Bad axle U-joints

[SFW516]

I have a 90 stock XJ and when I turn sometimes I fear a fast clicking noise until I straighten up. I was told this is because my front U-joints are bad. If this is the problem how long should I let this go before dealing with it? Can it become a major problem?

 

[Jamz527]

a question i could ask too at the same time is , if the u joint is bad could the cv style axel shaft from the grand cherokee be swapped in instead of changing out the u joint?

 

[blondejoncherokee]

why would you want to swap in a weaker component. ive seen the zj cv joint shafts at the junkyard, they dont look very strong compared to a 297 shaft. they are all the same price at picknpull and grab a 297 shaft while youre at it, with a hub for an extra 12$! thats what works for me.

 

[Jamz527]

I was talking a cv style axel merely for a daily driver with little or no trail use, if we were thinking strenght thats what d-44s and 60's are for

 

[veedubshafer]

well, I swapped 297 shafts into my ZJ d35 so I would say the opposite should be OK

 

[SFW516]

So has anybody had this problem with their XJ? Clicking sounds coming from the front?

 

[db10bo]

Yea it's prob the front u-joint and I would prob replace it soon as you really can...just so it doesn't come apart and screw something else up.

Good luck,
Dane

 

[johnnyc]

Anaheim? If you need help, let the SoCal Chapter know. I can give you a hand changing the u-joints.

 

[JeepCherokeeGuy99]

hey SFW when you brake and your bout 10 feet from stopping does it make a thud kinda noise. and when you accelerate does it do the same? if its the u-joint it pretty much sounds like that. You prob only hear it on one side though, if you hear it on both sides it could be something else. Wheel bearings could have gone. good luck!

 

[SFW516]

No I don't hear any thud noises when stopping. Just the clicking, and that mainly happens when I accelerate out of a turn.

And thanks for the offer to help out johnnyc I just might take you up on that. How involved is it? How much time would you estimate it takes?

 

[matttaylor1976]

i have the same noise, but only in 4 wheel drive. kinda odd, so i'll be checking ujoints this weekend. It comes from the front of the jeep, and makes no noise in 2wd, so i'm not too sure where to start....ideas?

sorry for the hijack, buti didnt want to start a new thread for something so similar

 

[johnnyc]

And thanks for the offer to help out johnnyc I just might take you up on that. How involved is it? How much time would you estimate it takes?

Maybe an hour. I'm pretty busy this weekend. But next weekend is good. Or any weeknight. Just get the new u-joints. I have all the tools.

 

[FlexdXJ]

well, I swapped 297 shafts into my ZJ d35 so I would say the opposite should be OK

Let me know how you put 297x shafts in a D35! :doh:

you mean the D30!