STROMVADER

I had a mishap and bent the front axle on my 99' Cherokee. It has tons of non adjustable camber. Can someone link me to a good thread with some documentation of the removal and replacement? I searched and had no luck. It's my first time swapping one out and could use some good advice from the CF collective.

Thanks,

STROMVADER

SeriousOffroad

Very simple operation:
Put it on jack stands (under the frame rails)
Support the axle with a floor jack.
Remove the wheels
Remove the calipers and tie-them up out of the way.
Remove the rotors
Unbolt the shocks from the axle
Disconnect the drive shaft
Disconnect the steering links, and steering stabilizer and trackbar from the axle
Unbolt the spring retainers
Lower the axle to the ground

Assemble in reverse order.

STROMVADER

Thanks Serious! What about the upper and lower control arms? Will they help the axle swing down for removal? About how much does an axle weigh minus all the aforementioned removed? Just so I have an idea what to expect.

SeriousOffroad

Around 150 pounds or so.

STROMVADER

That's great. I have an ATV jack that will work awesome.

STROMVADER

I'm trying to remove my old axle and steering components and can't free the center steering link from the pitman arm. Do you guys have any suggestions or experienced this when removing an old axle? I live in the rust belt which does no good. I'm having a hell of a time!

Willys55

all you need to do is seperate the tie rods ends and tie the entire steering linkage out of the way, no need to remove from the pitman arm

STROMVADER

It has to come out and be replaced because it is bent, plus the grease boot is gone.

Willys55

oh, my bad

STROMVADER

Somehow they managed to get the donor axle 's center link freed at the JY. I'm puzzled and frustrated at this point.

xjoz87

If you are still having problems getting it separated I would spray it with pb blaster and let it soak for a little while then try it again. If that still doesnt work then I personally would get a separator from the local auto parts store. It looks kind of like a fork. You put it between the pitman arm and joint your trying to remove and hit it with a hammer. The only thing I would personally suggest is if you go that route I would remove the pitman arm from the steering box so that you arent taking the chance of damaging the steering box by hitting the separator with the hammer.

STROMVADER

Thank You! I'll try what you suggested. The next step was going to be fire or dynamite.

xjoz87

no worries. Keep updated on how it goes for you.

STROMVADER

I have what I think is the worst luck getting this thing apart. The LCA bolts that go to the frame are impossible to get out and are stopping my progress. It's like they are welded in there. I had to phone a friend who is a mechanic to help me. At this point, I just want to wrap it up and be done with it.

Lowrange2

I assume the retaining wall did this damage?

Soak the bolts in PB or Liquid Wrench for a while.

Apply heat if you need to.