EvanM

I have a few dana 30 axles not sure years.

The one I am running is a non cad I currently have knuckles on it with bolt on caliper brackets. I currently have it tore down doing gears.
would it be beneficial to swap to the knuckkes with the built in caliper brackets.
why im wondering is im thinking about doing new calipers while I have it apart. Is there any difference in calipers.

am I thinking to much on this.?

Doing some research. Looks like the difference is 84-89 90-2001?

I think the one with built brackets is 1990 +

Thanks for the responses.

caged

my 90 axle with CAD had solid mount knuckles. i swapped that out to my 89 non disco axle from my limited. my calipers wouldn't bolt up, so i swapped out my knuckles, put my 90 knuckles on the 89 axle, so i can still use my 90 calipers. does that make sense?

(i hope i remembered that correctly. it's been 15 years now).

4.3L XJ

As far as I know, the XJ brackets all had cast in caliper brackets. Post us up some pics of what you have

Jim Malcolm

With the earlier, bolt-on bracket knuckles, you can buy kits, or piece it together yourself, with larger diameter rotors and multi-piston calipers. With the newer, single piece knuckles, you have one option: stock. Another advantage of the earlier models, for the OEM unit bearings at least, tapered roller bearings were used and they can be disassembled and rebuilt, unlike the newer models. It appears that all of the aftermarket parts are made with the newer, non-servicable design so it's that's probably a moot point. The disadvantage of the earlier knuckles is their usage of an adjustment sleeve for one of the ball joints that adds another step or three to the replacement process.

4.3L XJ

Educate me on which ones had the bolt on caliper bracket. I have never seen one, but if I could find one I can think of some uses for it

EvanM

I dont what year these are. I think the axle anchored in the jeep is a 92

Maybe a 89 knuckle


So I should stay with my current knuckles with bolt on brackets?


I did do ball joints have thought I noticed alitt camber with top of tires leaning in. However I thought this was just my eye as I don't always notice it. Hmm

I just put the sleeves in and never adjusted.


Who has these brake kits with multi piston calipers or what vehicles do the come off of?

4.3L XJ

I have seen those ears on my own. But those are not for the calipers. That is the original style caliper. Brackets for the caliper would be much heavier and the caliper would be a different style, such as with the WJ

Jim Malcolm

84-89 XJs and YJs

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...model/cherokee

The general consensus I've seen is that unless your realistically going to implement a big brake setup, you're better off sticking with the later model, single-piece knuckles. While you obviously can still buy parts for the early model axles, the selection in parts (pads, rotors, etc) is greatly reduced compared to the later models. "better support" is how most would put it; Crown makes a replacement knuckle for the later models for example... On a side note, Vanco does make a knuckle for the later models that facilitates larger brakes; certainly not cheap but neither is that Wilwood kit, and then of course there is the WJ upgrade.

EvanM

Thanks for the info on this.

Still unsure what stuff to order. So I just left it as is.