I have a 99 WJ that I recently purchased. It seems to have a DS front axle issue. I suspect it's a CV joint on it's way out. Now here's the question/s...

Will a CV from my parts donor 2001 WJ with CV's in the front axle, be a direct swap?

I've considered swapping complete front diff's, as today I noticed a bit of slop in two TRE on my 99 WJ. So I thought maybe just swap diff's and kill two birds with on stone. Would take care of the CV issue and TRE slop. But here is another question.

Upon a quick visual inspection of both diff's, my 99 has solid front rotors and a U joint on a yoke at the output shaft and a booted CV on the T-Case imput. The 2001 WJ has vented rotors and a booted CV on the output and a booted CV on the T-Case imput.

Is the swap do able, either just swapping CV's (keep in mind one runs through a solid rotor and the other through a vented rotor). Would the shafts have the same length? Or swap diff's and front shafts, killing multiple birds at one time.

Finally, are wj's prone the wheel bearing failure?

 

You can use both the complete '01 axle and '01 drive shaft in the '99, but you'll also need to use the '01 front calipers to match the '01's rotors. Don't mismatch them. Remember, bleeders go towards the top.
The drive shafts will interchange.

 

Thank you Ol'Blue, the info was spot on. As to the issue, just a testiment as to how noise travels. Turns out it was not the DS CV after all. The PS wheel bearing hub was shot, consequently damaging the speed sensor and causing undue wear on the CV also.

The donor 2001 WJ was a direct match, and it turns out the hub and axle were replaced recently. So it's all good now!!
Thank you one and all CF !!!!

 

Good for you. You should check the DS hub bearing too just to be sure. I always replaced them in pairs. While you're in the maintenance mood, you should pull the rear diff cover and check the condition of the fluid and look for any signs of wear on the gears/bearings. At the least you'll be able to clean it out and add new diff fluid with no worries. JMO.

 

Oh I plan on alot more to come. This WJ was picked up cheap, with low mileage. Although I feel neglected. It was in a minor fender bender, PO had no $ to repair it.

So over the last week this is the repairs list:

Both front power windows
Water pump
T Stat
Rear wiper motor
DS seat
Stereo
Carpet
Grill
Header
Both PS doors.

Now what's been taken care of;

Front clip swap...hood,header,grill,lights,both fenders,front bumper.
All four door...
Stereo
Complete interior swap...ratty grey cloth to black
Water pump and T Stat
PS hub and CV shaft.

Over the next week or so, I'll swap the other hub and CV shaft, all oils flush, rear hatch. And finish off with a little paint to complete the transformation from a grey 99 to a black 2001. Lol, alot of work but currently I'm only into it for $1,250.00. This includes the purchase of the two WJ's. All labour done by me.

 

That's great and still a bargain. At least you can vouch for your work. Not take some ones word for it.

 

True nuf. Anyways thanks again. I'm sure I'll be on here more with my questions. Only after I USE the search option....lol.