Spreads a Dana 30 through 80 axle housing so the carrier and ring gear lift out without prying, keeping the bearing bores and caps true during a rebuild.
One shop tool that covers a Jeep Wrangler Dana 30 front on Monday and a one-ton Dana 80 rear on Friday: that is the point of this cast steel housing spreader. Anyone regearing a Jeep, swapping in a locker, or replacing carrier bearings that have started to growl will hit the same wall on any Dana axle. The carrier is held in by shim preload, and prying it past the bearing bores is how housings and new bearings get damaged.
Every Dana Spicer housing in this range is a Salisbury design. Carrier bearing preload is not set with threaded adjusters like a GM 10-bolt or Ford 8.8. Instead, shims behind the side bearing cones make the carrier slightly wider than the opening, and the cast center section is stretched open to let it in. The spreader clamps across the opening, and its center screw opens the case a measured amount. Release it, and the case closes back on the shims to load the bearings. ARB's instructions describe this housing-spread method as the one the axle makers endorse, which is why most Dana cases have spreader holes cast in.
If you are not sure the noise is in the axle at all, our guide to telling transmission noise from differential noise is worth ten minutes before you tear anything apart.
Drain and inspect the gear oil, check the magnet, and pull the axles so you can spin the carrier and feel the bearings. The carrier bearing noise guide covers what rough bearings sound like compared to a worn gear set, and when one job turns into the other.
The listing covers Dana 27, 30, 44, 45, 50, 53, 60, 61, 70, 70U, 70HD and 80 series housings. The tool measures 18.11 in (46 cm) long by 14.8 in (37.7 cm) wide, is heavy-duty cast steel with a black finish, and weighs about 38 lb. That mass is why it does not flex at the screw when you open a big Dana 70 or 80 case. Smaller axles such as a Jeep JK or JL Dana 30 front can be spread right under the vehicle if you have clearance, but brackets, track bar mounts and steering parts get in the way on some housings, so test-fit before loading the screw. It is not meant for corporate axles; those set preload a different way. Find more pullers and drivers in our tool section.
Typical jobs this tool supports: a JK Dana 30 front master overhaul kit, a JL Dana 30 front overhaul kit, a 4.88 Dana 30 JK reverse gear set, or a Dana 80 master overhaul kit. Fill with 75W-90 gear oil or whatever your axle calls for, and add friction modifier for clutch-type limited slips.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The listing covers Dana 27, 30, 44, 45, 50, 53, 60, 61, 70, 70U, 70HD and 80 series housings. Check clearance around your cover flange and any suspension brackets before loading the screw.
Often, yes, if nothing blocks the tool. Track bar brackets, steering linkage and skid plates can get in the way on some housings, so test-fit first. A dial indicator across the opening is still required.
Yukon's instructions say never more than .015 in on a Dana Spicer housing, and ARB lists 0.02 in as an absolute general limit. Use only enough spread to move the carrier.
No. You should still need to tap it into place. If it drops in freely, the shims are too thin and carrier bearing preload will be low after you release the tool.
Those axles set preload a different way and generally do not need a spreader. This tool is for Dana Salisbury-style housings.
ARB advises against spreading aluminum housings unless the vehicle maker says to. Stick to cast iron Dana housings unless your service manual says otherwise.
