Dana 30 leaking source?

[Metlic53]

my 90 XJ has the vacuumm disconnection front dana 30, it has the posi lok cable installed. it has never had a leak in the three years i have owned it. i just got back from a trip to muddy gras and the next day i have a pool of gear oil that is leaking out of the passenger axle tube, right where that little white seal is.
Where inside the diff is a seal that could need replacing? Or do i just need a newer better seal on the outside of the axle tube? like these?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/52420_900.htm

[bluedragon436]

The Superior axle seals would look good, and would def. keep your axle from draining all the fluid all over your driveway... But you would still have a leak from the diff into the tube.. IIRC there is an inner axle seal, that I believe can be changed through the diff housing.. I am pretty sure that there is a seal there where the diff meets up with the tubes... cause I know you are supposed to be very careful when removing and installing the axles when you are working on the axle, so you won't hit and/or damage the inner seal...

[4.3LXJ]

There are two seals in that axle tube. The one next to the carrier and one on the outside of the CAD. You probably have the one near the carrier leaking, which is no big deal as long as the CAD is sealed up good. You probably need to give both some attention

[Metlic53]

well then...doesn't sound fun...Does the one near the carrier require carrier removal?

[4.3LXJ]

yes

[Metlic53]

yes

now's about the time i wish i had the knowhow to reset a carriers backlash

[bluedragon436]

IIRC... so long as you keep the spacers and shims in the same positions and order as they are now they should be good to put back in, in reverse order you take them out...

[Metlic53]

sooo its different than say the 8.25? i tried that once and wow, it pulled to the right like crazy...

[bluedragon436]

Maybe I'm wrong, and someone with far more knowledge like Steve will chime in and correct me.... but that is what I was reading when I was talking about doing a front lunch box locker...

[Metlic53]

well i hope you are right then! i'm gonna weld up that dana 30, might as well fix the seals while i'm in there.

[cantab27]

seals in the d 30 are easy fix,,,,,gotta a few links if yall want a write up ..just done mine before i fitted the locker

[Metlic53]

seals in the d 30 are easy fix,,,,,gotta a few links if yall want a write up ..just done mine before i fitted the locker

sure i'll take that, i need all the help i can get

[NW99XJ]

I dont have the disconnect axle, but have plenty of experience replacing axle seals.
ITs not hard, you just have to take your time, follow procedure, and pay attention to what your doing.
Steve was right, as long as the bearings, and caps go back in the same side, AND orientation, you'll be fine as far as the backlash goes. And remember, ALWAYS torque to specs.
Here's the page in my write up where I covered the procedure. (lots of pics)
My build - page 4 (http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=11347&page=4)

Also, you'll want to get the seals that look like this:
http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/large/bca/710068_p04_ang.jpg

See the big metal lead-in flange?
This will help with the guide-in of the axle shaft when you go to put it back in.
Upon re-installation of the axle shaft, it is typical (and easy) to nick the rubber seal and roll it or damage it, and end up with a leak still.

Other seals will look like this:
http://www.quadratec.com/Assets/Images/33552/33552-md.jpg

You can see that they dont have that nice flange.....
Hope this helps.

[4.3LXJ]

You can pull the carrier and reinstall it. No problem. I just did it when installing my front lunchbox locker. Just keep track of the bearing races and put them back the way they came out.

[msmoorenburg]

now's about the time i wish i had the knowhow to reset a carriers backlash

I have the tools to make it happen. The d30 is cake walk over the 8.25