front drive shaft issues

[4x4nCherokee]

I lifted my '84 Cherokee awhile ago, but i never dropped the transfer case. I figured i'd hold out, and see how it did. Well my last wheelin trip, the front driveshaft started clicking real bad because of the increased angle. And i decided it was time to drop the T-case. I dropped it with no problem, but i got to looking at my CV joint coming off the transfer case, and it got torn up pretty badly. its an '84 so it has the true CV joint (coke can on a stick), not the double cardan. The rubber seal is all ripped up, and the metal edges are bent pretty badly. I've had a hard time finding these CV's b/c they were only offered for a few years, 84-88 i believe, and one that i was able to find at a salvage yard was in worse shape than mine. It would probably be alright if i could just get into it, and re-grease everything. But i dont know how to disassemble it. Also i have heard that the double cardan joints are better, so would it be better off just to switch to the DC joint, and if i did, what would that involve. I dont know if it would just bolt up, or if i would have to change out the slip yoke, or even the whole transfer case. Anyone else have similar issues, or have made the switch?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[XJ_ranger]

from what i understand - your best option is to upgrade to the Double Cardan front DS

you will need a new DS (or parts yard) and a new front output off a transfer case - the later model np231's (aka cherokee t-cases after 1988) all have the double cardan front output yoke that is 26 spline and *should* bolt onto your np207 without a problem...

 

[4x4nCherokee]

Sounds like a plan, i think i'll hit up the salvage yards here and see what they've got. Thanks

 

[XJ_ranger]

Sounds like a plan, i think i'll hit up the salvage yards here and see what they've got. Thanks

that front output should take some oomph to remove... IIRC the torque spec on that is something like 150 ft-lbs...

 

[cvlv2]

I tried trading the 207's front output flange today with a later model 231 flange. It didn't work out. The 207 front output shaft and seal are a much smaller diameter. The 231 output flange was taken from a 91. Do I need to try a different year?

 

[cvlv2]

I think I know what I did. Might have grabbed the front output yoke off of a 242 by mistake. Are the 242 yokes a bigger shaft diameter than the 231's?

 

[MudDawg]

When I did the conversion on my 85 model...Randy's R&P supplied the yoke.
If you have a barrel full of the CV shafts you will kill them all. Oh yeah...after installing the yoke I had to grind off some of the threaded shaft because it protruded too much and interfered with the u-joint...just make sure you keep the double cardin joints well lubed especially the fitting that takes a needle point tool.