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Jeep Grand Cherokee 1993-1998: How to Replace Front CV Axle Shaft

Worn CV joints (axles) often leak when the protective boot tears. Once the grease leaks out, the axle will begin to get contaminated and click loudly. It's a sign to replace the axle.

By Pizzaman711 - August 26, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ (1993-1998).

A broken CV axle can make for a bad day on the trail or in poor weather conditions. Without it, your 4x4 won't be able to send any power to that wheel. As easy as they are to break though, they're just about as easy to replace. It's always important to check the proper functionality of your 4x4 system before heading out on the trail or into the snow, since these axles are prone to wearing out due to the grease boot on them getting torn.

Materials Needed

  • Tire iron
  • Floor jack
  • Jack stand
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • 13mm socket
  • 36mm socket
  • 13mm 12-point socket
  • Breaker bar
  • Socket extensions

Step 1 – Remove the wheel

  • Park on flat, level ground and set the parking brake.
  • Using the tire iron, loosen the lug nuts on the wheel.
  • Raise the vehicle using the floor jack and position the jack stand underneath.
  • Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
  • Lower the vehicle onto the jack stand.
Figure 1. Remove the wheel.

Step 2 – Remove CV axle

  • Remove the cotter pin on the center axle nut.
Figure 2. Remove cotter pin.
  • Set aside the washer and castle nut that were held in place with the cotter pin.
  • With a helper, have them hold the brake pedal down while you remove the 36mm center nut.
  • Remove the two 13mm bolts on the backside of the rotor that hold onto the brake caliper. It is suggested using a piece of wire to hang the caliper up out of the way, so the brake line doesn't get damaged.
Figure 3. Caliper removed and hanging.
  • Pull the brake rotor off.
Figure 4. Rotor removed.
  • Using a 12-point 13mm socket, remove the three bolts that hold the wheel hub on. It may take some force to get the wheel hub off depending on how rusted it is.
Figure 5. Wheel hub bolts.
  • With the hub removed, you'll be able to simply pull the CV axle out.
Figure 6. Pull CV axle out.

Step 3 – Install new CV axle

  • Slide the new CV axle into place, making sure it slides in all the way.
  • Re-install the wheel hub using the three 12-point 13mm bolts, making sure the teeth on the CV axle line up with the gear in the wheel hub.
  • Push the brake rotor back into place. It is suggested putting a lug nut on it to hold it in place.
  • Push the caliper back onto the brake rotor and then tighten it down with the two 13mm bolts.
  • Have a helper hold the brakes and then tighten the center axle nut; it needs to be torqued to 175 ft-lbs.
  • Place the washer back on the center nut.
  • Place the castle nut back on the center nut.
  • Install a new cotter pin into the center nut.

Featured Video: How to change CV Axle

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