I have a 97 Wrangler. The front pass. u-joint has gone bad. Not a driveshaft u-joint. I don't have the book on it yet, but just wanted to ask this now. I would think that the axle has to be removed so I can press the joint out. To remove the axle isn't it just a clip or nut/bolt in the diff, drop the spindle, caliper, and steering link? Do I have to pull the hub from the u-joint or can I just press the u-joint off? If not, I will pull the hub off 1st of course. Just wanted to see what I am getting into before getting into it. Thanks for any info.

 

Most 4x4 fronts, non IFS typs, are the same. You will need to take off the caliper, rotor, hub and spindle. The spindle is what contains the axle in the housing. You don't need to open the diff in the front to remove the axle, only in the rear where you should have c-clips retaining the axles.

 

On many jeeps, once you have the caliper, and rotor off, remove the drive axle nut. Look on the back side of the spindle assembly. Should be 3 15mm 12 point bolts that hold the hub assembly to the spindle. If you remove the hub assembly, you should then be able to slide the axle out though the hole without having to take the spindle off. On jeeps with cv axles, it'll work also, but you have to be a little more careful of the large boot band, and not damaging it or the boot.. Saves TONS of time this way....

 

I agree with MSA.

 

yes, msargent is correct, knuckle stays ON the axle housing, shaft slides out through it. if you are having trouble getting the bearing off, like you feel it is starting to come apart, caused by major rust on it's inside holding it to the knuckle, put the large axle nut back on and take the bearing out with the axle on it(holding it together), then separate it on the floor, you might have to put the 12 point bolts partially in and hammer on them to separate the bearing. also one thing i do, is only jack up one side at a time, it will prevent the whole axle tube from filling up with gear lube and dripping out for the next two weeks (you DON'T want to do inner axle seals!!), make sure the seal surface is clean on the axle shaft and try to guide it above all the sand in the tube


ps. what ever happened with the 3.0L with the overheating?

 

Mike:

What part of NJ? My sister lives there. (Up north off of Route 78).

 

joe up north of 78 is the sixth borough of new york city, no difference in people's driving stlyes and as much traffic. if you've ever driven to englishtown(road), you were within 1/4 mile of me and i can hear almost everything that goes on there, central nj, or more proper, exit 123 or 8A as 'we' like to say it!