Front Driveshaft problems.

[CommandoXJ96]

My frontdriveshaft made a bunch of squeaking and then over the weekend turned into clunking. I pulled it apart and replaced all of the u-joints. Re-installed, squeaking was gone, play and clunking was bad as ever. A very smart friend told me the ball must be shot... surely enough - the spring and bearings are missing (i didnt know it ever had them so I had no clue when I first looked at it while replacing the u-joints) Anybody here know a good source in tucson for just the needle bearings and a spring? My friend recommended Precision Parts on 10th avenue that I'll be checking out tommorow. I don't have alot of experience with driveshafts or these double-cardon ball deals... But I think the ball/yoke deal is all ok. is there anyway to tell if its bad? I'd like to re-use it if possible becuase I believe its not exactly a cheap piece. Thanks in advance,
Dan

edit: if anybodys grenaded a front ds and was about to get rid of it; ill take the ball-centering deal ;)

[FLAGXJ]

The same thing happened to me. I just went to the auto recycler's yard and bought another front drive shaft. I talked to some people and they said it wasn't worth trying to rebuild the double cardan. They said that there was a strong possibility it would happen again within a couple of hundred miles. I don't know if anyone here has any other experience with this. I have about 5 thousand miles on the one I got from the junk yard and no problems yet.

[rockwerks]

yep junkyard shaft is the way to go

[bigazxj]

theres a xj in the pick and save on camino dela tierra
its 4x4 im not sure if the front shaft is there theres also a mj but i think its 2wd. for $1 its worth taking a look.
also chucks trucks always has xjs ask for jim at the counter hes a great guy to deal with. dont forget the 5/16 wrench


justin

[CommandoXJ96]

i dont know that bearings and the spring warrant a rebuild of the double cardan... (but then again I dunno, and maybes that is considered a rebuild). i mean, it seems the ball-piece was fine one day and then not the next - as if the bearings and spring disappeared overnight. (though the u-joints were on their way out for a while). i know you guys had luck with new shafts... and heard it wasnt worth fixing the old ones; but now im just wondering if anyone here with an XJ had any luck with the cheap fix im lookin at.

edit; thanks for the tip justin

[TUFFXJ]

if the ball and spring are gone that means the cup the ball fits into is shot as well and even with a "new" one it won't fit tight. Junk Yard is the best bet but if you have a few bucks get a servicable CV joint cuz the stockers do dry out alot here. I went through 2 before I had it done with a servicable (Greeseable) and no more issues..

[CommandoXJ96]

well, i guess thats what i needed to hear... I was kinda hoping a magicaly cheap solution would be the answer was all. I guess its time to cruise the junkyards once again. does anyone know what a reasonable price for a junkyard shaft would be? I'm seeing a couple hundred bucks for new ones/rebuilt ones, so I have no clue what a junkyard shaft would go for.

Edit: as far as compatability... I've got a 242/Auto in the 96. I'm guessing the 231 Front shaft is the same if I pull it off an Auto right? Any year auto basically except 84-86 242s? (I hear they have true CVs instead of double cardans).

[8mycsh]

can it be rebuilt, by either simmons or tucson diff??

[XJ20]

The center ball joint wears out and falls apart because it’s hard to lube. The dust cup is prolly gone, too. My dust cup is removed. I thought I could get another 1° or so of operating angle with it gone but I am still not sure how much I did get. Those cv’s are only good for 26° operating angle. When they operate a lot past that angle things go south. Mine is ground out for more clearance, about 30° oa.

You need to replace the whole double cardon cv. I think I paid about $45 at precision products. Can’t remember. Also if you buy the cv from tim he will install it for a lower fee. I think $25. They’re a pain in the butt to install. You need a needle adapter for your grease gun. Even that doesn’t work well. I made my own adapter.

Call tim the driveshaft guy and ask. I get all my spicer and neapco stuff there.
Precision Products 882-8338.http://www.dakotacom.net/~jeepster/tipshades.gif

[CommandoXJ96]

i actually just got a new driveshaft on from a salvage yard xj. joint seems to be in great shape though, and i'm not feeling any clunking and i dont hear any angry-bird noises coming from it - so i think im good. :)