Questions about installing new ball joints on my TJ

[jnunymc]

I am looking at swapping out my ball joints this weekend.

Is it absolutely necessary to have to remove the axle to remove the ball joints, or is there another way.

If I have to remove the axle, is it as easy as sliding it out and sliding back in?

Do I have to mark the spline and put it back in exactly where it came out?

Do I have to do anything with the differential if I do have to remove the axles?

This is on a 2002 TJ, Sahara edition. I know this is a lot to unpack, but any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jerry Bransford]

No, there's absolutely no need to remove the axle to replace its ball joints. Avoid store brand ball joints, Synergy, etc., you want two sets of this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007N6OHI0/?tag=wranglerorg-20 which is the OEM Spicer ball joint.

 

[Chris]

X2 to what Jerry said. He beat me to it!

Also, don't use any other ball joints than the ones he suggested.

 

[mrblaine]

Reading comprehension owns you fuckers.

 

[rasband]

The above are taking you too literally, because I believe what you meant to say is the Axle Shafts, and yes - they absolutely have to come out. There's really nothing special about taking them out and in.

1. Tires Off
2. Remove Caliper and Rotor
3. Undo the 3 bolts holding the hub on
4. Slide out the axle shafts attached to the hub (no need to separate these)
5. Drop your steering
6. Pull the knuckles
7. Press out/in
8. Reverse the process.

 

[mrblaine]

I am looking at swapping out my ball joints this weekend.

Is it absolutely necessary to have to remove the axle to remove the ball joints, or is there another way.

If I have to remove the axle, is it as easy as sliding it out and sliding back in?

Do I have to mark the spline and put it back in exactly where it came out?

Do I have to do anything with the differential if I do have to remove the axles?

This is on a 2002 TJ, Sahara edition. I know this is a lot to unpack, but any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

You have to remove the knuckles. You can't do that without pulling the shafts.

 

[rasband]

 

[mrblaine]

The above are taking you too literally, because I believe what you meant to say is the Axle Shafts, and yes - they absolutely have to come out. There's really nothing special about taking them out and in.

1. Tires Off
2. Remove Caliper and Rotor
3. Undo the 3 bolts holding the hub on
4. Slide out the axle shafts attached to the hub (no need to separate these)
5. Drop your steering
6.

Oh, you mean the splined part wasn't a dead giveaway?

 

[rasband]

Oh, you mean the splined part wasn't a dead giveaway?

Among other things

 

[jnunymc]

I am trying to find a video that shows how to remove the ball joints without having to remove the spline. Do I need to take off the U Joints in order to avoid having to pull the spline out?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Shit.

 

[jnunymc]

Oh, you mean the splined part wasn't a dead giveaway?

 

[rasband]

I am trying to find a video that shows how to remove the ball joints without having to remove the spline. Do I need to take off the U Joints in order to avoid having to pull the spline out?

Can you describe what you're asking more? The video I linked is all you need to know to do your ball joints, there's no u-joints to remove. It's a surprisingly simple process, so I would suggest taking a step back and watching that video.

Also, I don't buy car parts from amazon anymore, I have gotten too many fakes or bad quality returns that were sent out. I'd buy them at summit racing: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdh-706944x

 

[rasband]

Yes the axle shafts I guess is what I meant. Do I need to mark where they came out and put them in the exact same way. Do I have to do anything special to the differential when I put them back in, or should they just slide back in with minor adjustments so the teeth line up?

Nothing special, no marking. Your differential doesn't care which spline it lines up with.

 

[jnunymc]

Yes the axle shafts I guess is what I meant. Do I need to mark where they came out and put them in the exact same way. Do I have to do anything special to the differential when I put them back in, or should they just slide back in with minor adjustments so the teeth line up? Sorry for the confusion.

 

[tworley]

Yes the axle shafts I guess is what I meant. Do I need to mark where they came out and put them in the exact same way. Do I have to do anything special to the differential when I put them back in, or should they just slide back in with minor adjustments so the teeth line up? Sorry for the confusion.

Just be careful sliding them back in. THey need to fit thru the inner seal. So gently slide them in

 

[jnunymc]

Just be careful sliding them back in. THey need to fit thru the inner seal. So gently slide them in

Should I feel them engage the differential?

 

[tworley]

Should I feel them engage the differential?

You'll feel a soft resistance, thats the inner seal. Gently lift up or level the axle shaft near the axle C and you'll easily get the shaft to slide in a couple more inches. Thats when it is within the carrier.

 

[DaveF]

You'll feel a soft resistance, gently lift up or level the shaft and you'll easily get the shaft to slide in a couple more inches.

FIFY... and... that's what she said.

 

[P man]

FIFY... and... that's what she said.

unless you only have a couple inches to start with ...only thing I would add is to check the caliper bolts now and if the knuckle is stripped have a plan in order..the torque on those bolts is stupid low FYI