94 XJ front axle/hub question

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Aug 18, 2013 | 04:54 AM

Programbo

Thread Starter

CF Veteran

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 1,964

Likes: 6

From: Baltimore, Maryland

Year: 1994 1993

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

94 XJ front axle/hub question

My front axle has a bad u-joint (No more bearings in the cap). We have a driveline shop at work and the guy I work with will change the joints for me and check out the shaft. Anyway, my front hub nut is just completely frozen on there. I have tried all the most common methods of removing a stuck nut. Since I can't get my entire Jeep into our shop if I undo 3 hub bolts (Along with removing the caliper/rotor/etc) can I just pull the whole hub-axle assembly out as a unit? It seems to me they would come out together. Then he could take it to the shop and put it on his work bench and heat it and use the impact gun etc to get it apart and do the u-joints.

Aug 18, 2013 | 05:16 AM

bulrid8

Seasoned Member

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 436

Likes: 0

From: Ware Shoals, SC

Year: 1993

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L

Yes, the axle will come out with the hub.

Aug 18, 2013 | 08:29 AM

steven72192

Seasoned Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 391

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From: Chicago Illinois

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by Programbo

My front axle has a bad u-joint (No more bearings in the cap). We have a driveline shop at work and the guy I work with will change the joints for me and check out the shaft. Anyway, my front hub nut is just completely frozen on there. I have tried all the most common methods of removing a stuck nut. Since I can't get my entire Jeep into our shop if I undo 3 hub bolts (Along with removing the caliper/rotor/etc) can I just pull the whole hub-axle assembly out as a unit? It seems to me they would come out together. Then he could take it to the shop and put it on his work bench and heat it and use the impact gun etc to get it apart and do the u-joints.

Yes you can do that but just be extremely carful with the axle seals and bearing when removing the axle also If the axle but isn't coming off try to pb blaster it and if needed use the torch on the old bearing be careful not to overheat the bearing things like the Hub could warp or the bearing could fail prematurely

Aug 18, 2013 | 11:10 PM

Radi

CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 5,302

Likes: 23

From: Wisconsin

Model: Cherokee

You'll need a 4' breaker bar and a hefty friend to get that hub nut off. It's torqued to 175 ft/lb. But as mentioned there's no need to remove it to do the U-joints. Just pull the three bolts around back and remove it as an assembly.
Put a bit of grease on the axle shafts where the seal rides and try to center them in the tube when you reinstall. Those older oil seals can leak if you aren't gentle with them.