Axle U-joints On a Yj (most D30's)

[jeepfreak81]

After almost 180000 miles i was hearing a clicking, and after grabbing ahold of the u-joints housed in the knuckle of the front axle realized wow they are SHOT... only at least a full 1/8" of play in them allowing the whole axle to wobble, today i went to NAPA and purchased the two joints... $10.99 a piece, I will start from the very step one because otherwise i may forget something..

1. to start off you will need to jack upt he front of the jeep.
2. next you will need to remove the tire..

3. then you will need to remove the brake caliper taking care not to twist it and break the brake line.
4. you will then remove the cotter key, key lock, and nut holding the hub on, you can take the rotor off after this or before this it will not matter. The nut should be a 36mm.



5. After this you will need to remove the three bolts that hold the hub on, there will be three in a triangular pattern, you will need a 13mm 12 point socket.



6. you can then pull the axle shaft, you will need a puller for this, it is the easiest way anyway, i found when used with a impact wrench it works even better...






you should now be able to slide the axle out..


you may want to stuff a rag in the axle hole so you dont lose all your oil..



the hub should also just slide off the axle shaft now, but it may take a whack of your deadblow hammer...



next remove the C-clips holding the u-joint caps in place, a vice, chisel and flat head screwdriver work well..

[jeepfreak81]

next you can pound out the u-joint, my dad and i liked a ball-ping hammer and a 5/8" socket, in conjunction with the 36mm socket earlier, you can set the joint on top of the 5/8" socket and hit the knuckle, it will drive each cap out as you do it to each, you can also set the u-joint over the 36mm socket and pound the u-joint into the 36mm socket using the 5/8" socket like a press with the hammer hitting it, CAUTION: the 5/8" socket in either case may richochet and hit someone or something...
we used both ways together for when each fit best.... in the pic you can see the 5/8" socket richocheting -- use craftsman if you break it get new :p
OR you could use a press if you have one.... but i don't...

re-assembled pic


take your new u-joints and install, making sure to put on the new c-clips, they should be included with the joint,

put everything back on in reverse order making sure to torque the hub bolts to 75 ft-lbs and the 36mm nut to 175 ft-lbs

you should be all set! my TPS sensor took longer.... dont ask.... That was the 2 screws from hell....

[Tie Dyed]

one little add-

Hit the inside of the yokes (where the u joint will be pressed into) with some sandpaper. This knocks out any rust that might have formed in them. It makes the ujoint o in easier. While you have the hub out, it is also a good idea to hit the inside of the knuckle as well.

[Monkeyevil]

Only problem with a puller is it can pull the hubs apart. I either use a junk socket and hit it out with some old bolts from the back... or use a chisel between the hub and knuckle. Both work well.

Also make life easy and antiseeze the bolts and knuckle before you put the hub back on. Makes trail repairs a 5 min job.

[clarkstoncracker]

Nice post..

This is how all tech articles should be, with pics...

[CHVYPWR]

Originally Posted by monkeyevil

Only problem with a puller is it can pull the hubs apart. I either use a junk socket and hit it out with some old bolts from the back... or use a chisel between the hub and knuckle. Both work well.


Also make life easy and antiseeze the bolts and knuckle before you put the hub back on. Makes trail repairs a 5 min job.

VERY important points!!! When it comes to an off-road/4x4 vehicle! Anti-seize has saved me alot of trouble on my past Jeeps!!!!!! I've pulled hubs apart using a puller too. They were worn and shot though Excellent write up to help any offroading newB's though!!

[jeepfreak81]

I have seen this question WAY too much asked, and it is a relatively simple task. I wrote this write up for jeepforum years ago, and post it on every new local board i frequent as well. Though it was on MJ until the write-up section disappeared. I hope it helps some people

[shawn]

Originally Posted by monkeyevil

Only problem with a puller is it can pull the hubs apart. I either use a junk socket and hit it out with some old bolts from the back... or use a chisel between the hub and knuckle. Both work well.

Also make life easy and antiseeze the bolts and knuckle before you put the hub back on. Makes trail repairs a 5 min job.

If the bearing is not bolted to the knuckle, you will NOT pull the Unit Bearing apart.

x2 on the antiseize

[BigBlkYJ 355]

Originally Posted by monkeyevil

Only problem with a puller is it can pull the hubs apart. I either use a junk socket and hit it out with some old bolts from the back... or use a chisel between the hub and knuckle. Both work well.

Also make life easy and antiseeze the bolts and knuckle before you put the hub back on. Makes trail repairs a 5 min job.

The junk socket works wonders Also, might want to add not to wear sandals while using a hammer....Could be potentially a bad thing

Nice writeup

[MuddyPaws]

Originally Posted by shawn

If the bearing is not bolted to the knuckle, you will NOT pull the Unit Bearing apart.

x2 on the antiseize

If the bearing housing is stuck inside the axle housing you can.

Another thing I do when replacing these is that I replace the 12 point bolts with normal hex head grade 8 bolts. Makes it easier on the trail.

[Mclovin]

couple things..
1. NEVER wear open toed shoes in the shop NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE DOING..
2. instead of a hamer and old socket to wack thecaps out.. try using the vise and a socket instead, to easily push it out.

[jeepfreak81]

Originally Posted by Muddinguy

couple things..
1. NEVER wear open toed shoes in the shop NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE DOING..
2. instead of a hamer and old socket to wack thecaps out.. try using the vise and a socket instead, to easily push it out.

While open toed shoes are not a good idea and I don't recommend it, it's either that or barefoot in the summer, currently I don't even own a pair of tennis shoes.

We have done it in the vice, but without a press sometimes you have to hit it very hard and it pops out of/moves around in the vice and is more aggravating then picking up the socket across the room each time. The only u-joint I have had 'push out' is on my 8.8 yoke, i have had to hammer or press every other u-joint out I have touched. I think it would be silly to make someone think they can just push it out, as 8/10 times it won't just 'easily push out'

[TurdFurgason]

that is my problem exactly, now all i need is a puller and some jacks to lift it up in my apartment complex at school. haha.

[Plato2k5]

Originally Posted by Muddinguy

couple things..
2. instead of a hamer and old socket to wack thecaps out.. try using the vise and a socket instead, to easily push it out.

I do not do that anymore. Last time i did that few years ago i grenaded the vice!! This was a BIG heavy duty vice to that weight like 50+ lbs. Jaw just snapped.

[GNJEEPN]

You dont have to use a puller if you leave the hub bolts in and use a dead blow hammer or a block of wood and a bfh to break the axle loose from the hub. Then take the three bolts out of the hub.