connor.grogan

Mechanic is telling me I need a rebuilt front driveshaft for my 2000 Jeep xj 4.0 with 231.
Is this true? He’s quoting 500 dollars while I see ones online that are 150. Is there a difference in these?

DFlintstone

Sounds like BS to me. $500 is nuts. Don't know any details, but normally U joints are the issue, < $15 each IIRC.

4.3L XJ

For that money you can buy a new heavy duty driveshaft from Tom Woods. I would seek other solutions

PatHenry

Agree with the previous posters.

Edit - Usually u-joints are the issue, but it's possible that the slip collar part is worn as well.

You can replace the driveshaft yourself - it's just a few bolts at the transfer case side and the couple bolts at the axle side and it comes right out. New aftermarket ones are available online for ~$200-ish.

You can do the rebuild yourself as well (I did mine not too long ago), but it's a fair amount of work and u-joints tend to be a PITA. In the front shaft there's also a centering ball part that is a wear item.

I just got a spicer non-grease-able rebuild kit from Denny's Driveshaft at about ~$100 for my 95. The 00 may be a different kit, but shouldn't be significantly different.

Dave51

Why EXACTLY did he say that? Got a photo, or some jiggle noise? Did you go there with a problem with that?

The first thing I would do IIWY is see if I needed a rebuilt front driveshaft for my 2000 Jeep xj 4.0 with 231 before I started replacing my front driveshaft for my 2000 Jeep xj 4.0 with 231.

connor.grogan

The centering ball broke and caused damage to the driveshaft, so it as a whole needs replaced, thanks for the advice.

Dave51

This is in addition to blowing up the transfer case? You look a little lifted. What's the drive angle on that?

Dave51

If you think its nuts now give it a minute.

DFlintstone

Dave, sometimes I work out of town and my mother or girlfriend need to go to a shop. Now screw on 20 years of this. I'm over 6 feet and nearly 300Lbs. Some of these ****** that took advantage of my loved ones have nearly pooped there pants when I went in to talk about what they did. Shorter story, my level of trust is very, very low.

Dave51

Well, I don't know either, but in another thread posted simultaneously OP states

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/po...eep-xj-250574/

This tells me that the driveshaft is already pulled, so that 500 quote is for the part only since they can't put in a labor charge for something that is included as part of another job.

Maybe you should go over there and talk to the mechanic..

Dave51

Would also seem that this is a chain reaction. Thoroughly check the front axle to make sure that isn't where the problem originally started.