How hard would y'all say replacing the U-joints on a Jeep TJ is? I bought all 7 last week and plan on replacing them myself. Any tips?
U-joint replacement
- Thread starter madridalejandro
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- driveshatf front axle ujoint
6/10. Can be annoying.
One of the first jobs I did on cars. I don't have a press. I just remove the retaining clip and then use a hammer and socket with some 2x4's on the garage floor. Take care not to bend the yoke! Take care on reinstalling the new joints. There are videos of this method on YT.
JEEPSTEVENANAIMO
TJ Enthusiast
I think it’s easier without a press. I’ve done it both ways.
Press can bind up the joint.
The hammer method continually shocks it and it works its way out and in easier.
Just go slow and reset if things aren't feeling right. Sometimes when putting the caps on the little rolling can come out of place. I hate doing the job and its a weird when in that when I do them on the trail it always going way too smooth but in my shop I always run into some frustration.
DuckNut
TJ Enthusiast
I would not waste any time on the front akle u-joint. I would buy a new cv axle from O'Reilly and stick that in. Spicer Ujoints are roughly $60 and a cv axle is $100. The $40 difference is a no brainer for me to have a lifetime warranty and a stronger axle joint.
Now I only have the drive shaft ujoints.
Now I only have the drive shaft ujoints.
JEEPSTEVENANAIMO
TJ Enthusiast
I should itterate that i also used percusive force when using the press. press put the pressure on it and the hammer knocked it loose.
JEEPSTEVENANAIMO
TJ Enthusiast
DuckNut
TJ Enthusiast
I have no idea what the grands use. The cv is far stronger. Not necessarily stronger than the joint itself but the pieces the joint goes into (sorry, don't know the technical term for them...the pieces with the hole in them).
I've done all mine, using a combination of a bench vise, hammer, sockets, and Liquid Wrench. If I had to do it over, I would take all the components and replacement Spicers up to my local shop and have them do it, and spend that saved time addressing other items.
When I did my rear driveshaft, the hammer/socket technique did NOT work. I had to resort to a ball joint press WITH a breaker bar. Turns out some idiot STAKED the U-joints in place, purposely or not, I don't know. All turned out well.
DuckNut
TJ Enthusiast
DuckNut
TJ Enthusiast
That's what's in my WJ.
Never seen anyone using them in TJs.
The way I was told was all the shafts for the various models are the same... except for WJ. Slightly different.
The shafts are listed under XJ, not Wrangler. Just need correct spline count.
I helped a buddy change them and the wheel bearings and we were done, both sides, garage swept and beer cans tossed in 45 minutes. If we actually focused we could have been done in maybe 15.
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