Jakers

Going to be replacing my Ball joints in another week or two and figured I would replace my axle u-joints while I was at it. Then I started thinking about the driveshaft u-joints and I have no clue when they were done last. I've had the Jeep for 2-3 years now and a local shop replaced 1 of the rear driveshaft u-joints about a month ago but didn't replace any other ones. Jeep as 233k on the meter, 1990.

So I did what I think every other jeeper out there did and thought to myself... well, if I'm going to replace "a" I might as well as replace "b" while I'm at it, which then lead to me replacing c,d,e,f...."

At the moment It appears all my other u-joints are in acceptable condition. Should I just leave them in there till they break or replace the axle ones when I do the balljoints? And I'f I'm going to replace the axle ones should I replace the driveshaft ones at the same time? And if I will be replacing the driveshaft ones should I replace the centering yoke as well?



*edit* I'm thinking this should have gone in cherokee chat, not oem tech. Sorry mods

NM-XJ

It really depends on how you approach vehicle use and maintenance. My opinion is to leave things until they need servicing or you are pulling it apart for another job. But I also have the benefit of knowing the vehicle's maintenance history since the day it rolled off the dealer lot in 1998.

In the case of the axle U-Joints, you're pulling the knuckle off and probably pulling the axle out of the tube to make things easier. Since the shaft is out, yeah I'd probably do the U-Joints if I didn't know their usage history.

If the front drive shaft U-Joints pass inspection, I wouldn't bother. If and when you do decided to replace them, yes, do the centering yoke at the same time.

Further thoughts: if your drive shaft U-joints are non-serviceable, I might more strongly consider replacing them. If they are serviceable with grease zerks, just grease them and keep on truckin!

cruiser54

Good maintenance info is just fine in OEM Tech Jakers.

Not enough of it getting done in my book!!!

md21722

The driveshaft is independent of axle shaft u-joints. It can be a lot less headache to simply take the driveshaft to a driveshaft shop to rebuild the front double cardan. My local Spicer dealer / driveshaft shop will do it for about $10 more than I can buy the Spicer parts myself.

Axle u-joints you might as well replace if you don't like tearing things apart again.

To make it easy to remove the unit hubs in the future, I coat all the mating surfaces with anti-seize. Then they come right out.

I strongly recommend Spicer ball joints and Spicer u-joints. I have had MOOG parts fail in short order. The Spicers are cheaper and last far longer. They are what came from the factory.

Jakers

Thanks all, gonna replace the axle u joints and hold off on the driveshaft ones (I'll give them a closer inspection when doing the axle join to to be on the safe side). Driveshaft joints are serviceable and I've been greasing them every time I wheel (about once every month or two). Ball joints I received for my bday were moog, but I think they were bought off of Amazon so I might be able to return for Spicer. I'll have to do some research.

BillyBoy

I just replaced my whole axleshaft with a cv shaft. I don't do much offroading. It's nice and smooth. Crazy easy also.

Just putting it out there. Grand Cherokee cvs.

Jeep Driver

You won't regret this move either....>>>>Tom Woods.

BillyBoy

Niiiicccccceeeeee.

Jakers

I would like to upgrade to a Tom woods shaft. Few more months if I'm lucky, I've out about $4-5k into the Jeep in the past 6months so I got a sneak in my Jeep upgrades lol