I need to replace the U joints in my axle shafts. I don't have enough time in the day to pull everything apart, switch them, and put them back in and put everything back together. The U joints are seized in there.

Can I pull both axle shafts out and put it all back together to drive it like that without them? (just making sure I don't shift it into 4 wheel)

 

No you cant. Go to a junkyard and get some extra shafts and replace u joints then you don't have to screw around with it apart for a long time

 

Those axle shafts hold the unit bearing together. I wouldn't want to even take it off the jack stands without the axle shafts in. Just letting the weight of the Jeep sit on those bearings can't be good for them, and you ABSOLUTELY do NOT want to drive it anywhere. Those bearings will come apart and there goes your wheel, and if you're moving at any kind of speed, you might be risking your life or the life of the drivers around you from when you smash in to them.

 

Thank y'all for the advise. That's what I figured. I will not be doing that.

 

I also think I still have the stock u joints on there but I think they are seized in there. Do you have any tips to get them out?

 

I doubt they are truly seized. Make sure you get those clips off the inside. Those can be a pain, and sometimes they break into pieces, and if you miss a little section of one of those clips, it will make getting that ujoint out almost impossible. I just use a BFH to change ujoints, but a shop press is preferred. If you use a BFH, just make sure you're hitting in the right spot so you don't mess up the drive shafts or axles. Lots of videos on youtube about it.

I did a video when I helped my daughter change hers, but its really not a very good how-to. I had to change them up while I was sitting in on my gravel driveway because, and kept forgetting to turn the camera on and blah blah blah. Here's the link, but there are better ones out there on youtube about it.

 

Penetrating oil, a really BFH, and a hard surface to hit on. If that doesn't work you can try heat but I've always been able to persuade them out without heat.

They do sell ujoint presses but I've heard that people have had issues bending the ears of their shafts with those because it applies gradual force instead of the shock it needs.

 

I see the biggest problem with removing the shafts and driving is that there is no longer anything to keep the gear oil in the differential. The oil is kept in by the inner seals and shafts. I drip Kroil around the caps and clips and let it sit overnight. The next day they more or less tap out with light hammer. I use a ball joint press to put them back in. I've yet to bend an ear or drop a needle bearing using this method. If you don't use penetrant you may need bigger hammer. The first time I did this job I did not use penetrant and my 2 lb hammer wouldn't do anything. Make sure you have some brake cleaner or other solvent on hand to clean out the shafts before reassembling.

 

I changed a few with out problem, my Tj ones would not budge had to get them pushed out at engineering shop with a big press think it was a mill predict old fashion spiral screw press thing.
Anyway bent the ear which I had to persuade back out with a BFH

I agree with XJ-92 go get a spare pair to repair them straight swap

 

I've heard of people heating them up then putting it in water and they pop apart.

 

Burned cross out with oxy torch, then I only had to fight one cap at a time.

 

So just use a cutting torch and then punch the caps out?

 

That's what I did, bit of mess cause that's a lot of steel to burn. Use care to not melt plastic shield near joint (ooopps)

 

Mine were pretty nasty from Mich rust.

 

The shield? Like that seal?