what was the first thing you broke on your hp30 besides axle shafts or u-joints?

[mbryson]

this was my first dana 30 break! tore out both ball joints, destroyed both inner and out shafts and of course the u-joint

I've seen that a few times. Once on my XJ. Another on a TJ and I was surprised it didn't happen on another TJ I was with on the trail on Rocker Knocker. None of the ones I've seen firsthand were done with a lot of skinny pedal. Shit just broke

 

[Cody]

I've never broken a 30, but I sure did break the bejesus out of dana 44 parts. Almost always shafts/joints, and since they are basically the same as a 30, I would bring those for sure (as you already stated).

Otherwise, I've seen a handful of ball joint failures, but considering how many 30's are out there on the trail, I think they have a pretty good track record. Enough so that I think a dana 44 is a completely worthless "upgrade".

 

[jeep-N-montero]

So I bought the IRO "C" gussets and "almost alloy" kit for $55 shipped and are scheduled to be here tomorrow. Seems that common u-joint failures are due to the retainer clips popping off allowing for the bearing caps to fall out, the "almost alloy kit" prevents the caps from coming off.

Cody, if I do upgrade to a 44 it will be an hp44 that is worth doing. I am amazed at the responses I get from some guys who are clueless to the fact that their "44" is merely a glorified d30.

 

[mbryson]

So I bought the IRO "C" gussets and "almost alloy" kit for $55 shipped and are scheduled to be here tomorrow. Seems that common u-joint failures are due to the retainer clips popping off allowing for the bearing caps to fall out, the "almost alloy kit" prevents the caps from coming off.

Cody, if I do upgrade to a 44 it will be an hp44 that is worth doing. I am amazed at the responses I get from some guys who are clueless to the fact that their "44" is merely a glorified d30.

I wouldn't bother with the hp44, but that's just me. We used actual snap rings rather than the stock clips and were still breaking shafts or joints. I could have dropped some coin on alloys, but that is close to the price of a D60 by the time you buy upgraded joints and shafts.

I'd probably stop with the gussets if I ever have a D30 again. The biggest thing seemed to be rotating mass of 35" tires. I'd stick to 33" tires if I went back to a D30 or D44.

 

[Gravy]

Don't start that discussion here. We know Cody's experience, and we know folks who have made it work. Leave it at that.

 

[cuban b]

real dana 44's with lock out hubs, high steer options, etc. are worth upgrading to. They are usually dirt cheap as well. Hardly a worthless upgrade.

 

[Deweyxj]

real dana 44's with lock out hubs, high steer options, etc. are worth upgrading to. They are usually dirt cheap as well. Hardly a worthless upgrade.

I ran a Lockrite & later model 297 shafts on 33's for 3 years without any problems. I just kept breaking the side gears in the Detriot in my 35 rear! :-\

When I upgraded to a 9" the matching 44 was a natural selection, & getting the flat top knuckle for the high steer was a nice bonus!

Like they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

 

[krany]

Krany, what was the situation where/how it occurred?

i was doing a wedge out at mini moab, had my tire wedged pretty good into the wedge, this is how it went from there
spotter: give it some gas,
me.....gives a little gas
spotter: more gas
me....gives more gas....
spotter: bump it hard
me....bumps it pretty good
jeep: hop...bounce a little....bam cluck-a-lunka bam....

 

[jeep-N-montero]

i was doing a wedge out at mini moab, had my tire wedged pretty good into the wedge, this is how it went from there
spotter: give it some gas,
me.....gives a little gas
spotter: more gas
me....gives more gas....
spotter: bump it hard
me....bumps it pretty good
jeep: hop...bounce a little....bam cluck-a-lunka bam....

Wow, did you kick him in the crotch after?! A good spotter will try to get you through things using as little throttle as possible in most cases, although there are some exceptions to this. I have met a few guys that I trust to help me get through anything, none of which said to use the skinny pedal to bump it hard.

 

[N-Smooth]

only thing i've had problems with is the ujoint caps rotating and losing the clips so the caps are free to fall out. 2 or 3 tack welds on each cap solved that problem. i like this route more than the almost alloys because i could hit the the tacks with a chisel and change the joints on the trail if someone else was using my spare etc.
i also have a little twist on the splines of one of my inner shafts but it doesn't bother me. this is all from 3 yrs and a dozen moab trips. that's pretty good in my opinion

 

[krany]

Wow, did you kick him in the crotch after?! A good spotter will try to get you through things using as little throttle as possible in most cases, although there are some exceptions to this. I have met a few guys that I trust to help me get through anything, none of which said to use the skinny pedal to bump it hard.

didnt get a chance too, he bailed when he saw it break....he is on this forum i think but wont name names....

 

[gertsch]

Just spot weld ur caps in place I'll never brake a shaft again! Or at least that's what was claimed.

 

[N-Smooth]

are you referring to my post? i would never say that.

 

[cuban b]

Why blame spotters? I drive for myself.