D30 ARB copper line rerouting

[The_Ronster]

Today I finally got some feedback from ARB's tech support. A while back I had asked them about finding a fix for the copper lines which seem to get sucked into the ring gears during really cold weather here due to the thicker gear oil at extreme temps. Here is what I got back:

"Got some feedback from our engineering department on this. They agree with me that running the line vertically and not across the ring gear should solve the issue and is quite doable with the current bulkhead fitting design. Apparently the choice of location on most of the Dana diffs was really the result of the older 3 piece diffs and us wanting to avoid having to drill a second hole in a new location in the event an old ARB was being replaced with a new ARB. So, drill the hole on the same side as the seal housing and I expect the issue will be solved."

That being said, the D44 application shows the airline going around the ring gear much like the D30 does. I am going to attempt to try this install with the D44 when I get it in over the next month or two. If this works, it will fix 99% of the ARB problems that people up here face. More to come as soon as I get the D44 ready to go.

[naturalbornmudder]

something that would have been good to put in the directions about 10 or 20 actuators ago...

[Dr Brian]

That is exactly the same advice I got last year in Moab when grilling different manufacturers about locker setups. One builder specifically never crosses back across the ring gear even with the Dana 44.

[The_Ronster]

This along with the HD airline should make the ARB shine.

The guy also said that they (ARB) are sending testing teams to the north and south pole this winter. Basically they want to make sure that their products work in all environments :2thumbs:

[The_Ronster]

routing to just above the actuator is a lot easier and will eliminate all of the copper airline problems once they are installed :2thumbs:

[The Bronze]

You wish. I'm still building the ARB repair kit for you guys.

[99TJ]

That would be great for a Dana 30 but with a LP D30 you can't do that because of the UCA mount being right where the line would come out. Only with a HP 30 can you bring the line out the same side as the acuator

[The_Ronster]

Not true, there isnt anything say where on diff it can come out. All you need is a portion of the diff that allows you to drill through it, to include the 10 and 11 oclock position.

[99TJ]

I personally didn't like the top portion of the diff, was to close to my ring gear for my own liking. I took mine out all the way at like the 2 o'clock position.

[The_Ronster]

Here is a quick picture of where I rerouted the D30 Copper airline. I know it looks like the copper line is touching the bearing caps, but thats an illusion.
http://www.frozenaxles.com/gallery/data/504/medium/D30.JPG

If you look close you can see the plug on top of the diff on the other side of the ring gear. That is where the directions show to put it which caused it to suck into the ring gear during cold temps.

It did take a bit of time to figure out where to put it. Its in a thick part of the diff and its pretty much the only place to put it on that side. After drilling and tapping the hole, I filed down the inside edges just in case the copper airline moved and touched the side, I didnt want it to rub a hole.

The D44 which I didnt get a picture of had a lot more room to play with. Neither will be capable of touching the bearing caps or the ring gear regardless of how thick the gear oil gets.

I am going to take some 1/4" plate and weld to the top of the diff for protection to the fitting and line as well, this should make it bulletproof :2thumbs: