Replacing front drive shaft, old shaft does not rotate

I am trying to replace the drive shaft on an 04 (3.7/6 cyl) to replace with a reman Cardone model.

I am trying to remove the original shaft.

I have put the vehicle in neutral and the 4WD in neutral as well, but the shaft will not spin. allowing me to get to all of the bolt.

Question: Should the shaft spin under manual effort with both drives in neutral?

I have a suspicions that my 4wd might not be fully disengaged, but shifting through the 4WD gears has not resulted in any change.

Suggestion?

I would think you'd need to have the front wheels off of the ground to be able to spin the drive shaft with the TC in neutral. Nothing in the front drivetrain disengages; it's all connected.

I am thinking you are correct. I have it up on ramps, not jacks.

Rookie mistake.

Thanks.

Yep, one tire has to be off the ground, both if you have an lsd/ locker

Just did the overhaul. At least one wheel off the ground. Here's the thing, raise the drivers side with a small chock you can get to. It makes bolt removal faster and easier. You can block 3 of the bolts with a box wrench, but you will need to chock the tire or lower it (a pain) to get the last bolts.

Please be careful working on driveshafts under the Jeep. Ebrake set with the wheels blocked.

Someone my brother knew was removing his drive shaft. Had to hammer it out since it was 'stuck.' Long story short the truck rolled right over him and sucked him up in the fender well. Didnt kill him but I imagine he wouldve rather not done that.

Yes, a front wheel must be off the ground.

JeepJeepster said:

Please be careful working on driveshafts under the Jeep. Ebrake set with the wheels blocked.

Someone my brother knew was removing his drive shaft. Had to hammer it out since it was 'stuck.' Long story short the truck rolled right over him and sucked him up in the fender well. Didnt kill him but I imagine he wouldve rather not done that.

Yes, a front wheel must be off the ground.

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Not an issue for removing the front driveshaft. It is completely disengaged when not in 4wd, thus the rear end a: never leaves the ground, b: can stay in gear. But, it's always good practice to block the wheels anyway.