Front axle U joints

[Raven77]

Ok so i finally got my 4 inch lift on and took my YJ to the alignment place. They told me they couldnt do an alignment til i replace the steering shaft( said it was the reason for the wiggle in my steering wheel). So i ordered a replacement one today. Seems straight forward enough.

Then they said i also had to replace the u joints in my front driveshaft and front axle. I'm new to doing anything with axles but my buddy and i have done motor swaps and other such things so I'm asking on a 1 to 10 how difficult is it to replace them myself?

and also what else will i need to replace while i have the shafts pulled?

i think i remember hearing something about upgrading shafts with the ones out of a ZJ but i could be wrong if it is true is it worth doing while i have my shafts out?

Thanks for your help!

[LeadFoot]

The job is easy, but difficulty mutiplies when the rust factor kicks in. You are talking about bigger u joint upgrade, which would require new shafts. Unless you plan on going 33s/35s in the near future, the upgrade will not net much benefit. Easy stuff compared to an engine swap. I'd put it at a 2, 3 with heavy rust.

[drgonzo]

When I did mine, I upgraded my shafts from the 260x joints to the 297x. I just ordered new shafts from 4WD Hardware with the joints in them. At the same time I installed new hub bearings. Swapped both sides in about an hour. Its alot easier when replacing the old stuff with new. Might be more money than you want to spend though. As far as your driveshaft goes, why would you need to replace the u-joints in those for an alignment? That would have nothing to do with it. Where are you going for alignment?

[Raven77]

As far as your driveshaft goes, why would you need to replace the u-joints in those for an alignment? That would have nothing to do with it. Where are you going for alignment?

i asked myself the same question on the way out of there this morning lol... it was a place called strongs in south windsor... which came highly recommended by a local fabricator... but i"m iffy

[LeadFoot]

When I did mine, I upgraded my shafts from the 260x joints to the 297x. I just ordered new shafts from 4WD Hardware with the joints in them. At the same time I installed new hub bearings. Swapped both sides in about an hour. Its alot easier when replacing the old stuff with new. Might be more money than you want to spend though. As far as your driveshaft goes, why would you need to replace the u-joints in those for an alignment? That would have nothing to do with it. Where are you going for alignment?

If they are an evil shop, sometimes they see what they can get away with, regardless if the part was faulty or not. If it's a regular shop, they look at the whole vehicle to see what it could possibly need. More work done = more $ brought in for the day.

[parrotdog]

U-joint has nothing to do with the alignment of your wheel, find another shop

[dirt worshipper]

Yep, should be alignable despite ujoint problems. But you may need to replace them, simple and easy, especially if you have the wherewithall to swap an engine.

About the axle swap, can the rear axles be swapped as well? I want to run 33's or 35's.
Seems like it would be easier to swap the axles rather than the whole housing.

[drgonzo]

Upgrading the rear axle can be done but its a waste of time and money. The axles are weak and are C-clip which sucks and the housing itself is weak.

[Raven77]

Replaced the steering shaft today.. lower u joint in it was so gone it wasnt even funny. its amazing how much better my steering is now. i had to unbolt the gear box to get it out because the shaft wouldnt collapse(telescoping shaft) but only took me like an hour... not bad at all.... now moving forward to the axle ujoints

[Kirksjeep]

If you upgrade the front shafts from those from a 96 or newer XJ or TJ or even some ZJ, you will also need to install an inner seal. There are some decent write ups on this, and the seal can be purchased from NAPA for a few bucks. The larger 297 U-joints are about 30% stronger then the 260's.

I just bought the parts to finish this swap and they should be here next week. I have a 95 YJ Dana 30 so I already have he bigger U-joints, but I wanted to do away with the vacuum disconnect so I picked up a passenger side axle out of a 98 XJ. I ordered some Alloy USA X-joints and some outer axle seals which are required but are nice for deep water crossings.