Dana 30 front axle question

[clawdog60]

Can you run without axle shafts installed or do they support the wheel bearings?

[4.3LXJ]

You can. But pull both of them or you will have fluid sloshing out from the diff. Be sure to stuff rags in the tubes to keep dirt out

[clawdog60]

Bearings are shot in the third member so I pulled both axles and drive shaft, drained diff fluid.
Drove about 25 miles and now the wheel bearings are grinding and wheels wobble when lifted off the ground. I think it ate the bearings up.

[bigjim350]

The axle shafts hold the bearings together. You can either take apart you axle shafts and just use the outers in the bearings. Or get the little stub shafts they use on 2wd's. Or use a really big bolt with a nut on it.

[tommy guns]

Damn. Good thing you only drove 25 miles,you could've lost a wheel...

[Mudderoy]

Get a spare, or two, of the 2 wheel drive wheel bearing assemblies.

Oh and a couple of these to cap off the tube ends.

https://d2jocyn8o0ggnq.cloudfront.net/assets/products/dorman/product/10227/485508.JPG