Yukon Gear Replacement Standard Open Spider Gear Kit For Dana 30 w/ 27 Spline Axles
A Jeep Cherokee XJ, Wrangler YJ or TJ, CJ or Grand Cherokee that pops and clunks from the front axle in tight 4WD turns, or that left a broken tooth on the diff cover magnet, is a classic case of worn spider gears in an open Dana 30. The Yukon Gear and Axle YPKD30-S-27 replaces the gear set inside the standard open Dana 30 carrier with 27-spline side gears, so you can fix the damaged gears and keep your existing carrier, ring and pinion and bearing setup.
The Dana 30 is the small front axle Jeep relied on for decades, with a 7.12-inch ring gear and 27-spline inner shafts. In the carrier, two side gears are splined to the inner axle shafts and two pinion (spider) gears ride on a cross shaft between them. Driving straight in 4WD, everything turns as one. In a turn the spider gears rotate on the cross shaft so the outer front tire can cover more ground than the inner one. Because the Dana 30 is often the axle that takes the shock when a front tire spins on rock, ice or mud and then catches, the spider gears and cross shaft see hard hits. Worn cross shafts let the gears float, and loose gears chip and crack.
The kit includes two side gears, two spider gears, the thrust washers, the cross shaft pin and the cross shaft pin bolt. It does not include gaskets or friction plates, as it is for open carriers only.
Drain the front gear oil and look at what comes out. Remove the cover and inspect every tooth on the four gears and the cross shaft for steps, pitting or blue heat marks. A noise that follows road speed in a straight line is more likely ring and pinion or carrier bearings. In that case a full rebuild with the Dana 30 front master bearing kit is the better fix. If you want more front traction rather than another open set, compare the Dana 30 27-spline front limited slip.
This is for a standard open Dana 30 carrier with 27-spline axles. Yukon's catalog lists the 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ, 1987-1995 Wrangler YJ, 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ (non-Rubicon), 1972-1986 CJ, 1986-1992 Comanche, 1993-2003 Grand Cherokee ZJ and WJ, 1984-1993 Grand Wagoneer, 1966-1971 Bronco, Scout 800, and later 2001-2010 Explorer and Mountaineer and 2001-2005 Ranger 4WD front applications. It also lists the 2018-2024 Wrangler JL Sport and Sahara Dana 30 front. Rubicon trims came with locking axles and do not use an open set. The 2007-2018 Wrangler JK and 2002-2007 Liberty KJ use different kits: the JK Dana 30 spider gear kit and the Liberty KJ Dana 30 spider gear kit. Count your axle splines and check the axle tag; if in doubt, send us the year and VIN. More gear kits are in our rebuild kits section.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YPKD30-S-27 |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Replacement Standard Open Spider Gear Kit For Dana 30 w/ 27 Spline Axles |
| Type | Differential Spider Gears |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Open 27-spline Dana 30 axles in the XJ Cherokee, YJ and non-Rubicon TJ Wrangler, CJ, Comanche, ZJ and WJ Grand Cherokee, plus other listed Dana 30 applications. The JK Wrangler and KJ Liberty use different kits.
Two side gears, two spider gears, thrust washers, the cross shaft pin and the cross shaft pin bolt.
No. Spider gears can be replaced with the carrier in the axle housing, so backlash and bearing preload are not disturbed. Only the axle shafts and cross shaft have to come out.
No. It is for standard open carriers only. Limited slip and locking units use their own internal parts.
Most Dana 30 spider gear failures come from wheel spin followed by sudden traction, larger tires, or running 4WD on high-grip pavement. A worn cross shaft lets the gears move and speeds up the damage.
A quality 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil for an open Dana 30 is typical. Check your owner's manual for the exact grade and capacity.
