Bad U joint?

[Jo6pak]

Bad U joint? (edit: CV axle)

I know this question has probably been answered a hundred times, but the search funtion led me nowhere.:disgust:

Yesterday I was doing a little wheeling on logging roads on my buddies farm. After a few failed attempts to climb a particularlt muddy hill, I noticed a clicking sound eminating from the front underside of the Jeep.

Here's the evidence
1. The sound is only audible when applying power while in 4wd. No clicking while in 2wd.
2. Seems to come and go. Maybe a case of the open diff applying power to one wheel or the other?
3. Sound gets worse when load is applied, such as climbing a hill. Not as noticable when desending or driving level.

With my limited knowledge and slow intellect, I belive it's a bad U-joint.
Am I on the right track?

How do I determine which side? Inner or outer?
And is it OK to drive as long as I don't use 4wd?

 

[ridenby]

Might want to think CV axle.

 

[Jo6pak]

Might want to think CV axle.

Did I mention."limited knowledge and slow intellect"?p:
I used the worng term for the parts I was thinking of.

So back to the questions..

How do I determine which side? Inner or outer?

And is it OK to drive as long as I don't use 4wd?

How hard it is to swap in new axles?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I would guess it is the CV joint on the transfer case end of the front drive shaft. Crawl under the Jeep and look at the joint; the boot is probably trashed and the joint has gone to crap. A bad CV there will click just as you described - in 4WD there is additional stress on it so that may be why you're noticing the clicking while wheeling.

Fix that one first - it's the easiest and cheapest to replace (less than $100) and will probably fix the issue. Check out the How-To's for a step-by-step on the replacement.

Bob

 

[Jo6pak]

Good call, Bob. I just slid under the Jeep. Just as you suggested, the boot at the TC looks bad.

Also found twacks "how-to" write-up.

Now I just need to get the parts and find the time

Thanks:happy160:

 

[Jo6pak]

Another stupid question

OK, once again showing my ignorance here.:shrug:

What is the part I need to get for this fix. Is it called the driveshaft head?

I've got a buddy that will help me change it, I just need to make sure I get the right term for the part I need.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

OK, once again showing my ignorance here.:shrug:

What is the part I need to get for this fix. Is it called the driveshaft head?

I've got a buddy that will help me change it, I just need to make sure I get the right term for the part I need.

Yep, it's the driveshaft head.

Here is a link to the online shop where I bought mine - and they've DROPPED the price to $65! arty36:

Watch the vid on that page - kinda simplistic but gives you an idea of how to replace the head. May take some strong persuasion to get the head off but be patient and it'll be fine.

Let us know how it turns out for you!

Bob

 

[Ry' N Jen]

You guy's are lucky they sell those in the U.S.A.
No such luck here in B.C. You have to buy a brand new front driveshaft from the dealer
for $840.00! No aftermarket support.
Hence getting a custom made front driveshaft... Mind you, it was less than half the price
of an OEM driveshaft!

 

[Jo6pak]

Thanks again Bob.

I need to get it fixed before the morels start popping up. Some of my best spots are not easily accessible without 4wd.

Ry, couldn't you just have a "breakdown" while visitng friends in Washington state:smokin:

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Thanks again Bob.

I need to get it fixed before the morels start popping up. Some of my best spots are not easily accessible without 4wd.

Ry, couldn't you just have a "breakdown" while visitng friends in Washington state:smokin:

All our friends in Washington state moved either to Arizona or back to Alaska!
And every time I post a 4X4 trip or camping outing for local Washintonians...
No ones interested!

 

[Wildebeest]

The CV joints are available in Canada. Dorman is making them, front/rear.

Canada Parts Online - rb932301
(This parts place also has remanned driveshafts)

My local parts place was able to order the rear cv joint next day for me.

You guy's are lucky they sell those in the U.S.A.
No such luck here in B.C. You have to buy a brand new front driveshaft from the dealer
for $840.00! No aftermarket support.
Hence getting a custom made front driveshaft... Mind you, it was less than half the price
of an OEM driveshaft!

 

[Ry' N Jen]

The CV joints are available in Canada. Dorman is making them, front/rear.

Canada Parts Online - rb932301
(This parts place also has remanned driveshafts)

My local parts place was able to order the rear cv joint next day for me.

Ya the rear one, but not the one at the front of the drive shaft.
Trust me, if I could of replaced the front one I would have.

 

[Wildebeest]

Front
Canada Parts Online - rb932302

Some greasable u-joints like you've done is pretty sweet though.

Ya the rear one, but not the one at the front of the drive shaft.
Trust me, if I could of replaced the front one I would have.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Front
Canada Parts Online - rb932302

Some greasable u-joints like you've done is pretty sweet though.

Yes, I see that!
But like I said, at the time nobody had them locally in stock and I just called a couple of local parts house here for the heck of it and they all tell me the same thing.
Chrysler only part, not available locally as an aftermarket part here!

Oh well, I've got a better setup now. Also less expensive to replace U joints than CV joints.

Oh, and that company "Parts Canada Online" is U.S. based out of California.
Not a Canadian company.