Front Propeller (Drive) Shaft CV Joint/Boot Replacement

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Dec 06, 2013 12:17 am

Found CV joint boot on the front drive or propeller shift completely gone on the transfer case end. Was told by dealer parts person when I inquired that on our Jeep Liberty the front drive shaft or propeller shaft CV Joint/Boot was not serviceable and that you had to buy the whole shaft assembly and replace it at well over $300. :furious:

NOT True!

Found and ordered the replacement boot from "Driveshaft Parts" part No. ME807BK. Removed the shaft and upon dis-assembly discovered the CV Joint cage was broken.

Then ordered the whole CV Joint/Boot kit from Detroit Axle Part No. 89234hf23. Very good parts kit, came with Neoprene Boot, CV joint, end cap, new bolts, washers, boot clamp, and 3% moly grease.

Notes of interest: :arrow:

You have to pry open the original metal boot flange and metal end seal flange to get them off and be able to access the E-clip to remove the CV joint. I actually cut part of it open using a air driven wizz wheel. If the CV Joint is not broken, it would be a simple remove, clean and repack the joint and replace the inside boot along with the end seal cap. Once the new parts are installed on the shaft, you must use some 8mm x 1.25 nuts to clamp everything back together and then using a small hammer, re-bend the new boot and end cap flanges into the groves on the CV joint in order to reseal everything. I did use some silicone sealer on the inner flange surfaces to fill any gaps and ensure a good tight grease seal. I also used some locktite on the CV Joint bolts to ensure they stay put when I re installed the shaft.

Pictures of process:

Bad.Broken Parts

New Parts

Joint Removed

New U-Joint Clamped with bolts/nuts

After rebending/resealing flanges

Finished Joint

Back installed on Jeep

mtnman21 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 08, 2013 2:33 pm

Thanks!! And perfect timing for me to read. Recently picked up a drive line vibration and while changing oil yesterday inspected front drive shaft and saw the "sling line" from the TC end of drive shaft. Looks like I will be following you lead on this fix!!

Update- bought this same part from deteriorate and installed just as indicated. It didn't come with instructions so bing this post was great. I used rtv to make a good seal on the flange them ball pinged it for a tight seal.

Nice write up and tech advice.

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:24 pm

I have the shaft out right now and can't get the flanges loose (hammer/chisel/PB Blaster, etc.). Has anyone been able to get these apart without cutting them open? I can get the hack saw out, but was trying to do it non-destructively...

Dan

Leeann · **Joined:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 pm **Posts:** 523

I stuck a small screwdriver in one of the bolt holes and pried it up, then the next hole, then the next hole, then the next hole....then around again.

Finally popped the sucker off.

EDIT: you do mean just the top cover, right?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:40 pm

dgeist wrote:

I have the shaft out right now and can't get the flanges loose (hammer/chisel/PB Blaster, etc.). Has anyone been able to get these apart without cutting them open? I can get the hack saw out, but was trying to do it non-destructively...

Dan

Dan, you got to drive a medium sized screwdriver or small punch under the outer flange with a hammer and pry it open enough to allow separation from the CV joint. The new kit come with a new CV joint and boot/flanges so if you destroy the old one it is not a big deal. You can see in my original pictures, I actually cut away part of the old flange to order to get it off so I could get to the E clip lock on the end of drive shaft....
Let me know if you need any further help!

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2014 9:04 am

Anybody have a link for the parts. I can't find it on Detroit axle or rock auto, where I thought I saw it a few months back

Leeann · **Joined:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:19 pm **Posts:** 523

http://www.driveshaftparts.com/cv-joint ... 1999-2004/

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:28 pm

Its available from Detroit Axle on eBay at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Front-Drive-Shaft-CV-Joint-Complete-Repair-Kit-Rear-Position-4x4-4WD-/170991279637?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item27cfdfde15
$77 and some change... Driveshaft parts has the better price... :wink:

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 21, 2014 2:22 pm

Thanks guys

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

WWDiesel wrote:

Its available from Detroit Axle on eBay at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Front-Drive-Shaft-CV-Joint-Complete-Repair-Kit-Rear-Position-4x4-4WD-/170991279637?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item27cfdfde15
$77 and some change... Driveshaft parts has the better price... :wink:

for anyone looking this is now $35 shipped

j-rod · **Joined:** Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:05 pm **Posts:** 201

j-rod wrote:

WWDiesel wrote:

Its available from Detroit Axle on eBay at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Front-Drive-Shaft-CV-Joint-Complete-Repair-Kit-Rear-Position-4x4-4WD-/170991279637?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item27cfdfde15
$77 and some change... Driveshaft parts has the better price... :wink:

for anyone looking this is now $35 shipped

Their service is crap. Put one in and it lasted under 100 miles. The bearing itself broke, the ring broke and actually tore the boot from the inside. darn thing was junk from the get go. Their "warranty" is like a turd. I had to pay the shipping which coincidentally is half the retail cost on eBay.

We bought three of these....and will never buy from them again.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Wed Jun 08, 2016 11:08 am

What is the best quality part or fix for the rear CV on the front drive shaft. I did mine with http://www.driveshaftparts.com/index.ph ... arch=me807

In December - 6 months and about 7000 miles ago and it is loose already.

Edit The joint looks good

I just grabbed it, wiggled it and it clunked on the transfer case end.

Any suggestions for a permanent fix for the front drive shaft?

I was going to pull the drive shaft. When I got under there the replacement part looked good.

I took the driveshaft off this morning and confirmed that the rattle was from the rear joint that I rebuilt. going to send for another rebuild kit. It should be under warranty.

I'll have to see how their warranty works out. Hopefully they just send another unit.

It does not make a noticeable noise When driving - but we are half deaf and don't need to turn up the radio to hide noise. Our conversations normally involve saying What? a lot

It was a vibration I could feel in the seat that made me check originally. I just reached under, grabbed the driveshaft and felt movement

I saw a little grease on the floor pan above the rear joint that I changed. I am guessing now that maybe that was a little excess, because the boot looks good and the joint seems good - But it wasn't There was slop every direction in the joint once I got the driveshaft off.

Thanks

I got in touch with driveshaft parts and they sent a replacement. I hope it lasts longer than the first one did

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2016 11:16 pm

Not only did it not last longer than the first. It puked in a matter of weeks.

Can anybody recommend a part that will last 100,000 miles or more?

Or a possible cause of something that is causing the joint to go bad in such short order?

Edit - finally removed the front drive shaft. 8-10-2016 -

It was definitely the rear CV again. Very lose - almost no miles.

driveshaftparts.com I don't know what the deal is. 2 joints installed by 2 different people that usually do not have issues unless there's a jeep involved.

The shop I took it to said the front joint was to stiff and taking out the rear joint.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2016 4:02 pm

Rockauto has ones from Dorman and from OmixAda.
The OmixAda ones are $180. I would hope that at that price they will last a long time.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:29 am

Tom Woods drive shafts look like a good fix. Price isn't bad.

Has anybody used them for real life feedback on how their driveshafts hold up?

http://www.customdriveshafts.com/

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2016 4:04 pm

I had the Jeep in for the transmission rebuild and asked them to look at the front driveshaft while it was there.

They said the front joint on the front drive shaft was to stiff and that is what was causing the rear joint on the front drive shaft to go out

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Sep 13, 2016 10:02 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

I had the Jeep in for the transmission rebuild and asked them to look at the front driveshaft while it was there.

They said the front joint on the front drive shaft was to stiff and that is what was causing the rear joint on the front drive shaft to go out

If there is nothing broken or worn out, the joints can be taken apart, cleaned, and repacked with fresh grease... Of course it takes a confidant mechanic who is familiar with CV joints to perform this operation. :roll:

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2016 10:43 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

jrsavoie wrote:

I had the Jeep in for the transmission rebuild and asked them to look at the front driveshaft while it was there.

They said the front joint on the front drive shaft was to stiff and that is what was causing the rear joint on the front drive shaft to go out

If there is nothing broken or worn out, the joints can be taken apart, cleaned, and repacked with fresh grease... Of course it takes a confidant mechanic who is familiar with CV joints to perform this operation. :roll:

That does not sound like me. I've never taken a CV joint apart before.

I've changed them but never taken them apart like a U joint before.

Does anybody have any links to parts and / or replacing the front joint on the front driveshaft?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2016 11:04 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

Does anybody have any links to parts and / or replacing the front joint on the front driveshaft?

Google
Dorman 932-302" (front joint)
Dorman 932-301 - (rear joint)
Summit Racing, CARId, and several others list replacement CV joints for both the front and rear CV joints on the front driveshaft... :wink:

HER_CRD · **Posted:** Sat Nov 12, 2016 2:18 pm

Working here on changing both joints and running into an issue during reassembly. What I've got is the front joint (diff end) is bottomed out on the splines but I can't get the snap ring back on because the groove is not exposed. Thoughts on filing down the center part a bit? This one measures a few thousandths wider than the original.

Front Propeller (Drive) Shaft CV Joint/Boot Replacement

Who is online