Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Evil-Jeep on July 24, 2010, 11:49:10 PM

Title: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: Evil-Jeep on July 24, 2010, 11:49:10 PM: What is the easiest way to do this? do I need to remove the entire shaft? Can I mange to press out the joint while it is in its normal location? or should I just unbolt the knuckle?
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: esi on July 25, 2010, 12:11:51 AM: Take your wheel off. Take your brake off. Unbolt unit bearing. Pull axle shaft out with unit bearing still attached.
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: Evil-Jeep on July 25, 2010, 02:57:32 PM: For the life of me I can not get the ujoint pressed out of the shaft......... Tried a vice, clamp with sockets, tried pounding on it with a rod and 5lb hammer.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: frenchy on July 25, 2010, 03:21:04 PM: Quote from: Evil-Jeep on July 25, 2010, 02:57:32 PM
For the life of me I can not get the ujoint pressed out of the shaft......... Tried a vice, clamp with sockets, tried pounding on it with a rod and 5lb hammer.

Any thoughts?

Removed snap rings ?
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: Evil-Jeep on July 25, 2010, 05:49:31 PM: I did remove the snap rings........ but after giving up on the instructions, or lack there of in the Hanes manual, I tried youtube....... apparently the trick is not to try and hammer the joint thru the yoke, instead it works much better to hammer the cap up into the socket, swap is now complete....... unfortunately this did not solve the problem of my mystery clunking/squeak. :'(
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: Chiram000 on July 26, 2010, 07:17:36 AM: Could be bad Ball Joints?
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: esi on July 26, 2010, 09:02:09 PM: You could also check your LCA bolts to make sure they're tight, and the bushings while you're under there.
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: Evil-Jeep on July 26, 2010, 10:17:06 PM: Quote from: esi on July 26, 2010, 09:02:09 PM
You could also check your LCA bolts to make sure they're tight, and the bushings while you're under there.

Once again youtube was my friend on this, I was watching a video with some very similar sounding clacks, and squeaks; and it was the LCA's.

So now my question is this if I am looking to spend $150 - $200, would I be better off buying a new set of LCA's or should I just go with a bushing kit?

I an sitting with a 2" BB now and hope to swap in a mid price 3.5 to 4 inch lift by the end of next summer.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: esi on July 27, 2010, 12:20:10 AM: Go to PNP and pay around $30 for a set if you're planning to buy a lift in the near future.
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: SilverTJ on July 27, 2010, 12:30:38 AM: I have all of the parts that were removed when my lift went in. Your welcome to the LCA's. I have an 04 TJ and these parts would have had about 60k on them mostly pulled behind an RV.
Title: Re: 03 TJ Front axle Ujoint reomoval.
Post by: BlackYJ on July 27, 2010, 07:35:29 AM: My dad has his stock control arms from his 05 unlimited that came off with about 25K. If you are interested let me know