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[ukturbo2000]

I was talking on jeep club about how long it would take to  change a d30 on my xj as the pinion bearing is shot.
Had a strange reply from a supposed expert that i should just change the pinion bearing. Its a simple job.
Surely this is incorrect info as i thought you need to set backlash and torque a crush washer etc.
Your help appreciated

[JamesH]

No crush washer but shims and the need for an inch pound torque wrench. You might get lucky keeping the same shims as originally fitted and just putting a new bearing on. There's actually two bearings on the pinion but chances are it's the one closest to the outside off the diff case (not the one closest the crown wheel. - I always forget the proper name for them, I think it's inner and outer)

[Delk]

The dana 30 in an xj does use a crush sleeve.

[ukturbo2000]

Sorry guys even more confused now. One answer says yes to d30 having a crush washer and one says no it uses shims ?

[Dodster]

I think it depends wether its high or low pinion, think hp uses shims, lp uses crush spacer, which are a bitch to get started and easy to over do. Having done both I think it would be easier to change the axle if you can guarantee  the quality of the replacement, imo I would prefer to change the bearings, inner and outer (no point doing one without the other), more pain but you know what you've got..just my opinion.
Also I don't think  backlash should be affected if the pinion depth shims stay the same but bearing preload needs to be measured..I think...

[JamesH]

HP is definitely shims and no crush sleeve, I've rebuilt mine twice and one other HP one.

[ukturbo2000]

Thanks guys

[Bubba]

I think it depends wether its high or low pinion, think hp uses shims, lp uses crush spacer, which are a bitch to get started and easy to over do. Having done both I think it would be easier to change the axle if you can guarantee  the quality of the replacement, imo I would prefer to change the bearings, inner and outer (no point doing one without the other), more pain but you know what you've got..just my opinion.
Also I don't think  backlash should be affected if the pinion depth shims stay the same but bearing preload needs to be measured..I think...

Dodster has it nailed more or less   depends what you want to do really but a replacement axle might be faster and cheaper if guaranteed good
Changing the bearings is a bt time consuming and has to be done right particularly if yours is a crush sleeve d30 as a fraction to much will shorten the life of the bearings  drastically
Plus there are a couple of tools that make the job much easier

[ukturbo2000]

Well i started at 11.30 this morning taking old axle out. New one in and test driven by 4pm. New one runs as quiet as a mouse. Guy only charged me £100 for complete axle with shafts, hubs, trackbar and all steering gear including damper, springs and shocks. So now got lots of spares for nowt really.

[daggie]

result 

[Bubba]

Super result   new bearings and seal I would imagine are best part of a hundred quid