Front Axle Question

[jauringer]

Here's a pic of the driver side yoke on a Dana 30. I noticed the yoke is not flush with the axle tube like it is on the other side. Is this a final length adjustment from the factory or was this one built on a Friday?



Ball Joint to Ball joint is 48.75"' to the center of each hole as it sits. I can seem to find a this length to verify placement.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

[Bill usn-1]

That measurement really isn't that critical since the inner shaft is splined.
The entire C is moved so the outer moves with it.
There is plenty of length in the splines for minor variances if there are any.

When doing a cut and turn you are simply cracking the weld and rotating so the depth is not changed.

[jauringer]

Thanks, more info, I"m currently running 6deg shims for proper caster but it's putting my pinion in a less than ideal position. I've cleared the yoke to eliminate binding but I'm considering a cut and turn while I have it out and stripped. This would give me an opportunity to push this "C" on flush with the axle tube before I weld it all back together.


Jason

set up:
4'' RC spring lift w/ 5'' shackles (SUA)
pinion @ 90 deg, Caster @ -4.5 deg
6 deg shims provide a positive caster but pushes my pinion a few deg toward the road.

[Bill usn-1]

Why?

I'm not understanding the need or desire to change it's factory setting.

You run the risk of the inner shaft butting up against the carrier.
Which will lead to the outer hub not fitting properly.

[jauringer]

Originally Posted by Bill usn-1

Why?

I'm not understanding the need or desire to change it's factory setting.

You run the risk of the inner shaft butting up against the carrier.
Which will lead to the outer hub not fitting properly.

Nope, not looking to get cute here. Just saying I've got an opportunity to fix it if it is indeed off that 1/4 inch. That's why I was looking for spec width @ the ball joint bores.

Thanks,

Jason

[jeff campbell]

would it be in the service manual jason? i just got 1? jeff

[Jay Tabor]

that dimensions isnt that critical at all, farther out is better. if you go to spicer website they may have those dimensions ..
I probably have them among my stack of spicer island literature . .
but im too lazy at the moment to go look ..
as others have mentioned...

a quick visual check for futurerama: is with vehicle on level ground and tires pointing straight ahead, is eye ball the outside edge of the tires left front and rear. right front and rear..
they should be matching in vertical position so it appears as ' l ' and not a ' y' .
and the front or rear tires outside edge is aligned with each other fore and aft so the tires on both sides appear to be equally spaced out from the body, with practice you can see if a tire/wheel is farther out from the vehicle body than the other 3 wheels/tires/training wheels are . .
an easy way for the untrained neophyte is - place a yard stick vertically arranged on outside edge of tire up the center of its diameter, and above top of tire 1 foots,
measure the distance to the vehicle body. go to otherside and do same, if you happen to notice that one side measures 5.525" AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS 9.999:" well brother youse gots problems!! or i should say-- the vehicle has problems . .
provided your sheet metal hasnt had its warranty voided or the frame hasnt twisted like a pretzel, then that means the whole axle/suspension springs and shakelaters has shifted to the side, or some other issue with axle housing or axle.. bent/ broken/stretched etc . .

[jauringer]

Originally Posted by jeff campbell

would it be in the service manual Jason? i just got 1? Jeff

No, I've got one right beside me. The manual is very helpful on the assembly as a whole but no dimensions that I've found. Now the pictures do show it flush but I'm not sure that means much.

Originally Posted by Jay Tabor

that dimensions isn't that critical at all, farther out is better. if you go to spicer website they may have those dimensions ..
I probably have them among my stack of spicer island literature . .
but I'm too lazy at the moment to go look ..
as others have mentioned...

a quick visual check for futurerama: is with vehicle on level ground and tires pointing straight ahead, is eye ball the outside edge of the tires left front and rear. right front and rear..
they should be matching in vertical position so it appears as ' l ' and not a ' y' .
and the front or rear tires outside edge is aligned with each other fore and aft so the tires on both sides appear to be equally spaced out from the body, with practice you can see if a tire/wheel is farther out from the vehicle body than the other 3 wheels/tires/training wheels are . .
an easy way for the untrained neophyte is - place a yard stick vertically arranged on outside edge of tire up the center of its diameter, and above top of tire 1 foots,
measure the distance to the vehicle body. go to other side and do same, if you happen to notice that one side measures 5.525" AND THE OTHER SIDE WAS 9.999:" well brother youse gots problems!! or i should say-- the vehicle has problems . .
provided your sheet metal hasn't had its warranty voided or the frame hasn't twisted like a pretzel, then that means the whole axle/suspension springs and shakelaters has shifted to the side, or some other issue with axle housing or axle.. bent/ broken/stretched etc . .

Thanks Jay. I have not been to Spicers site so I'll take a look and see.

It obviously worked fine this way so if I can't find the measurements, I'll just put it back on the same depth to circumvent any possible issues outlined by Bill. It's definitely the factory weld.

I've got a ton of work to do to this thing so I've got plenty of time to make a decision I feel comfortable with.

Thanks guys.

jason

Jason

[Jeff Jamison]

The only thing I would sugest,if you are going through all the work to do a cut and turn,you must be running bigger tires,why not get a 44 instead of the 30
Jeff

[WRENCH MAN]

Your axle is an oddball?, I'm not sure I've ever seen one that is flush up?, and we do a load of cut & turns and narrowing at work.