Front axle question

10Zero

10Zero

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Jun 19, 2024
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Surfside Beach SC
Please pardon me sounding naive, but do the TJs have a live front axle? Recently bought a 2000 TJ, and jacked up the front end today checking wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. When spinning the wheels, I noticed the front driveshaft spins too, even though it's in 2WD. I've owned a number of 4WDs, CJs, YJs, but this is my first TJ. Plan is to tow this behind an RV, but wanna confirm it's a live axle or if I have something else going on. But...I see no way for hubs to disengage, be it electric, vacuum, whatever.
 
10Zero said:
Please pardon me sounding naive, but do the TJs have a live front axle? Recently bought a 2000 TJ, and jacked up the front end today checking wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. When spinning the wheels, I noticed the front driveshaft spins too, even though it's in 2WD. I've owned a number of 4WDs, CJs, YJs, but this is my first TJ. Plan is to tow this behind an RV, but wanna confirm it's a live axle or if I have something else going on. But...I see no way for hubs to disengage, be it electric, vacuum, whatever.
Click to expand...

The front driveshaft always spins when the front wheels spin. I don't think "live axle" means the absence of hubs. It IS a live axle, in the sense it's a solid front axle as opposed to IFS.

Our TJ's are "shift on the fly". In order to have shift on the fly, the hubs have to be permanently engaged unless modified. That way in 2WD, the synchro in the transfer case allows the shift lever to go straight into 4HI while moving and engage the front axle (thus, putting the front DS under power even though it was already moving). Some of us with really, REALLY low gears (5.13 or 5.38) have added manual hubs to eliminate front driveshaft vibes on the street. There are no manual hubs on a stock or stock-similar hub. When towing, the transfer case goes in neutral. The manual says to put it in gear IIRC, but many on here disagree.
 
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Rubiconned said:
Wouldn't putting the transfer case in neutral also disable 2WD?
The reason I ask is I know for a fact if I put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in reverse the jeep goes nowhere.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what it is for. the driveshafts will spin, but the INPUT shaft of the TC won't.
 
Cooper Smith said:
The front driveshaft always spins when the front wheels spin. I don't think "live axle" means the absence of hubs. It IS a live axle, in the sense it's a solid front axle as opposed to IFS.

Our TJ's are "shift on the fly". In order to have shift on the fly, the hubs have to be permanently engaged unless modified. That way in 2WD, the synchro in the transfer case allows the shift lever to go straight into 4HI while moving and engage the front axle (thus, putting the front DS under power even though it was already moving). Some of us with really, REALLY low gears (5.13 or 5.38) have added manual hubs to eliminate front driveshaft vibes on the street. There are no manual hubs on a stock or stock-similar hub. When towing, the transfer case goes in neutral. The manual says to put it in gear IIRC, but many on here disagree.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Guess me calling it a live axle wasn't really accurate. What I personally meant is the actual spindle hub(s) remain constant engaged through the axles and 3rd member and on to the driveshaft...only engagement/disengagement point being at the TC.

I truly appreciate your response. Been a long time since having a NP231.
 
10Zero said:
Thanks! Guess me calling it a live axle wasn't really accurate. What I personally meant is the actual spindle hub(s) remain constant engaged through the axles and 3rd member and on to the driveshaft...only engagement/disengagement point being at the TC.

I truly appreciate your response. Been a long time since having a NP231.
Click to expand...

Yup. 241OR should be the same too if you ever get a Rubi
 
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