Hey guys,

As the title states, I'd like to swap from u-joint axles to cv axles at least for the time being. I did search and found one related thread, however one particular piece of information is missing.

The victim is a 98 Cherokee Limited, 242 transfer, non-disconnect Dana 30 front. 27 spline w/ABS.

What years/models should I search based on to find a direct fit cv axle to swap the u-joint style?

I've seen a lot of people tend to discourage this, but, the truck is mostly street driven and completely stock. It's been essentially abondoned for the last 3 months 65 miles away and I need to get her out of where she's at. When I (finally) removed the u-joint from the right side stub shaft, the ear and tone ring of course cracked. I'm on a TIGHT budget and $120 just to replace the stub is ridiculous when I found a place with a complete CV set for both sides for $140! This is just to get me by for now. I don't want to half way fix it nor be with out 4 wheel drive or ABS with winter knocking at the front door.

So I'm just not sure what years or models that use CVs stock would fit right on in and get my truck back.

Thanks in advance,

Dylan

 

A majority of the Grand Cherokees have them. I have not really seen any XJ's with them. You should be able to find them at the JY. $50- $75 for a complete pair. It's easier to pull & re-install if you pull the unit bearing & shafts as one unit. You only need a 12 point 13mm.

 

Thanks David.

I figure and found a set for 93-98 GC. That should work then? I know they are 27 in and outter splined. I just know there are 3 different style axles and don't wnat to end up with the wrong one.

After the u-joint grenaded and nearly sent me 3 wheeling and likely not for long very long at 75mph, I'd rather not go the JY route having it hauling my kids. Safety trumps budget everytime. :wink:

 

XJ & ZJ only came with 1 front axle, Dana 30. Sure, it may be high pinion (HP), or low pinion (LP) : CAD or non-CAD: but the shafts are interchangeable, all the way from 1983 to 2001.
They also only came with 2 styles of joints, CV & U.


Did you buy a drive shaft from a JY & it blew up? Did you inspect it before you installed it? Or do you just not like saving money by buying previously tested parts?

 

Hi Dave,

No, not a drive shaft, I'm looking at axle shafts. Never blown a drive shaft. But I have seen quite a few of these that threw the rear off on the side of the road.

Before having kids, I woudn't have thought twice about JY parts. I still would do knuckles and spindles as such where steering is concerned, but in this case, with a floating axle that came apart and the hub bearing nearly seperated at 75mph, no thanks.

I guees another thing to take in concideration about JY parts is you are in GA from your profile. Up here in IL above the rust belt, under chassis part in a JY on this vintage of a vehicle are chances are just as bad if not worse than what broke on yours. To boot, Chicago has a 4:1 salt to snow ratio, for every 1" inch of snow, they throw down 4" of salt. lol.

Thanks again.

 

Finally broke down and got a nice set of CV axles from the JY last weekend, installed them yesterday. Along with fresh fluid, man what difference! Much quieter, smoother steering and far more stable feeling. As this is a daily driver, I'm very happy. Can't wait for some snow to see how they handle (still have to get a bushing for the shifter link tho ), but in all, WOW! Totally different feeling. Someone in another post said their ABS was inop afterward, they must have used a newer year witht the smaller width tone gear, as everything is just fine on mine, no ABS light.