Axle Swap...

[Tenny]

In Tracy, CA

So I am planning on doing an Axle Swap next weekend (start on Friday, June 13th, 2008). The axles are the same (D30, 8.25) but the new ones are locked and re-geared. Anyways, unfortunately my dad who was going to help me will not be there, his club is in the Livermore parade, and they are doing a BBQ after. Then add the fact that his neighbor might be going out of town, so I will not have access to a welder either, don't plan on needing one anyways..

So, onto the point of this post... does anyone have any advice on things to look for, or parts that need to be replaced while I am at it, or secrets on how to do any particular part of it easier? A friend helped me put the lift on (RE 3.5) so I have a basic idea of what I am doing, but I am by no means advanced at it. I do have air-tools there though, and I will be doing it in a garage, so at least it'll be out of the sun.

Might as well throw this out there aswell, if anyone is interested in helping (From just standing there pointing at things to do, all the way to wrenching with me are welcome), I will have plenty of beer available. (Just wanted to throw that out there incase anyone's around there or what not.)

Thanks guys,
Drew

 

[NoCoastFocus]

I would replace the ball joints while you are at it. Otherwise, throw them in and you will be fine.

 

[Starboard M]

U bolts
Brake fluid
Diff fluid, or check to make sure you dont need to refill/top off
Do the axles need new brakes?

Rear axle: Take off U bolts, sway bar if you have it still, E brake cables, drive shaft, and brake line. Pull axle out, and put new one back in. Put things back together.

Front. Track bar, steering, shocks, control arms, brake lines, driveshaft, and anything else thats attached. Pull axle, and put new one back in.

 

[jpcherokeekid]

take your time and dont rush. i would get an extra set of u bolts before you start especially if the ones you have now are even close to being quesitonable(stripped threads, rusty, wrong lenght?) the first time i put in new springs on mine the u bolts were too short and they were stripped to begin with. almost had to miss work the next day because i couldnt find anyone open on a sunday, except pick and pull which had one xj(thankfully) that still had the u bolts i needed.

 

[Tenny]

Do the axles need new brakes?

I was told that the brakes aren't too bad of shape, but I am planning on retaining my old ones, as I did a full break job over the winter on mine (new rotors, new drums, etc).

I probably should get another pair of u-bolts, wasn't thinking about that. I am actually still running the original ones, so I don't have much extra thread on it.

The sad part is, within a few weeks I'll be back removing stuff so that I can do my SYE. I figure one at a time at this point though..

 

[Letterman]

If you are swapping the same axles, you do not need to swap the breaks, it can save you some time and you will not have to blead your breaks.

Get new U-bolts, and you will need gear oil, also break parts cleaner is always nice to keep everything cleen.

 

[Tenny]

Alright so I got new ubolts (RE 1225), Gear Oil (Redline 75w140 (since I don't really DD this... ), new u-joints (generic not spicer ). I would do the ball joints, but that looks a bit advanced for me. I will see if I could get my friend to do that cheaply for me...

Hopefully everything goes well.

 

[SharkXJ]

Tenny - I would love to help. Axel Swaps are fun but the wife and I are going to a Wedding in Monterey Friday Night and won't be back until Saturday Afternoon.

To mirrow what everyone is saying - take your time. once you complete it you will say "that wasn't so bad". Three years ago I installed my first lift and since then I have helped with about 15 Lifts and swapped about 8 sets of Axels It's fun stuff eh.....

Hope to see you next week at Deer Valley...

Mark

 

[Tenny]

Alright so I got the rear axle done, and the front axle is out, and one of the u-joints installed (axle u-joint), I would have done the other but it was dark out and I'm sure the neighbors weren't too happy I was still working... So tomorrow all I gotta do is put the stuff back together.

Mark - No problem with not being able to make it. I seem to be doing better than I thought I would... Thanks to the internet as a great resource guide. Would love to make it to Deer Valley, but as I said in the thread I (un)fortunately got tickets to the Savemart 350 (box suite etc) and will be attending that. I will be at the Bay Area Meet & Greet on Wed though.

 

[blondejoncherokee]

all new brake hard lines....

 

[Tenny]

Alright, might as well give an update.

Everything went pretty smoothly. Had a few minor issues.

Firstly, the bolt in the frame to the Upper Control Arm, I was unable to get out. I tried both 8point & 12 point sockets, and for whatever reason I couldn't get either side out, it started stripping right away. So I just decided not to worry about installing my adjustable yet... I only have 3.5" anyways...

Secondly, when I went to fill up the front, it has a Detroit Tru-Track. The 30 is supposed to hold 1.5 quarts (IIRC), but it was already over-filling just under 1qt. Not sure if that's because there is a locker in there, displacing more area thus less oil. Either way I drove it around the block, and heard a loud screeching sound mid way through. Brought it back, put the jeep on a slant, and filled it with more oil (maybe .25 qt more). Checked everything, and went out again and everything was fine, no noise. A few hours later took it out again, and again it made the screech sound once once, my dad thought it was the coils settling in, but neither of us know. Will drive it more tomorrow, and hopefully it goes away.... or I find it.