axle U-joint question

S

Semper Fi

NAXJA Forum User

Location

PA

• Apr 23, 2007

• #1

When I turn left or right my Jeep makes a clicking noise and it can sometimes be heard when going in a straight line. I'm guessing that it's the U-joints in the axle, am I right? If I am right which ones do I order the greasable ones or the non-greaseable ones? In the Essential cataloge it has 2 different ones listed, a 260X and a 297X, how do I know which one I have? Thanks for the help.

 

GrayT

NAXJA Forum User

Location

CSprings

• Apr 23, 2007

• #2

First, what year is your XJ? This will determine which size you need.

Secondly, you should be able to physically see a broken U-joint if you look at it.

My personal opinion: Don't go with a greaseable joint unless it's a trail-only rig.

 

Yucca-Man

NAXJA Member # 683

Location

Castle Rock, CO

• Apr 23, 2007

• #3

Semper Fi said:

In the Essential cataloge it has 2 different ones listed, a 260X and a 297X, how do I know which one I have? Thanks for the help.

Click to expand...

260x or 297x depends what you're running - check out http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/history.html#axles and figure out what matches your circumstance, then go measure your endcaps.

1 1/16" endcap = 260x
1 3/16" endcap = 297x, upgradable to the 760x

Don't buy them through Essentials, just go down to your NAPA and get the Spicer units. Go ungreasable, but grease them thoroughly when installing.

 

S

Semper Fi

NAXJA Forum User

Location

PA

• Apr 23, 2007

• #4

My Jeep is a 2001 and if clicking noise isn't coming from the axle U-joints then where would it be coming from? could it be that all of the grease has been washed out of them?
I did look at your site yuccaman and I will take your advice on where to buy them, thanks

 

Yucca-Man

NAXJA Member # 683

Location

Castle Rock, CO

• Apr 24, 2007

• #5

If they're dry, they won't necessarily look broken, but they can and will make a racket like you've described. If they're original to the Jeep, it's a safe bet that it's time to replace them. Look carefully at the unit bearing condition when you replace the u-joints though.

 

S

Semper Fi

NAXJA Forum User

Location

PA

• Apr 25, 2007

• #6

I bet that is what is wrong then because everything looks fine. I will check out the unit bearings also, thanks for the help

 

C

CO_crawler

NAXJA Forum User

Location

In a Moon Crater

• Apr 25, 2007

• #7

not trying to thread jack but I may have a bad ujoint too. It sounds really loud and some vibrations especially when backing with wheel cranked and at stops and starts on occassion. Tried moving the rear drive shaft but doesnt budge. Any ideas? Cant see anything wrong either.