Dana 30 with rusty sludge??

[65reissue]

Hey guys...i was going to change out the gear oil in my front axle yesterday and when I got the cover off, it looks like a mess in there. Please take a look at the pictures below...there was surface rust...alot will scrape off but some need to be treated with something I think...also, the gear oil that came out was mixed with what I assume is rusty mud? It was like sludge. I ran my hand in and just pulled a bunch out. I haven't had the jeep all that long and have just started going through things. Have the gas tank out and charged the gear oil in the rear...so moved ot the front and have run into this. For all I know this is the first time its ever been changed! Still had what appears to be an original looking gasket. So...at this point, is there anything I need to look for? Any suggestions for cleaning it all up and dissolving some of that rust? Also...do you guys know of anything that will release that old gasket material? Scraping isn't getting it...its on there good and is just tearing off little (very little) by little. Thanks guys.

 

[coldair]

From what I can see looks good. I don't think I've ever pulled a diff cover off an older vehicle and not seen a little rust in the front diff. I would flush the rest of the old oil out with some brake cleaner let dry refill.

 

[Torxhead]

From what I see, are some pits on the gears plus a bit of wear and the oil looks like it got mixed with a bit of water from a few stream crossings. Follow Coldair's advice for cleaning and find something else on it that has'nt been maintained well. Sometimes guys will put a magnetic fill plug in to help collect metal shavings.

 

[tarry99]

Hey guys...i was going to change out the gear oil in my front axle yesterday and when I got the cover off, it looks like a mess in there. Please take a look at the pictures below...there was surface rust...alot will scrape off but some need to be treated with something I think...also, the gear oil that came out was mixed with what I assume is rusty mud? It was like sludge. I ran my hand in and just pulled a bunch out. I haven't had the jeep all that long and have just started going through things. Have the gas tank out and charged the gear oil in the rear...so moved ot the front and have run into this. For all I know this is the first time its ever been changed! Still had what appears to be an original looking gasket. So...at this point, is there anything I need to look for? Any suggestions for cleaning it all up and dissolving some of that rust? Also...do you guys know of anything that will release that old gasket material? Scraping isn't getting it...its on there good and is just tearing off little (very little) by little. Thanks guys.

As others have mentioned that's water in the gear lube............if your vent is just attached to the housing it needs to be extended up with a hose to a point where water cannot get into the gear case..........could have also been the seals at the end of the axle housing where the u-joints are.......water can seep in there also.

 

[Sasquach]

I would be more worried about the bearings than the gears. As said clean it up and flush well then turn it over by hand and see if everything turns smoothly with no ratchety type feel hopefully, if it turns and bearings roll good I would run it but take a look again later.

 

[gert]

I agree with all the above, get a couple cans of brake cleaner spray til your hearts content, go to the pats store and get a razor blade scraper that will kill the gasket to me it looks as if it has sat for awhile with some water in it

 

[65reissue]

Thank you guys alot...when I first got the cover off I thought I had a major problem on my hand (literally as I pulled gunk out of the bottom of the case). I will clean it all up and make sure everything is moving good and put it back together...then check it again. I appreciate your help and comments...I feel better about my situation now. thanks again....

 

[Old Dog]

If I were you I'd also change the axle seals while you have it apart as thats what is likely letting the water in.

 

[65reissue]

Can you give me some insight into whats involved with changing seals? What do i need...and how do i need to do it? Thanks!

 

[Old Dog]

The seals are in the axle tube just in from the carrier bearings.
You have to take the axles out and pull the carrier to get to them.
I used a 2' extension with a 1 1/8 socket to knock them out, and a 3" long piece of 2" tube to drive them in.
They do make tools to do this but I'm cheep sometimes.

 

[65reissue]

Thanks...i will dig into a little deeper. I may try to get it cleaned up for nowadays so i can drive it a while...been out of commission too long. Then ill tear into it.