CV joint to U-joint swap completed!

arveetek · 07-26-2008, 01:36 PM

My 93 JZ with 249 TC came stock with CV joints in the front axle. They were both in bad shape and made clicking noises when turning. After wheeling for the 1st time, the right had joint gave out.

Lucky for me, I have a buddy who has a spare ZJ for parts with u-joint shafts in the front axle. He said I could have them if I pulled them out. So, I was able to pull the whole front shaft assemblies out, including the hubs, so that saved me a step.

It took me literally 20 minutes to pull my old shafts and probably 15 minutes to install the new u-joint shafts. (It took me longer to pull the u-joint shafts out of the parts jeep....the bolts were pretty well stuck.)

Thanks to this thread:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/how-replace-axle-shaft-wheel-hub-bearing-assembly-w-pics-377208/

The whole job went really easy. I jacked up the front end, popped the wheels, brake calipers, and rotors off, removed the three bolts on the backside of the knuckle, and pulled the shafts out. Very, very simple.

Now I have u-joints in the front, and after hard wheeling at Disney, OK, this past weekend, I didn't break anything and I have no more clicking noises!

I was going to get pictures of the swap, but I was in a hurry and didn't take the time.

Thanks for the great info and help ya'll!

Casey

j.love · 07-26-2008, 05:25 PM

If you still have the 249 in there you might run into binding problems, 249's don't like universal axle shafts.

CLNinja · 07-26-2008, 05:28 PM

yeap ^^^^ like said above

the ZJs with the 249 TC came with CV shafts for a reason... you might run into binding with the ujoint shafts... and you most likely will have vibes from them

Sporer65 · 07-26-2008, 08:49 PM

I doubt you would run into any problems running u-jointed shafts with the 249 case. It isn't like with a 242 the u-joints aren't rotating at all and the owner's manual says that with a 242, you can run in Full Time 4WD all of the time if you wanted to, so the u-joints must not cause a problem then.

arveetek · 07-26-2008, 09:25 PM

No problem for me....I do have the 249 but this Jeep rarely sees over 25 mph! Vibes are not an issue, and wheel hop when turning is no big deal when playing on the trails.

This is a trail-only rig.

Casey

j.love · 07-26-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arveetek

No problem for me....I do have the 249 but this Jeep rarely sees over 25 mph! Vibes are not an issue, and wheel hop when turning is no big deal when playing on the trails.

This is a trail-only rig.

Casey

Well then, congratulations on the mod!

**EMTimZJ** · 07-26-2008, 09:39 PM

The 249 and u-jointed front axle shafts are fine. Some vehicles came stock from the factory with this combo, you will be fine.

**ratmonkey** · 07-27-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMTimZJ

The 249 and u-jointed front axle shafts are fine. Some vehicles came stock from the factory with this combo, you will be fine.

they will bind up on sharp turns. trust me.

**Virmagicus** · 07-27-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratmonkey

they will bind up on sharp turns. trust me.

Doesn't it mostly show up on asphalt ? That was my impression with a few of the ZJ owners here on the forum. This is a trail rig, I think some washers to limit FSL would not hurt and he would be just fine.

Casper4x4 · 07-27-2008, 01:51 PM

nice i am gonna be doing this swap this up coming week i think, thats for the post! Would you care if i hit you up for more questiosn though?