I think I damaged my jeep

[squeakyclimber]

First time posting on the fourm.

anyways...

Over the weekend I ripped my driver side knuckle off of my jeep. I was able to use the other three wheels and some pushing from another jeep to get it off of the trail.

It is currently sitting on the side of a switch back will the bumper resting onthe drive side front wheel which was ripped off in getting the jeep off the trail.

What do I do? The u joint and axle are destroyed. I plan on getting another knuckle and axle shaft and rebuilding on the trail. How hard are knuckles to put on? Also, could the tabs that the knuckle mounts to on the axle have gotten bent?

Never had a jeep break down such that it couldnt be towed off the trail, so any advice would be sweet.


-Eric Harvey

P.s. Frank i am the kid you met up at wheeler lake with the grey xj. Kind of funny to come here and see you had a damaged knuckle too.

[IntrepidXJ]

sure it's just not the ball joints that went when you broke a ujoint? that's pretty common. replace the ball joints and install the knuckle again??

[ALL PLAY]

If in deed it is the ball joints put them in the freezer for a day. Take them up there in a cooler to keep them cold then install them it will make things alot easier.

[squeakyclimber]

That might be it. Before the tire was fully pulled off the top ball joint was still attached. I didnt get a chance to look at the knuckle because the tire was knuckle side down and pinned by the bent tie rod. I had a family dinner to make so I didnt have much time to check things out too throughly.

if it is just the ball joints, how hard are they to replace?

[squeakyclimber]

also how hard is it to replace a front axle shaft? I have an air locker in front, will I need to get into the diff?

[IntrepidXJ]

well, to get it off the trail, just remove the inner part of the axle shaft, but leave the outer stub shaft intact. you can stuff a rag in the axle tube to prevent gear oil from escaping.

then just replace the ball joints. go to autozone and borrow a ball joint press if you don't have one. bring a big hammer and a big breaker bar with the new joints. it will be a bit easier if you have a CO2 tank and an impact gun available, too

[squeakyclimber]

It seems like i would have to fix it on the trail, as getting it off the trail with three tires would be kind of hard, especially around some of the super tight switch backs.

or did i missunderstand yhte first part of your post?

[IntrepidXJ]

yes, you have to fix the ball joints on the trail

[dabeersboys]

What type of axel are you going to need shafts for?

[trailrunner]

where is your veh.sitting?might be able to help out.

[Frank Z]

Damn Eric that sucks! If my junk wasn't on jackstands I'd help ya out.

Getting the balljoints replaced on the trail won't be too bad if you can get your hands on a balljoint press. I bought mine from Advance Auto parts fro $149.00 and it's a complete set up that doesn't require any modifications to work on the XJ knuckles/balljoints.

Don't worry too much about getting the axle shaft replaced on the trail, that can wait untill you get it home..and no you don't need to get into the diff to do the repairs needed to get you home.

Goodluck and I'm sorry I can't be of more help....I've got alot of good Karma to hand out when I'm up and running again.

[j99xj]

I wouldn't even bother trying to fix it where it currently is. Just get a tow truck to tow it back to your house and fix it there.

[87manche]

I wouldn't even bother trying to fix it where it currently is. Just get a tow truck to tow it back to your house and fix it there.
kinda hard to get a tow truck on the trail.

[jragan]

Get a ball joint press at harbor freight, $40 and have used mine for ball joints and Ujoints works great. I normally do not buy tools from harbor freight, however this is just a special c-clamp with a few cups. You could wait and do the axle once you get it home. just pull the outer and stuff a rag in the tube. however since you have it taken apart I would do it there and get it done.

[IntrepidXJ]

You could wait and do the axle once you get it home. just pull the outer and stuff a rag in the tube. however since you have it taken apart I would do it there and get it done.

his ball joints are broken and his knuckle came off. he has to fix it on the trail before he is able to drive it.

[RockTracXJ]

You got this handled? Need any help?

[jragan]

his ball joints are broken and his knuckle came off. he has to fix it on the trail before he is able to drive it.

Either I was not clear or my whole post was not read. I talk about Pressing out the ball joints, also state "however since you have it taken apart I would do it there and get it done." Sorry if someone miss understood my post.

[squeakyclimber]

sorry bout not responding, had finals at CU last week so I was a bit preocupied.

I went up yesterday and took off the knuckle. It appears that the ball joints are what broke and I just need to replace them and the brake line. At car quest today I picked up the new ball joints and the brake line.

In the next few days I am going back up to give a try at getting it fixed. On a side note- It would suck If I didnt have a cj 2a to get back up to the jeep. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Now to go strip the knuckle of the old ball joints and see how all this stuff comes apart...

Peace
-Eric

[IntrepidXJ]

make sure you bring a ball joint press

[Frank Z]

Eric,
Sent ya PM...

[Frank Z]

Eric,
Did you get your rig off the trail? How are the repairs coming along?