Pulling front driveshaft tomorrow...UPDATED

psinsyd · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2007 3:59 pm

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

bighause · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2007 4:23 pm

Its really easy, I had to replace mine a year or so ago. I used 1/4" drive sockets and extensions and an adapter so I could use a larger 3/8" drive ratchet. There isn't much clearance for the sockets, but the 1/4" drive one fit perfect. Just make sure to use some locktite on the bolts when you put them back in.

psinsyd · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2007 6:37 pm

Thanks for the insight bighause. I'll give it a go with the 1/4" drive. Thanks for the loctite tip too!

I'm just hopin' that the front ds solves the issue. If not, I'll be taking it in to get the CVs checked out.

Thanks again,

psinsyd

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2007 9:30 pm

See if the MPG goes up if you drive around for a period of time without it. That extra rotating mass may help some.. idk how much that thing weighs though.. Im just thinking out loud.

Anyway, hope it comes out with easy and you do not run into any problems. Like bighause said, be sure to use locktite. I would guess that it had 'Blue' on it.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2007 10:05 pm

psinsyd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

Are you refering to the shaft between transfer case and front diff.? Is it bent or something,if not maybe you can just replace the joints and save you some money.

Ron

psinsyd · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 11:26 am

LiLredLibby wrote:

psinsyd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

Are you refering to the shaft between transfer case and front diff.? Is it bent or something,if not maybe you can just replace the joints and save you some money.

Ron

Wow, thanks for the heads-up on that, Ron! I was under the impression that once it's shot, it's shot. Was not aware of being able to change out the joints on the front shaft. I'm not sure if it's bent or what, but I'm assuming the joints are done. I'm wondering if the local 4x4 shop could swap the joints on it once I get it out.

Jeepjeepster, I'm going to try to not drive it too much once the front shaft is out, so I'm not sure if I could get any mileage readings for ya. I'll let you know if it feels any different without it. I'm not sure how much it weighs either, but I can't see it weighing TOO much.

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.

phxtoad · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 12:25 pm

Both front shafts together weigh a total of 47 lbs.

J.E. Reel re-builds them (check Jeepin by Al's website for more info)

Make sure you use rags to stuff in the openings and try to seal them up with duct tape as much as you can. I drove mine for a couple weeks without the shafts while they were getting re-built, but lost maybe a cup or so of fluid from the front diff - it will leak!

Todd

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

What kind of sound are you getting? I've had a thump in the front differential for some time, finally got all the parts together to install a Trutrac. My Jeep sits in the garage as I speak without most of the front end under her. While I was at it I also installed Al's upper control arms, bead blasted and painted the clevis and steering knuckles. I'm waiting for the spacers that are needed between the ring bolts and new Trutrac differential.
Funny,... the inside original parts of the differerential look perfect. I think when I get this front end put back together I'll remove the front driveline and see if it was making the weird noise. I'll be glad to get this all put back together, what a PITA :!:

psinsyd · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 3:38 pm

Wasatch15 wrote:

What kind of sound are you getting? I've had a thump in the front differential for some time, finally got all the parts together to install a Trutrac. My Jeep sits in the garage as I speak without most of the front end under her. While I was at it I also installed Al's upper control arms, bead blasted and painted the clevis and steering knuckles. I'm waiting for the spacers that are needed between the ring bolts and new Trutrac differential.
Funny,... the inside original parts of the differerential look perfect. I think when I get this front end put back together I'll remove the front driveline and see if it was making the weird noise. I'll be glad to get this all put back together, what a PITA :!:

Yup, kind of a random thumping that seems to be consistent with rotational speed.

Seems like the rear of the front driveshaft will need some persuasion. I've got the bolts out but the rear of the ds does not want to budge! It seems totally in the transfer case side really tightly. Maybe I'll blast it with some silicone lube or equivalent. The front wants to come out no problem. Ugh!

psinsyd · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 5:32 pm

Ok, it's out and I'm back from my test drive. Seems like I actually had two issues going on in the front end. Pulling the driveshaft cured the thumping in the front end, but the rubbing sound and feeling is still there. I'm wondering if it's a CV or wheel bearing. Whatd'ya guys think? The rubbing feeling also can be felt up through the gas and brake pedals.

Soooo, back to the stealership on Saturday to see what they have to say about it. I just want this fixed so I can get the Soft 8's and Grabber AT2's mounted and thrown on!

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 5:45 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

psinsyd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

Are you refering to the shaft between transfer case and front diff.? Is it bent or something,if not maybe you can just replace the joints and save you some money.

Ron

i was under the impression these front drive shafts are not rebuildable because they dont have u-joints???

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 6:12 pm

myjeepwalks wrote:

LiLredLibby wrote:

psinsyd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

Are you refering to the shaft between transfer case and front diff.? Is it bent or something,if not maybe you can just replace the joints and save you some money.

Ron

i was under the impression these front drive shafts are not rebuildable because they dont have u-joints???

The front "drive shaft" is not rebuildable,the front "CV half shafts" are.

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2007 9:46 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

myjeepwalks wrote:

LiLredLibby wrote:

psinsyd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day!

I'm planning on pulling the front driveshaft on the '02 Rene tomorrow to try to get to the bottom of the noise I've been hearing, that the dealer can't get to the bottom of.

Any last minute tips or tricks to pulling it? Seems pretty straightforward. Hopefully I can get it out without having to remove any cross-braces or skids. I founda a site which has OEM Jeep parts which has the front driveshaft assembly for $399, which is a hundred bucks cheaper than the stealership.

Thanks everyone!

Are you refering to the shaft between transfer case and front diff.? Is it bent or something,if not maybe you can just replace the joints and save you some money.

Ron

i was under the impression these front drive shafts are not rebuildable because they dont have u-joints???

The front "drive shaft" is not rebuildable,the front "CV half shafts" are.

ok, that's what i thought.

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

Your problem sounds alot like mine. I found it wasn't bearings. I have a manual transmission so I just lifted each tire one at a time off the ground and manually turned each one. I found the sound was there when the right front wheel turned but not when the front left tire turned and after replacing the right front wheel bearing, the sound was still there. It sounded like it was coming from the right side of the differential, like the carrier bearing was bad. I now have the whole front end apart and the differenital bearings look like they are perfect. I'm replacing the open differential with a Trutrac and installing new bearings and races, hopefully the sound will go away. This has really been a goose chase!

psinsyd · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 12:14 pm

Wasatch15 wrote:

Your problem sounds alot like mine. I found it wasn't bearings. I have a manual transmission so I just lifted each tire one at a time off the ground and manually turned each one. I found the sound was there when the right front wheel turned but not when the front left tire turned and after replacing the right front wheel bearing, the sound was still there. It sounded like it was coming from the right side of the differential, like the carrier bearing was bad. I now have the whole front end apart and the differenital bearings look like they are perfect. I'm replacing the open differential with a Trutrac and installing new bearings and races, hopefully the sound will go away. This has really been a goose chase!

Tell me about it, Wasatch! Not fun at all. Keep us posted as to if you have any luck getting rid of the sound. I'll know after Saturday what the stealership finds. The first stealership said they couldn't hear any sound even when the tech took the Libby home with him. I think they need to check to see if that tech has a pulse! :roll:

Wasatch15 · **Joined:** Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:52 am **Posts:** 242

The first thing I done was to take it to the Stealership. They charged me $45 to "look at it" then told me it was a left front wheel bearing. Idiots... that was the last time I took it to a dealer. Warranties are sometimes worthless. I'll fix the D@m thing myself. Soon as I get the bolt spacers to properly install the ring on the differential carrier, I'll get this Jeep together and let you know if the sound goes away.

psinsyd · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 9:08 pm

Wasatch15 wrote:

The first thing I done was to take it to the Stealership. They charged me $45 to "look at it" then told me it was a left front wheel bearing. Idiots... that was the last time I took it to a dealer. Warranties are sometimes worthless. I'll fix the D@m thing myself. Soon as I get the bolt spacers to properly install the ring on the differential carrier, I'll get this Jeep together and let you know if the sound goes away.

Sounds like a plan.

psinsyd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:19 pm

Soooo, stealership said it was a wheel bearing. Picked it up yesterday, made it a few blocks. SAME NOISE. Do they not at least road test these things after randomly swapping parts or what?

Set up another appointment for Monday, since my ride from the dealership had already left and I couldn't leave it there. Basically now we are going to have to work out the details of what I was charged and how they are going to cover/reimburse it, since I approved the repair based on their diagnosis that this was going to cure the problem, therefore the parts and work wasn't even needed in the first place. Worst case scenario can be a call to Chrysler since this will be the third time it's been in for this..once while in extended warranty, now twice out of warranty. If THAT doesn't work, good thing I paid with my credit card, I guess, although I really don't want to go down that road with this. All I want is for the dreaded noise to be gone, does it really have to be this difficult for "factory trained technicians" to diagnose and repair?

AAAaaaahhh, rant over. Thanks for listening, guys.

I'll keep you posted.

jereosbou · **Joined:** Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:22 am **Posts:** 97

is it really possible to leak fluid with front shaft out this doesnt sound right as when i pulled mine which as you know grenaded. there was no fluid around the pinion nut i dont see why having the shaft out would chnage that. but i suppose ill check mine too see.. it scould be that youve got a loose bearing or soemthing which allowed some to squek by it as even with the shaft in place it doesnt make a good seal with the diff when bolted on its pretty tight ill igmit but the drive shaft isnt designed to hold fluid in.... like i say i could be wrong but just doesnt sound right.... ive been maybe 6 or 7 thousand miles without mine in and havent noticed any real difference in gas mileage either.... for those concerned.
as far as replacing it my current p;lan is to go by a driveline shop and have a nother jeeps rear joint wiht real u joints put onto the xfercase side and keep factory cv in diff side will probly have soem vibes but welll see with the iroks i wont notic anyway...

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:30 pm

jereosbou wrote:

is it really possible to leak fluid with front shaft out this doesnt sound right as when i pulled mine which as you know grenaded. there was no fluid around the pinion nut i dont see why having the shaft out would chnage that. but i suppose ill check mine too see.. it scould be that youve got a loose bearing or soemthing which allowed some to squek by it as even with the shaft in place it doesnt make a good seal with the diff when bolted on its pretty tight ill igmit but the drive shaft isnt designed to hold fluid in.... like i say i could be wrong but just doesnt sound right.... ive been maybe 6 or 7 thousand miles without mine in and havent noticed any real difference in gas mileage either.... for those concerned.
as far as replacing it my current p;lan is to go by a driveline shop and have a nother jeeps rear joint wiht real u joints put onto the xfercase side and keep factory cv in diff side will probly have soem vibes but welll see with the iroks i wont notic anyway...

they are talking about the front c/v shafts not the acutal drive shaft from the diff to the t/case. with the drive shaft out nothing should leak. the c/v shafts on the other hand yes with those removed you will leak gear oil.

Pulling front driveshaft tomorrow...UPDATED

Who is online