New question regarding removing front half shafts.

bwtucker · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:25 am

Please pardon the noob question...I did search a little. I've been getting a weird noise in the front end of my 02 for a while now. I replace the drivers side bearing and still have the noise. Tomorrow I'll be replacing the pass side bearing. If I also pull the half shafts out until I can afford to get 2 more.........will anything drain out of the diff housing and/or is there a way to rig it up to drive without them in for a week or 2. My daily driver Saturn blew it's motor today so now i have to drive the jeep to work and I have been getting 14 mpg highway which I attribute to what ever is grinding in the front. I did a tune up on it and i'm still getting horrible mileage. I figure if I pull the halfshafts I can eliminate all of that front drive train crap and keep it out of 4WD for the time being until I get everything replaced. Please let me know if there is something that can be done or if I'm being a complete Beavis.

I really need to invest in a factory service manual I guess.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:36 am

You will have gear oil leak out bof the front diff by pulling the front CV shafts which you will need to plug after draining the front diff(so junk will not get into the diff).You will need to pull the front driveshaft also.I've been running without the front diff,CV's,and driveshaft since memorial day last year with no problems.

bwtucker · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:59 am

Can you get plugs some where or do I need to make some up?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:04 am

bwtucker wrote:

Can you get plugs some where or do I need to make some up?

Shove rags in the holes.

Boblemoche · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:06 am

why remove the front Drive shaft

Quote:

You will have gear oil leak out bof the front diff by pulling the front CV shafts which you will need to plug after draining the front diff(so junk will not get into the diff).You will need to pull the front driveshaft also.I've been running without the front diff,CV's,and driveshaft since memorial day last year with no problems.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:10 am

Boblemoche wrote:

why remove the front Drive shaft

Quote:

You will have gear oil leak out bof the front diff by pulling the front CV shafts which you will need to plug after draining the front diff(so junk will not get into the diff).You will need to pull the front driveshaft also.I've been running without the front diff,CV's,and driveshaft since memorial day last year with no problems.

To 100% make sure that the front diff does not spin in any form,it still can with the driveshaft installed still,no power but to it but by inertia from the t-case can transfer some spinning motion the the un-coupled front driveshaft.

Boblemoche · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:16 am

you could zip tie it instead of removing it :lol:

. seriously tho I ran more than 1k miles with my D shaf hagning on the exaust with some wire. I had no problems but I will admit I was asking for troubles :roll:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:18 am

Boblemoche wrote:

you could zip tie it instead of removing it :lol:

. seriously tho I ran more than 1k miles with my D shaf hagning on the exaust with some wire. I had no problems but I will admit I was asking for troubles :roll:

And should not be recommended to anyone not willing to deal with what can happen if said driveshaft falls while driving.

bwtucker · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:56 pm

I replaced the pass side bearing today (did the drivers side a month ago). The spindle was a witch to get out. I had to use a block of wood and a sledge to drive it out. My dead blow wouldn't even budge it. I decided not to pull the shafts today so I had to put it back in the new bearing. I don't know what the hell was wrong with it but it did not want to go in. I wire brushed it and slightly greased it and the threads still deformed trying to pull it in with the axle nut. I did notice that the whole end of the shaft was discolored from heat. That bearing must have been getting pretty hot. I haven't driven it yet to see if the noise is gone but we'll see.

bwtucker · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:15 am

On the way home tonight the noise turned into a pretty loud buzzing that went away when I would make even a slight left turn but then come back when going straight or turning right. I'm pretty sure it's the drivers side halfshaft which is what I said from the very beginning but was disagreed with by a couple of "mechanics" in my area. Are these removable without taking the knuckle off,? I doubt it but figured I'd ask. I think I'm going to pull them tomorrow but I don't really have enough time before work to pull the knuckles and all. Thanks for all the help so far guys!!!

bwtucker · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:28 pm

put it up on ramps today and found that the seal around the drivers side halfshaft is leaking like crazy. I'm guessing that the diff is low on fluid. I know that the there is a fill plug on the top of the front cover but I guess I have to take the skid plate off to get to it. Any recommendations on the best fluid to use?

New question regarding removing front half shafts.

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