Johnny Joint conversion on front Dana 30

[Macgyver]

Seeing how my passenger side Dana 30 upper bracket cracked, I decided to upgrade my upper mounts to the Currie JJ mounts. The passenger side should be easy, cut off the broken mounts, weld in the new one.........

How the heck are you guys doing the driver side mount on the diff? I assume that Mr. Blaine has a cool way to press out the old stock bushing and install the new JJ on the Jeep, or do I need to pull the axle? That side is okay for now, so maybe I'll just let the drivers side go for now.

The kit was a little pricey for the parts, But it included the right side mount and the JJ for the left side. It should solve any future cracking issues and lessen any stress that may have been on the arms. I'll post pictures when I finish! I also ordered my spare Currie upper tie rod end too just in case. (I've seen 2 pop apart) Can never have enough spare parts.

Thanks! Once I get this fixed, and finish my new oil pan skid, I'll be ready for the rest of the fall and winter wheeling

[Mark Hinkley]

You can use a ball joint press to r and r the bushing.


mark
orgs mfg

[Macgyver]

Originally posted by Mark Hinkley
You can use a ball joint press to r and r the bushing.


mark
orgs mfg

Thanks Mark.....

I'll have to borrow one of those ball joint tools from someone. One of the few tools I don't own! Never done ball joints before.

[Jim M]

You should think about buying one. They can be had pretty cheaply from Harbor Freight and work great for u-joints. They're a little on the heavy side for trail use, but at home they ae indispensible as a little press. I use mine for almost everything but ball joints.

[Macgyver]

Originally posted by Jim M
You should think about buying one. They can be had pretty cheaply from Harbor Freight and work great for u-joints. They're a little on the heavy side for trail use, but at home they ae indispensible as a little press. I use mine for almost everything but ball joints.

I guess I'll have to go looking this weekend. I use Harbor Freight for some tools, maybe I'll go check that out. On tools like a ball joint press I try to stick with nicer tools that will last a lifetime. Is their tool good enough for that JJ bushing?

[mrblaine]

Originally posted by Macgyver
I guess I'll have to go looking this weekend. I use Harbor Freight for some tools, maybe I'll go check that out. On tools like a ball joint press I try to stick with nicer tools that will last a lifetime. Is their tool good enough for that JJ bushing?

If you are using the kit from Currie that converts the stock bushing to a Johnny Joint, I am pretty sure it comes with an installation tool. 98 percent certain.

[Macgyver]

Originally posted by mrblaine
If you are using the kit from Currie that converts the stock bushing to a Johnny Joint, I am pretty sure it comes with an installation tool. 98 percent certain.

I ordered the kit from Currie. Mainly to fix the passenger upper mount, but the mount on the diff could use a new bushing too! A tool from Currie, would help justify the price a little more to my wife!

They are shipping on Wedensday, so I should see the kit on Thursday. I'll let you know if it has the install tool in there.

[papromike]

Blaine is correct the Currie kit come with a tool for the bushing on the pumpkin.


FWIW.. harbor freight has the 3-in 1 tools right now for $29.99 on sale...

they are handy to have

[Rockjeep]

Hey you know I just bought that install from harbor fright. Its in the truck. Looks like that fabtech kit has so much flex its twisting the old brackets off.
Kory

[Macgyver]

Originally posted by Rockjeep
Hey you know I just bought that install from harbor fright. Its in the truck. Looks like that fabtech kit has so much flex its twisting the old brackets off.
Kory

Or my brackets are tired from 5 different lifts kits, 7 years of wheeling, that Skyjacker cradle I had before, or any number of other things! Or maybe Jeep should have used thicker metal in the first place

[Robert J. Yates]

That Harbor Freight tool sux for ball joints but it will work for removing the stock bushing and installing the Currie joint. You'll like this conversion kit Quinn - do both sides and then sit back and enjoy.

[papromike]

unless you have the handy dandy angled cup.......

[Robert J. Yates]

....it still sux. I had the angled sleeve. The c-clamp forging is crap and spreads, particularly if the ball joints are rusted in and need some grunt to pop them out.

[papromike]

robert, you're just too strong for your own good..

macho, macho man..


btw, I bent mine also... but they replaced it for free.... I figure I dont change ball joints all that often so ittl work in a pinch..

[Robert J. Yates]

I'd love to think it was my Hercules strength from all those years in the gym but in reality, it was the 2' breaker bar that was attached to the socket

[papromike]

I actually bent the threaded rod portion of mine..

I am not quite as "fuerte" as you... I only had a torque wrench...set on about 250...


How do you like the johnny joint conversion?, did it free up a little bind in the frontend?

unfortunately until I finish my WJ conversion on my ZJ, my ball joints are the limiting factor (read NOT GOOD)...