Muswagon

Hey there. Did the front brakes on my sisters 98 Cherokee. Was shocked at the wear and pending massive issues it has with front wheel u joints, and whatever bearings used to exist at the end of the axel tubes.

The Jeep has 100,000 kms (60,000 miles). Problem is it was not maintained at all, and is literally rotting away.

Anyway, back to question. It has what I would call ujoints on each wheel, but when I look up the part (rock auto) it looks like a CV joint and shaft if you buy the whole unit. When looking up only CV joint it says not compatible with 4 cap u joint.

I assume I have to go with full new half shafts/cv joints? Are these a direct replacement for what I can only assume was the 'old' style CV's??

Thanks in advance

md21722

98 Cherokee axle shafts take Spicer 5-760X u-joints. Bearings are unit hub assemblies from Timken or SKF available at Auto Zone, NAPA, Amazon, Rock Auto etc. The CV style with boots may have been used on Grand Cherokees.

Muswagon

Sorry, I am refering to the bearings in the axle tube itself. When I turn the rotor by hand, the wheel u joints have massive play, and so does the axle at the end of the differential housing.

md21722

There are no bearings in the front axle tube of a Dana 30.

Sounds like you need unit hub/bearing assemblies and/or u-joints.

For reference, these are the bearings in a Dana 30:

inner, outer pinion
left, right carrier

(all of these are in the differential case itself)

left, right unit hub assembly

(these bolt into the knuckles with 3, 13mm 12-point bolts)

In other words, 6 bearings total, wheel to wheel.

Muswagon

Sounding like just the U joints. I am still trying to visualize the axle floating after the u joints all the way until it reaches the carrier.

How hard is it to change the axle u joints? I am decently handy, but i want to avoid a nightmare if I can.

Muswagon

I have watched a few youtube videos on it. To get the shaft out, do I need to open the diff cover to remove any clips, or will the the shafts simply come out when the hub is removed?

NM-XJ

I did my front axle U Joints today. Once you get the hub off (and that may be no easy feat if it's badly rusted), the axle shafts just slide out of the axle tube. No clips in the diff, but do be careful as you pull them to not damage the seals.

I found getting the U Joints out to be a massive pain. Even with minimal rust, they wouldn't budge. Be prepared with a stout ball joint/u joint tool, a big impact and a BFH.

As md21722 said, Spicer 5-760X U Joints go on the axle. Best of luck!

CCKen

Take the axles to a shop to have the u-joints replaced. Most shops will only charge around $10-$15 each for labor to replace them.


Edit: You may want to read through this thread: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/stu...b-nuts-211540/

JUSTANOTHER_1

do your self a favor and buy 6 new bolts that go from the back of the bearing into the knuckle. they are 12 point bolt and will round out pretty bad. we sell them all the time here at the dealer. part# 34201535 qty 6. the axle does just slide out. no need to remove the front cover.

Muswagon

Can't find the Spicer ones in town, any thoughts on using the MOOG cross ref part? It is the 371 with a 1.188 OD cup so should be the right one.

JUSTANOTHER_1

the moog 371 will work, thats what i used on mine to get it on the road again