Front axle U-joint replacement

[Mikel]

Hello,
One of the U-joints in the front axle is starting to get noisy and will need to be replaced. Will I need any exotic tools to pull the hub (such as large sockets). Is there an easy way to replace the bearings, or should I leave them there?
Thanks,
Mikel (95 XJ 4.0 5sp)

 

[MudslinginXJ]

You'll need some needle nose pliers for the cottter pin, a 36mm socket to get the nut off, and to get the bearing(hub assembly) out. IIRC you'll need a 12 mm 12 point to get the hub bolts out. Also my brake calipers were held on with some big allen screws, so you may need some allen wrenches or there might take a regular socket. Other than that a big hammer to get the u joints out, not sure if they make a special tool for it, i always did it with the hammer method.

Also if your replacing 1 u-joint you should just replace the other one while your at it to save you headaches later on down the road.

 

[katarn444]

You do not have to take off the hub bolt if you do not want to. The only thing that does for you is keep you from carrying around the whole drive assembly, hub, stub, u-joint, axle shaft.

Katarn

 

[wheelin4cheap]

You'll need some needle nose pliers for the cottter pin, a 36mm socket to get the nut off, and to get the bearing(hub assembly) out. IIRC you'll need a 12 mm 12 point to get the hub bolts out. Also my brake calipers were held on with some big allen screws, so you may need some allen wrenches or there might take a regular socket. Other than that a big hammer to get the u joints out, not sure if they make a special tool for it, i always did it with the hammer method.

Also if your replacing 1 u-joint you should just replace the other one while your at it to save you headaches later on down the road.

It is actually a 13mm 12 point for the hub bolts.

You do not have to take off the hub bolt if you do not want to. The only thing that does for you is keep you from carrying around the whole drive assembly, hub, stub, u-joint, axle shaft.

This is true, however if the hub is fairly stubborn, it may be very difficult to remove without the hub bolt off. A really big hammer might work, but it is a lot easier and less abusive if you remove the hub bolt and then use a puller to get the hub off. (Another option is to thread 13mm bolts out a few turns and then hammer on them, with the 13mm socket still on the bolt.) The best way is with a puller though.

"Exotic tools" needed = 13mm 12 point, 36mm socket (I use a 1 7/16"), puller.

 

[MudslinginXJ]

It is actually a 13mm 12 point for the hub bolts.

Yea, I always get that mixed up. I didnt have a 13mm 12 point so i go up to sears to buy one, end up picking up the 12mm 12 point. Thanks for the correction, it is indeed a 13mm 12 point.

 

[jeepsrock]

Is there anyway those wheel ujoints can be replaced without removing the hubs ? I dont remeber. I am guessing not.

Pete

 

[Sting25]

I just did this on my '95 last week took 2 hours. Leave the hub together and pull the whole assebly.

http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/axle/ujoint/


Good luck!

 

[Ben H]

Thanks again MADXJ for all of your write ups.
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/TECHNICAL.htm

 

[katarn444]

Thanks again MADXJ for all of your write ups.
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/TECHNICAL.htm

I guess you mean this one?
http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/technicalfiles/ARD30shafts297andSeals/D30shafts297andSeals.htm

This is true, however if the hub is fairly stubborn, it may be very difficult to remove without the hub bolt off. A really big hammer might work, but it is a lot easier and less abusive if you remove the hub bolt and then use a puller to get the hub off. (Another option is to thread 13mm bolts out a few turns and then hammer on them, with the 13mm socket still on the bolt.) The best way is with a puller though.

I sacraficed one of the three 13mm bolts, swapped it between the the three holes and just pounded off the whole assembly. I had a spare bolt to replace the one that I mushroomed. I never even took the rotor off until it fell off from all the pounding.

So if you have a 13mm 12point then that is all you really need. It might be alittle tougher but it will be cheaper, also you do not have to go out to find a 36mm or a puller. Either way will work just fine.

Lube the hell out of all surfaces when you put it back together incase you ever have to do this job again.

Katarn

 

[Mikel]

Thank you ALL. Looks pretty straightforward.

 

[jeepsrock]

All of the ujoints i have replaced on my xj in the past i have been replaced with 5-153x spicer greasable joints (front+ rear dshafts). My question is what joints are needed for the front wheel joints, i dont think they are the same bc of the clip system ?

Pete