So I am just messing around on my rock Pile and BAHM!
Large popping in front axle. Now I notice I have positive traction. Cool! I figure this can't be good.

Sure enough broken spider gears.

Why didn't you guys tell me 32'$ were too much for the stock Dana 30

What are my inexpensive options?

Is it worth fixing?

Thanks

 

Can I drive it in 2wd?

 

I don't really have experience with this, I'm sure it'll drive in 2wd just fine. Whenever I replace something, I always upgrade it if I have the money. You could just do the spider gears and call it quits. or you could regear to like 4.10 to better accomidate your tires I believe.

 

gee maybe now is a good time to drop in a lunchbox

 

Loser! LOL. Yea I know. But then I would have to eat my words.

 

With a lunchbox will this Dana 30 hold up? I am a bit concerned now.

 

on 32's? yeah. you can always upgrade to 297 shafts and put some spicer u-joints in them

 

X2

 

since you will already have to pull the carrier to replace the spider gears anyway, might as well put a cheap lunchbox locker in there.

 

No

driving in 2wd will still spin the axle shafts, meaning the ring and pinion will also be moving. so if you have pieces of broken (or about to be broken) spiders moving around in there it can get caught up and cause a much more damaging issue.

 

If you're strapped for cash or time, you can drive it in 2wd...but you should put some time into it, or as mentioned ^, you can really hose it up. Or did you already? Have you looked over the ring and pinion...they might be chipped from the spider chunks floating around. The "best" thing to do to use 2wd is to pull the shafts out and use just outer shafts to hold the unit hubs together, stuff some rags in the axle tubes. might as well pop the cover, drain the fluid, fully asses the situation and plan the rebuild.

Put a lunchbox in there...you're playing in rocks, might as well have true 4x4

 

Thanks fellows. I took the cover off and cleaned it out. I know the rest of the teeth will eventually go.

Its like 240 for a lunchbox

70 for new spiders.

So I have to decide

I know why thy broke on me. Problem is I know if I just get the spiders I will break them again.

 

as said, i would not drive it.

 

I can get a detroit true trac for 100 bucks more than a lunchbox.

I watched a rig with 40"boggers running true tracs front and rear go where the fully locked rigs went. Actually he made it easier, probably line choice.

Any opinions? installation is no problem for me either.

Here is the true trac rig...

 

damn, ive beat dana 30s on 35s and didnt break the spiders...as said pull the cover, inspect ring and pinion, pull carrier replace broken parts and upgrade to 297 shafts. do not drive until fixed.