Chandajeep

Hey guys, on the way to the beach my xj started shaking violently and I had to be towed the rest of the way there. The shop "fixed" the car by making it drivable, but said they had to tighten down a lot of bolts in the front and had to take out the 4wd shaft because it was warped... I'm not sure what that part is exactly and I really would like to get back to offloading. I have been driving it fine without problem since in 2wd. Does anyone know what part that could be so I could buy one cheap without taking it to the jeep dealership and overpaying for this unknown part?

It's a 2000 jeep cherokee sport 4.0L aka my baby

Bmkerner

Check the vacuum lines and make sure that are still attached and that they are sucking air into them

freegdr

get a second opinion

glumone

Is there a long round tube going from the area under under your seat to the front axl.?
When you look under the xj?
I think there talking about the front "drive shaft".
If its not there just call your local junk yards thats the place to look for parts deals.
junk yards here only charge $50.00 to buy a drivshaft.

Chandajeep

I think you're exactly right, I just looked under the driver side door and it looks like I'm missing that shaft. How difficult would it be to put a new one in? I'm not an expert but I am pretty handy. it looks kinda like screwing it in on both sides, but I am not that naive.

Chandajeep

So i found a front driveshaft for $75 and I'm sure it's the right part. Does anyone know how to figure out the thread pattern and size of the bolts i need to put it in?

bobvalli

I'd go back to the shop where you had the work done and tell them "I WANT MY DRIVE SHAFT BACK" and don't forget to tell them you want all the hardware too.

Drive shafts don't just "warp". It might need some u-joints or a centering ball, but unless you ran something over and bent it, the DS should still be usable.

Chandajeep

It started happening directly after taking my xj to butler automotive to get a tune up. I read something on another forum that said inexperienced mechanics have accidentally used that shaft as a jack point and causes it to warp so i think that's what happened. I think they also forgot to tighten down several bolts in the front end. So basically, screw them for screwing up my xj.