Front axle shaft replacement q's

My Driver's side axle shaft is in need of replacement.

The U-joint started barking really good in the mud today, and the standard assess the damage walk around revealed a leaking axle seal on the same side.

I have never changed one on a XJ before.

On the Ford, all it took was, remove wheel,caliper,hub. Slide the shaft back and then down and out. Then reverse it.

I know the solid axle tube makes a difference but does it make a huge one?


Any other work I should do when I have everything apart?

Any special tools required?

It's pretty simple. Remove wheel, caliper, Hub nut 36mm, 3 12point 13mm bollts. Might need to use a flat screw driver, to separte the hub/bearing unit , from the knuckle. Then you can just pull the shaft out. Install is just the reverse, just becareful sliding the shafts in & out, so not to damadge the seals. Other work? If you want to install a traction device, your 1/2 way there, as you'll need to pull both axles to get the carrier out. You could check the brakes, & if you want get some of those DTS axle seals.

Rob

This is a good website for general Jeep info (although it is actually geared toward Wranglers)

http://www.stu-offroad.com/index.shtml


Here's his page on the D30 U-joint replacement (since I haven't done it, I don't know if there are big differences between the Wrangler and Cherokee):

http://www.stu-offroad.com/misc/u-joint-1.htm