od1nixer

I've been going through this 97 2 door Sport and replacing/upgrading as I go, and about all I have left is the front axle. I'm going to put a locker in it to match the rear, but my question is what other wear items can I replace? I've heard there are inner seals in the diff. U-joints? I replaced the bearings in the hubs already. This is the first 4wd I've ever really torn into, so I'm just trying to put a list together so I can order parts. Are the u-joints the same 1310's as the rear driveshaft?

IJM

The front axle u-joints are different from the ones used in the driveshaft mainly in that the retaining clips are on the inside and not the outside. I don't have the exact part number handy. Since you're doing a front locker, you'll have to pull the axle shafts (so the u-joints will be easy) and you'll be taking the differential apart. While you're in there, I'd do the inner axle seals as well. You have to remove the whole diff carrier, but you're mostly doing that anyway. Mine was a ***** to get out, but I stuck it in the freezer overnight, and it popped right back in. There are good how-tos for the axle seals on Youtube.

Old Man Minimalist

recently finished a full rebuild of my Dana 30. Here are the parts I replaced:

Steering knuckles
Upper and lower ball joints
Both control arm bushings
Pinion and carrier bearings
Pinion seal
Pinion yoke
One axle shaft
Both axle u-joints
Differential axle seals
I ended up stripping it down to the bare housing, having it sandblasted and then I painted it. I also replaced the brakes while I was at it.





It was supposed to be a quick swap. I bought the Jeep with the incorrect axle (CAD) and it came with the donor HP D30 which supposedly was good to go. Once I got into it, I found out it was anything but good to go. Hopefully it is fine now.

od1nixer

Rockauto has a ridiculous number of different part numbers for u-joints. Any idea which is correct for front axles? Does the front driveshaft use the same 1310’s as the rear?

So just inner seals? I take it there are no outer seals?

Old Man Minimalist

I used the 5-760X Axle U-joints. Supposedly since they don't have a grease zerk, they are stronger. Not that I need it for my use of the Jeep but it is less fittings for me to grease. Since you are putting a locker in the front, you might want to go with these.

Not sure on the driveshaft PN.

No outer seals, just the two next to the carrier.

Fjord

This looks great. Nice work.

Old Man Minimalist

Thanks. It won't stay that way but I just can't take something apart and put it back together again with dirty stuff. Anything I touch gets the "treatment", lol.