Yukon Gear Replacement Standard Open Carrier Case For Dana 30 / 3.73+ /Bare

A cracked Dana 30 case, a cross pin bore that has egged out, or ring gear bolt threads pulled from the flange will stop a Jeep front axle cold. Yukon YC D706008-X is a new bare standard open carrier case for Dana 30 axles with 3.73 and numerically higher gear ratios, the version that fits most Cherokee XJ, Wrangler YJ and TJ, Grand Cherokee ZJ and CJ front axles that have been regeared or came from the factory with deeper gears. Bare means the case ships empty: you supply the spider gears, side gears and carrier bearings.

What the carrier case does in a Dana 30

The ring gear bolts to the flange on this case, and the carrier bearings press onto its two journals so the whole assembly spins in the housing. Inside, the cross pin passes through the case and carries two spider gears that mesh with the side gears splined to the axle shafts. That lets the left and right wheels turn at different speeds through a corner. Dana 30 cases come in two series split at the gear ratio: deeper ratios use a thicker ring gear that sits on a different flange position, so a 3.73-and-up case will not take a 3.54 or lower ratio gear set, and the reverse is also true.

Symptoms that point to the case

• Spider gears that keep failing because the cross pin wallowed out its bore in the case
• A loose or broken roll pin that let the cross pin walk out and hit the pinion
• Stripped ring gear bolt threads or a ring gear that came loose from the flange
• A carrier bearing that spun on its journal, leaving the journal scored or undersized
• Cracks in the case after a hard hit in 4WD with lockers or tall tires
• Clunking on and off throttle or when engaging 4WD, with metal chunks on the drain plug

How to confirm before buying

Drain the axle, pull the cover and turn the carrier by hand. Look at the cross pin, its bore and the roll pin, then pull the carrier and inspect the bearing journals and ring gear bolt holes. If the case is clean and only the spider gears are chipped, a spider gear kit is the cheaper fix. Read the ratio from the axle tag or count the ring and pinion teeth, because this case only works with 3.73 and up. Our Dana 30 front axle problems guide covers the other wear points, and the carrier break explainer shows how the ratio split works.

Fitment

Yukon lists this case for Dana 30 axles in the 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4WD, 1987-1995 Wrangler YJ, 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ, 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ front, 1986-1992 Comanche, CJ5 and CJ7 front axles from the 1970s and 1980s, Scrambler, Grand Wagoneer, 1980-1988 AMC Eagle, 1966-1971 Ford Bronco front, International Scout, and the rear Dana 30 under 1986-1989 Aerostar and many older Volvo 140 and 240 series cars. Yukon notes that 2007-2017 JK Wrangler spider gears do not fit this case; it needs the early Dana 30 spider gear set YPKD30-S-27. JK owners can also use the dedicated Yukon JK Dana 30 front carrier case. Because spline count, ratio and axle swaps vary, match your ratio and old case, or send us the year and VIN. More parts are in axle hard parts.

Install notes

• Load the case with the Yukon Dana 30 27-spline spider gear kit, which supplies side gears, spider gears, the cross pin and thrust washers.
• The case includes carrier shims, a roll pin, ring gear bolts and a cover gasket. You still need carrier bearings; the Yukon short pinion Dana 30 master overhaul kit covers carrier and pinion bearings, races and seals for TJ, XJ and YJ fronts.
• Use a Dana 30-80 housing spreader to set the carrier in without damaging the shims or bearings.
• Install ring gear bolts with thread locker, torque in a star pattern to the service manual value, then check runout, backlash and the contact pattern with marking compound.
• Refill with 75W-90 gear oil.

Does this case come with spider gears?

No. It is the bare case. It includes carrier shims, a roll pin, ring gear bolts and a cover gasket, but no spider gears, side gears or carrier bearings.

Will it work with my 3.55 or 3.54 gears?

No. This case is for 3.73 and numerically higher ratios only. Lower ratio Dana 30 gear sets use the other carrier series.

Can I use it in a JK Wrangler front axle?

Yukon says factory 2007-2017 JK spider gears do not fit this case. If you use it on a JK front, you also need the early Dana 30 spider gear set YPKD30-S-27. A JK-specific case is also available.

Which Jeeps does it fit?

Yukon lists the XJ Cherokee, YJ and TJ Wrangler, ZJ Grand Cherokee front, Comanche, CJ5, CJ7, Scrambler and Grand Wagoneer Dana 30, plus several Ford, International, AMC and Volvo applications.

Do I need to reset backlash after swapping the case?

Yes. A new case changes ring gear position and runout, so set backlash and carrier bearing preload with shims and check the gear pattern before closing the axle.

What gear oil does a Dana 30 take?

Use 75W-90 gear oil unless your service manual calls for something else. Add friction modifier only if you install a clutch-type limited slip.