapped my 30.

[johnnyc]

Pipe wrench and floor jack. Works like a charm.