Cherokeejemo

Anything I should do to prep for the 3" or just change since I am tearing my front end apart? I know the universals.

MWildmann

Unit bearings and tie rod ends. If the lift doesn't come with control arms, check your bushings too.

Cherokeejemo

What are the unit bearings

MWildmann

The unit bearings support the outer stub shafts in the front axle and are the modern equivalent to the front selectable hub with bearings and races. They are not serviceable and not selectable. They are bolted to the knuckle with three 12 pt. bolts.

Cherokeejemo

Not wheel bearings right?

tiwvr1

Yes wheel bearings, the other poster is just saying it in a confusing way. I wouldnt replace anything if it isnt bad. If your bearings are quite and have no play, then y replace them?

Ball joints tight, tie rods tight? Then Yh replace them? All your doing is creating more work for yourself, and some of the aftermarket ones can go bad 10X as fast as the factory ones. Now control arm bushings.... If they have over 100k on them, replace them, along with shocks (assuming they will come with lift).

Cherokeejemo

Sweet wheel bearing are new and all ball joints and tie rods look shot. Has 132k and nothing has been replaced.

MWildmann

Ya, sorry about that. I wasn't saying to replace them, i was just saying to check them for play and replace as necessary. Unit bearings, wheel bearings and hub bearings are all the same thing. On XJs they're not serviceable, so they get replaced as a unit.

caged

just do the lift, then get an alignment right away. you can do your own if you read up on how to set toe in. that's all you can really do with solid axles anyways.

then once the lift is in, if you feel any vibes, you may need to replace the rear drive shaft u-joints, as they will now be spinning at a different angle and off the wear pattern it is used to.

Cherokeejemo

My XJ ain't on the road yet so I have been fixing any troubled areas. Should I change universals in rear or wait till lift is on?