Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

I'm still troubleshooting a vibration problem in my TJ (see previous
threads), and was wondering if it's possible for me to pull both inner
axle shafts, disconnect/remove the front driveshaft, and still drive
the Jeep?

As far as I can tell the front axle shafts don't hold the Jeep up --
the wheel bearings (and those three bolts) do.

Obviously I'd lose diff fluid in the front, but since it won't be
spinning, I don't see the harm in that as long as I refill it after I
put everything back together.

I'm trying to eliminate the front axle shafts as my vibration source.
They're the only component in the front that I haven't ruled out or
replaced. I just want to get them eliminated before I tackle the rear
44, which is a bit more involved than the front.

If it ends up being the rear (which I hope it will be, since D44 axles
are a heck of a lot cheaper than the D30 fronts), I'll just end up
replacing both axle shafts in the rear (I wanted to do that anyway)
with something stronger than stock.

Thanks;
Justin

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

"Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1163269992.933949.221380@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:

> I'm trying to eliminate the front axle shafts as my vibration
> source. They're the only component in the front that I haven't
> ruled out or replaced. I just want to get them eliminated before
> I tackle the rear 44, which is a bit more involved than the front.

Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
up.....

Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

"Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1163269992.933949.221380@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:

> I'm trying to eliminate the front axle shafts as my vibration
> source. They're the only component in the front that I haven't
> ruled out or replaced. I just want to get them eliminated before
> I tackle the rear 44, which is a bit more involved than the front.

Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
up.....

Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

"Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1163269992.933949.221380@b28g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com:

> I'm trying to eliminate the front axle shafts as my vibration
> source. They're the only component in the front that I haven't
> ruled out or replaced. I just want to get them eliminated before
> I tackle the rear 44, which is a bit more involved than the front.

Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
up.....

Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

It vibrates between 60 and 70mph -- I don't think anyone would feel
comfortable with the wheels spinning that fast while it's in the air.
;)

I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it on
front only), and the vibration remains. Already replaced the bearings
and u-joints in the front, pulled and held the front axles up to a
straight edge, no obvious bends. Balanced and rebalanced the tires.
Reproduced the vibration with the transmission and transfer case in
neutral (engine at 600rpm). Replaced trackbar in the front.

I have a strong feeling the problem is in the back now (I'm out of
moving parts in the front), although the vibrations still feel like
they're coming from the front passenger side.

I wish I could stick a camera under there to see which wheel is
bouncing. :)

j


XS11E wrote:
> Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
> all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
> at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
> up.....
>
> Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
> vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
> time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

It vibrates between 60 and 70mph -- I don't think anyone would feel
comfortable with the wheels spinning that fast while it's in the air.
;)

I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it on
front only), and the vibration remains. Already replaced the bearings
and u-joints in the front, pulled and held the front axles up to a
straight edge, no obvious bends. Balanced and rebalanced the tires.
Reproduced the vibration with the transmission and transfer case in
neutral (engine at 600rpm). Replaced trackbar in the front.

I have a strong feeling the problem is in the back now (I'm out of
moving parts in the front), although the vibrations still feel like
they're coming from the front passenger side.

I wish I could stick a camera under there to see which wheel is
bouncing. :)

j


XS11E wrote:
> Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
> all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
> at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
> up.....
>
> Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
> vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
> time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

It vibrates between 60 and 70mph -- I don't think anyone would feel
comfortable with the wheels spinning that fast while it's in the air.
;)

I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it on
front only), and the vibration remains. Already replaced the bearings
and u-joints in the front, pulled and held the front axles up to a
straight edge, no obvious bends. Balanced and rebalanced the tires.
Reproduced the vibration with the transmission and transfer case in
neutral (engine at 600rpm). Replaced trackbar in the front.

I have a strong feeling the problem is in the back now (I'm out of
moving parts in the front), although the vibrations still feel like
they're coming from the front passenger side.

I wish I could stick a camera under there to see which wheel is
bouncing. :)

j


XS11E wrote:
> Try something easier and simpler first, lift the vehicle enough to get
> all 4 wheels off the ground, a lift would be nice but you could do it
> at home if you're very careful and have some SOLID way to block it
> up.....
>
> Run it in gear at the speeds where the vibration usually occurs. If it
> vibrates then you can remove the front and rear drive shafts one at a
> time and see if the vibration is gone.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

Well that's scary. :) Scratch that idea. heh

j

Mike Romain wrote:
> You 'must' leave the outer axle and yoke bolted onto the hub. This is
> all that holds the bearings in. If you drive without it, the front
> wheel 'will' fall off, I have seen it happen.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

Well that's scary. :) Scratch that idea. heh

j

Mike Romain wrote:
> You 'must' leave the outer axle and yoke bolted onto the hub. This is
> all that holds the bearings in. If you drive without it, the front
> wheel 'will' fall off, I have seen it happen.

Re: Can I remove front axle shafts and still drive a 02 TJ?
 

Well that's scary. :) Scratch that idea. heh

j

Mike Romain wrote:
> You 'must' leave the outer axle and yoke bolted onto the hub. This is
> all that holds the bearings in. If you drive without it, the front
> wheel 'will' fall off, I have seen it happen.