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

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.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Justin M wrote:
>
> 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?
 

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.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Justin M wrote:
>
> 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?
 

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.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Justin M wrote:
>
> 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:1163270863.933838.37550@e3g2000cwe.googlegrou ps.com:

> 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. ;)

If you can put it on a lift it shouldn't be a problem.

> I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it
> on front only), and the vibration remains.

But the axles and wheels, etc. are still turning. If you put it on a
lift and remove a drive shaft that axle won't be turning and should
give you a much better test.

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

"Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1163270863.933838.37550@e3g2000cwe.googlegrou ps.com:

> 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. ;)

If you can put it on a lift it shouldn't be a problem.

> I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it
> on front only), and the vibration remains.

But the axles and wheels, etc. are still turning. If you put it on a
lift and remove a drive shaft that axle won't be turning and should
give you a much better test.

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

"Justin M" <xtexatl@gmail.com> wrote in
news:1163270863.933838.37550@e3g2000cwe.googlegrou ps.com:

> 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. ;)

If you can put it on a lift it shouldn't be a problem.

> I've already disconnected the drive-shafts (including driving it
> on front only), and the vibration remains.

But the axles and wheels, etc. are still turning. If you put it on a
lift and remove a drive shaft that axle won't be turning and should
give you a much better test.