So I had my axles regeared to 5.13, did the break-in and changed the fluids at 500 miles, at 4000 after the install, this happened to the d30 front. I cant tell if the carrier cracked first, causing a spider gear to break in half completely, or if a tooth was chipped, that fell into the spider gears, causing one to break in half, and crack the carrier housing. Any input is appreciated

 

more pictures..
Can I drive around in 2wd with the carrier and front axle shafts removed?

 

Short answer is no. The axle shafts are required to hold the unit bearing (wheel bearing) together. Could split the shafts and just use the outer stub, but probably more work than its worth. Housing would not be sealed anymore either.

So need a carrier with spider gears to hold the inner end of the axle shaft. I would have concern for the bearings though as well, due to the damage, probably have metal shavings in the bearings.

 

Right now Im searching to find a d44, if I can get one around 2 grand I will do that instead, I already bought a new carrier, but still need a new ring gear, and all said and done it will be close to an $800 fix

 

Axles ARE NOT required to hold the unit bearing together. You can drive it with axles removed.

 

Interesting, this is what I thought, I will hopefully get a third opinion on this

 

I stand corrected. I was unaware that the JK unit bearings were capable of this. I was always thought unit bearing required the support of a axles shaft to prevent them from splitting, seen it happen first hand. Here is a link to a article referencing this information on how the JK bearing is different; Jeep Wrangler Unit Bearings: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You | DrivingLine

Learned something new.

 

You can drive around without shafts

 

Interesting. From the photos it looks like the spider gear might have gone first, cracked the carrier, and then the broken parts probably took out the teeth on the ring and pinion.

From what I can see the wear pattern on the ring and pinion doesn't look too bad, so it wasn't setup badly.

What were you doing when it went?

 

Interesting that it cracked right where the roll pin goes for the gross shaft. What brand carrier is it?