Hey all I have a 99 XJ and the U joints are bad. Pulled the axle and i cannot for the life of me get the retainer clips off they are on the inside of the Yokes! FML

Does anyone have any ideas? Can i switch to the CV type axle? Please someone with time and some knowledge throw some rocks at me and help me PLEASE. snow coming tonight and axle is pulled!

 

I think you can switch the the CV style by they are weaker.

 

Mine came off with a screwdriver and some whacks with a hammer. Find the ends of the c clips and pry there with your screwdriver or use the hammer to add some necessary force.

 

Use bench or Ground when wacking the clip? When I say these are inside I mean that i have to bend the joint around to get at them. Is that what you had also?

 

Yep, whatever angle was needed to get the screwdriver (or more appropriately a punch) on the ends of the c clips. Bench, ground, doesn't matter.

 

Woo hoo Clips are gone! PB blaster dont fail me now!!!!!

 

**** em their boat anchors! ill find a new set! this **** blows! no wheels till i can get the U~joint out of this damn axle

 

i've gotten out the grinder and cutting disc and cut the damn u-joints into pieces.
it's very easy to knock out the caps the opposite way and get the clip out.

then clean them up with a piece of emery cloth and lots of grease.

 

Found out the issue is they are seized to the yoke. Apparently the person who sold the jeep told me lie about how long the U~joints were bad. when i pulled the passenger side the caps had no pins left in them and where cracking apart from the heat of no lube or bearing helping. The caps where seized into them and still are... smh

 

Always are, BFH & heat really help. The secret is to be mad enough to get them apart, but not so mad as to destroy everything.

 

Big hammer and a punch. Beat them out from the inside towards the outside of the yoke. I've also used an impact socket slightly smaller than the hole in the yoke to hammer on instead of a punch. Good luck.

 

Socket, a torch, and a BFH

 

So there is hope? O hell yeah!

 

Ball joint press that you can rent from oreillys works too.

 

No O'reilly's round here. I did manage to cut the u joint apart but did some minor damage i think. They where froze up so bad the hammer did hit the edge of the yoke a few times and push a little metal over into the hole. can i fix this with a small dremel type grinder or am i in new of new parts?