Solid axle conversion dana 30 help!

[Warthog]

Hello my peoples! Doin the cad delete or solid axle conversion. Does the passenger side seal go in the tube or where the rubber that looks like it squeezed out of the tube mating area? Watched several videos as well as tried to research it but it’s always just glossed over or not shown. I’m sure this may seem like a dumbass question but these are my first jeep builds and first ever build of this type. Do you trim off the rubber? Any help would rock

[ghetdjc320]

No need to trim that sealant. It fits inside the tube itself though it’s not a great fit as that surface was never machined to fit a seal. If you have a few more days to take another approach, get a seals-it inner axle tube seal. Far easier to install and much less likely to leak. 
 

These, just find the right size od and id:

https://sealsit.com/product/economy-axle-seal/

[zomeizter]

ghetdj is absolutely right about the not a great fit of the seal in the tube, but there is a nifty tool out there that helps getting this sucker installed. I got it after hours of fighting the seal installation and a plethora of cuz words and tools flinging. Hopefully you are upgrading the shafts with some moly ones while you're in there??

[PIKE]

I switched to a one piece passenger side axle a year ago. This is the seal I used.

SKF 11800

You will need to remove the differential to install it. Its a pain, the hardest part of the whole deal. Some people press two seals in there.

 

This is the drivers side seal, might as well replace that while your in there.

SKF Seal 11899

 

I used 1997 Grand Cherokee ZJ CV axles when I did mine. You can get them for around $50 a side. So far so good.

 

Like Zomeizter said there is a tool to press them in.

https://bullboostperformance.com/collections/auto-part-tools/products/inner-axle-side-seal-installation-tool-for-dana-30-44-60-axles-front-differentials

[schardein]

12 minutes ago, PIKE said:

 

Like Zomeizter said there is a tool to press them in.

https://bullboostperformance.com/collections/auto-part-tools/products/inner-axle-side-seal-installation-tool-for-dana-30-44-60-axles-front-differentials

If I could hijack this thread for a second, have you used that tool?  Does it work?

I bought a similar one off amazon and it was garbage.  Had to modify it to even get it to sort of work.

[PIKE]

The one I used was bought from amazon too. Must be a hundred choices. I do remember it being a pain to get the seals in.

I used a socket that fit the seal and a hammer too.

If someone has a sure fire easy way to replace them please post.

[zomeizter]

Indeed I got the seal tool from amazon and from my memory it made the install a breeze, keep in mind that when I did this, I had the diff housing almost bare with the exception of the pinion. I installed moly shafts, lunch box locker, inner seals, outer greaseable tube seals, and ball joints in one shot...

[ghetdjc320]

Guys, cry once and get that seals-it seal. No special tools and a far better seal. 

[zomeizter]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:24 PM, ghetdjc320 said:

Guys, cry once and get that seals-it seal. No special tools and a far better seal. 

Once I bring the XJ home from the Bermuda Triangle, I will try these seals you recommend when I tear into the D30...