Low pinion D30 parts issue

[rob]

I'm replacing my front axle U joints. I did the typical break down. It's a Dana 30 low pinion unit. I live out on a giant sand bar called cape cod, so I do a lot of driving on the beach, winter and summer. I also drive in then snow, when the snow melts or when we get heavy rains it floods in certain areas and I whined up going through that as well. I spray down the bottom of my XJ fairly often because of the salt content here. Right now I have new rockers on the way, the water gets that deep.1) my dust shields are rotted. 2) When I pulled the hub off there is or was a metal ring the size of the hole in the hub the axle goes through. If anyone out there can tell me what its called or where to get the part it would be great. The shield and this part pretty much feel apart. If any one has ever done a PVC sink drain it looks like the piece of plastic that goes between a threaded piece and the part that screws onto this piece Its the flat piece not the tapered part. I tried the typical, quadratec they had no clue, 4wd hardware again no clue. Morris said its called a slinger and they sell them. Are they correct. Please help my truck is on jack stands in my driveway

[NW99XJ]

Pics would be helpful, but to me it sounds like it may have been part of the dust shield, and the rust/rot just separated it.
I have been into many D30's ....both HP AND LP.... ABS & Non ABS.... and I have never seen an additional gasket or plastic piece that resembles what your describing.

With that said... there IS a plastic dust shield on most D30 axle shafts, that keeps debris from entering the axle tube. It is not essential, and the jeep can be driven without it, but in your specific case, and with the conditions and terrain you drive in/on... I wouldn't go without it too long.

Older jeeps these are metal like this picture showing axle shafts off a CJ
(new G2 on the left, oem on the right - circled part is the dust ring)
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/attachments/f8/662471d1377798566t-1980-cj7-dana-30-axle-seals-g2-axle-copy.jpg

On newer (newer than a CJ) Jeeps, these are plastic, and can be seen in the next two pics:
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1134/axlejointsunithubs04211.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a318/CatSplat/Jeep/5f1a2ef8.jpg

For the XJ's these are a replaceable part if they need to be swapped out.
The "official" name for them is Inner Axle Dust Shield
...and they're pretty cheap. 4x4 Group buy sells a pair for less than $3.00 (http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/crown-automotive-8500-cherokee-dana-inner-axle-dust-shield-p-57533.html)
http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/images/Crown_Automotive_85-00_XJ_Axle_Dust_Shield.jpg

Another option would be to go with an upgrade.... and because of your location, and the conditions you drive in, I would recommend doing this.
They're called Axle Tube Seals....and they create a virtually impermeable seal on the axle tube itself, around the axle shaft. The range in price from around $40 - $60 and can be found anywhere you can buy offroad accessories.
http://www.4x4xplor.com/images/axleseals/DSC09225.jpg

If these inner axle dust shields arent what you're talking about, then I have no idea.
But again, a picture can be worth a thousand words.

[rob]

Thanks NJ99. the part I found out after talking to someone at Morris 4x4 is called a outer slinger. It looks almost like it was part of the dust shield but its not. The part is made by crown industries for jeep. And I was thinking about those billet seals and you made up my mind for me, I ordered them this morning, I also ordered all new ball joints. I figure if I have everything apart I might as well swap them out also. I don't do any rock crawling so a axle swap to a D44 isn't needed at this time. because of the weather here some rocker panel work is in order and my front doors need skins. I've had my limited since new and its taken me everywhere and anywhere I wanted to go It has 254k on it and it doesn't leak or burn oil so im keeping it and it will just keep better because of the term if it gives out just up grade it. The omu suspension is going to get swapped, maybe, I'm not sure yet