Dana 30 Axle Shaft/hubs

Yours should have the bronze bushing pressed into the inside of the spindle. Hard to notice unless you know it is there.
There will be a noticeable amount of play even with a new bushing.
Looks like the bearing was used on the D30.

 

I believe the 27 had a bronze bushing but the dana 30 does use a caged needle bearing inside the spindle.

 

25/27 bronze brass bearing D30 drum may use broze or brass but D30 Disk has caged needle bearings for sure. Use a press to press them in and push then in till they stop or they will ride on the axle shaft and it wont go together right. I used a socket of the same OD as the bearing.
https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/p1...eedle_bearing_fits_front_spindle_jeep_ch.html

 

All Dana 30s use caged bearings in the spindle.

 

There is going to be some vertical and lateral play. They aren't a super toleranced item and stub axle movement at the end of the spindle is common and fine, as the end of the axle is supported by the locking hub/drive flange.

The important thing is to inspect the stub axle bearing surfaces and the bearing for pitting and wear. The stubs can be cleaned up up to the most extreme damage. If the bearings fall apart or are simply too crusty to clean up, then the bearing will have to be replaced.

Insure the seal surfaces are clean and free from heavy grooving. Early CJ's run an outer seal, while later ones use a D30/44 bellows seal. both use an inner seal that requires the bearing to be pressed below the spindle face.

The fun part is removing the bearings. The shop I worked in had a three fingered driver made out of spring steel. You drove it into the spindle till the fingers snapped in behind the bearing, then drove the driver out taking the bearing with it. I have no idea where it came from and have looked for long years for a replacement with no luck.

Remember, these parts don't have to be perfect, as they are only used in four wheel drive, which for many, is fairly rare.

 

I have made one of those before by cutting some slots in electrical conduit and bending the remaining bits out a little bit. Worked well for my purpose.