D30 year range ID

[Herc]

Truck is a 1986 Jeep Comanche with D30 front axle 3:55 open carrier, no clue as to what year it is from. Non CAD axle standard thin D30 shafts with the smaller u-joints.

 

I have replaced 2 pass (yeah 2, but both pass side?) and 1 driver front wheel hub assemblies in the last year as well as now a set of u-joints. This is my daily driver, wheeled once last year in Ardbeg Northern Ontario.

 

Is there a difference in the wheel bearing/hub assemblies over the D30 non-CAD time span? If so what is the year change and how would the axle be identified if there are any markings?

 

Any thought, ideas or suggestions all welcome!!

[Jeep Driver]

Next Image

 

Flange diameter=5.6850"; Wheel PIO diameter=2.8150"; Number of splines=27EA; Inside diameter=1.1780"; Hub PIO diameter=3.9450"; Flange offset=1.8150"; Brake PIO diameter=2.8350"; Bolt hole size=.402(3)"; Bolt circle diameter B=4.7500"; Bolt circle diameter A=4.5000IN

As a supplier of original equipment hub units to most of the world’s leading automakers, SKF knows better than anyone what goes into making a premium quality hub unit. From the composition of the steel to the quality of the bearing and seals, every aspect of a hub unit is critical to long service life. Imprecise tolerances and poor surface finishing can cause noise and vibration, and low quality reproduction sensors can compromise ABS function.

 

Life expectancy of 100,000+ miles

OE sensors assure correct ABS functions

Premium seals, both inboard and outboard, protect the bearing

Precision bearing preload and correct application of advanced manufacturing techniques such as orbital rolling

100% tested to the actual OE specifications per part number for fit, form and function

High quality steel and surface finishes

Proper implementation of heat treatment

Precise assembly tolerances

 

Tech Tip

 

SKF Warranty Information

12 months

Alternate/OEM Part Number(s): 4723371, 5252725, 53000228, 53000234

[Jeep Driver]

What did you replace yours with?

 

It's usually a matter of quality.

 

Not cheap, Rockauto lists at $102 for SKF.

[Comanche County]

When you say "Hub Assembly" I'm guessing you mean the Unit Bearings.

 

The break was at 99' for a slightly different version. http://gojeep.willyshotrod.com/HowtoHubReplacement.htm

 

If your D30 is non cad with small u joints (260s), it should be a pre 96' XJ axle as long as its HP. In 97', Jeep started using the larger 297 joints.

[Herc]

Well in typical Jeep tradition, my unit bearings are the late 80's as the 90-99 one is not correct for my axle. They will both bolt on but the brake rotors do not fit over the 90-99 version. First one was a cheapy, wised up and spent the extra dough on the better one....... guess not so much better after all. Maybe it was a def unit? Taking it back in for warranty, we shall see. Thanks for the input folks! :wrench:

[Eagle]

This should sum it up. The following is from the manuscript of a book I started a few years ago. This material is copyrighted -- by me -- and by posting it here I am NOT releasing it into the public domain. Please respect my copyright by NOT copying this and distributing it in any way. (If you wish to print one copy to stick in your toolbox, that's okay.)

 

Front Axle Interchange

 

Axle assemblies are completely interchangeable between Cherokee and Comanche vehicles regardless of the year of the vehicle or axle. However, there were variations in steering knuckles, hub/bearing assemblies, rotors and calipers that make it important to know what year vehicle an axle assembly comes from, and to be certain to order replacement parts for the correct axle. It is also important not to mix parts from different year axle assemblies, or the calipers and rotors may not line up properly, adversely affecting brake function.

 

An additional concern is that Cherokees from 1984 through 1986 with the optional Selec-Trac transfer case were also equipped with constant velocity (CV) joints between the inner and outer axle shafts. The CV joints are not as strong as the u-joints used in all other Cherokee and Comanche front axles, and are both more expensive and more difficult to service. Fortunately, the CV axles can be directly replaced with standard u-joint axles from any other year Cherokee (or, for that matter, from any year TJ Wrangler or ZJ Grand Cherokee).

 

Steering knuckles: There are two designs of steering knuckle, and within each design the left and right sides are mirror image and carry different part numbers. The early knuckles were used from 1984 through 1989. The late knuckles were used from 1990 through 2001.

 

Hub/Bearing: Three different hub/bearing assemblies were used. The hub/bearing assembly is the same for both sides of the vehicle. The first type was used from 1984 through 1989, and must be mated to the early steering knuckle from the same range of years. The early hub/rotors used tapered roller bearings, which are available as individual replacement parts, and in theory can be rebuilt. In practice, removing the old bearings and installing new ones requires a large arbor press and bearing splitter, equipment not available to the average owner. In practice, even dealerships simply replace the entire assembly, because the labor cost to rebuild would exceed the cost of a replacement assembly.

 

The second type of hub/bearing assembly was used from 1990 through mid-1999. This hub/bearing assembly mates up with the newer style steering knuckle and is used with composite rotors. Certain years of XJ with composite rotors were subject to a safety recall if they were located in northern “rust belt” states, because of problems with the rotors (see below). When replacing hub/bearings in vehicles within this range of years, unless the vehicle recall history is known it is wise to call a dealer or DaimlerChrysler customer service to determine whether or not the vehicle has undergone the brake rotor recall. If so, confirm which hub/bearing assemblies should be used as service replacements..

 

The third type of hub/bearing assembly was used from mid-1999 through 2001. This hub/bearing is also used with the new style steering knuckles, and is mated with the newer style cast rotors.

 

Rotors: Three types of rotors were used. Rotors are the same for left and right sides. The first style of rotor was used from 1984 through 1989. The second style of rotor was used from 1990 through mid-1999. This second style rotor was a “composite” design—the braking surface disc was separate from the center “hat” section, which was stamped from comparatively thin sheet steel. After several years of service, it was found that in states and localities where salt is used on the roads in winter, corrosion of the “hat” section could result in the disc portion separating from the assembly, causing a loss of brakes. A factory recall was issued to correct this problem. The recall affects only vehicles within a range of years, and only in certain states. Anyone owning a Cherokee or Comanche in the range from 1990 through 1999 is advised to call a dealer or DaimlerChrysler customer service with the VIN number to determine if the vehicle is subject to this recall.

 

Mid-year in the 1999 model year the front brakes were changed to an all cast rotor design. Although the original, early style rotors were also all cast, the new rotors are different from the early ones and carry a different part number. The new cast rotors were used from mid-1999 through 2001. Because 1999 was a transition year, owners of 1999 Cherokees will need the VIN number to determine the correct parts to order when servicing the front brakes or hub/bearing assemblies.

 

Calipers: Two styles of caliper were used. The calipers are mirror image for the left and right sides and carry different part numbers within each group of years. The early style caliper was used from 1984 through 1989. The later style caliper was used from 1990 through 2001 and is used with both the composite rotors and the newer cast rotors.

 

As previously noted, a complete front axle assembly from any year Cherokee or Comanche can be installed in a Cherokee or Comanche of any other year. It is only when attempting to swap components among different years that the above parts differences become critical.

[Comanche County]

See if you can find the axle's BOM number, then you'll know exactly what it needs with Eagle's info.

 

You can find the BOM on the Dana site: http://www2.dana.com/expertforms/deabill.aspx

or here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_li ... mbers.html

[Herc]

That would certainly help explain my axles conglomeration of parts!! Thank you sir and duly noted.