I know it's a sin, but I'm at a breaking point here. It doesn't look like an issue, but would like to hear any concerns about running a 4x4 KJ as a 2x4 by just running without the halfshafts. I've never even had a remote thought about this, so never looked into it. Now I'm faced with a situation and it's topical to me...sorry for being selfish if it's been discussed before (Couldn't find it) and sorry for being a stain to Jeep owners everywhere for asking. I won't put the LOSTKJ sticker on until it's back to 4x4...I promise.

What I see is that the wheel is held on by the bearing in the knuckle and the halfshafts offer nothing at all. What concerns me is that the huge 36mm-ish nut that goes on the half-shaft spline just might do some sort of bearing retention. The bearing seems to be sandwiched in a retainer, but is it ok to run like this with no shaft going through? The Half-Shaft spline and big nut really do nothing for holding the wheels on, right?

So this is where I have to suck up my pride and ask you guys and your viewpoints of the safety of doing this. It's really a shot in the gut to be doing this...so the "N00b" tag fits for this question. I need the collective sage advice here as an option to weigh in. Can I go to and from work, on freeways, with no shafts and have the wheels not fall off?

I'm in a bind. This is my main transportation, motorcycle was stolen, and my only other mode of transportation is a Nissan truck that needs driven this weekend (My GF's truck and she has to go to NoCal for her daughter and dad's visitation) and a CJ7 that is still yet to pass Cali Inspection and get tagged (Well, that and a 2-stroke Aprilia that the Marine base I work on won't put a sticker on). I gotta get to work to pay for more Jeep parts. I'm gathering parts for a SFA but not enough yet to wrap it up without rushing it, lead time on stock parts from the dealer is far too long and expensive, and I'm just in a flat out bind. The hind-story is all over here recently if more "why's" are still dangling out there.

Sure you can. Just make SURE you dont put it in 4x4. Or you can take the drive-shaft out to make 100% sure the front diff isnt turning.

Make sure to plug the holes going into the diff really good.

What kinda ball joints are those?

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

Ack...I shoulda expected you guys to see those. Those are Spicers, and one of the very long string of events that is leading to this.

I've wasted a lot of money in this simple 4 hour rebuild on stuff that doesn't work. I ordered Moog's from the Jeep dealer and got the junk Mopar units.

They last 20K with any wheeling at all. The dealer refuses to take them back for refund, but just store credit. So I ordered AC Delco and Spicers that both had top zerks when I was told they'd have the side zerks. The Zerk breaks off as soon as the jeep hits the floor and/or spin the front.

$350 later and I have the junk mopar units to install just to get it back on the road...and I still don't have the "right" Moog K-3199's I wanted from day one.

I've got seals in place that don't leak.

What I'm running into is that the stub appears to be worn, or I keep getting the wrong clip from the Jeep dealer. The halfshaft keeps falling off and the clip does absolutely nothing to retain the CV assembly onto the intermediate shaft. All dealers say the clip doesn't exist. When we do see it on a drawing, they say it's the same for both sides. I'm told here, and I firmly believe ya'll, that the passenger side is smaller and is painted pink. I ordered yet another $2 clip (P/N 5066064AA) in desperation. "AA", according to my various recall parts lists, show that as driver side. My hopes are low on any dealer getting me the right part around here or any where near good support.

So the intermediate shaft costs $198 and takes 5 days to get. I drop the entire front end, install seals ($20) and clips (that are questionable to begin with) and I'm half way through the SFA/SAS as far as I'm concerned. Sorry for the rant, but I really miss my old Chrysler/Jeep dealer. That, and rebuilding the front end every 35K on a 150K+ Liberty gets old that sees just as much trail as it does the highway grows old.

Prior to all of this is the recalls that I question whether they installed the right parts. At 74K miles (Aug 2004) on this '02, I had the ball joints fail on the way to have the recall done. Having ball joints fail on the on-ramp to a highway has you thinking "what if". I don't like being dead! They replaced the half shafts as the KJ falling on them wasn't good obviously.

Then recently, I posted a video at about 100K that looked like this:

Halfshaft I sadly assumed (ya, that's what it gets me!). Thinking it's just the CV/Halfshaft I planned on going through it all. I ordered EBC brakes and green stuff pads, Jeep'n by Al arms, new half shafts, ball joints, and dug in. This is where I'm stuck getting the half-shaft on the passenger side to stay on the intermediate. Jeep won't touch it now that I have it apart.

More dirt that may pop up even IF I fix all this...the front drive shaft spins whether I'm in either FWD LO, High, or 2WD. It's part time, and this just doesn't sound like it should be spinning. Every person that looks at that says it's suppose to always spin...but this isn't Full time...it's part time. My full size GMC didn't ever do this with the same transfer case. I don't understand why the thing spins when it's in 2WD...at all.

So there's more of my heartbreak in a vehicle I somehow still love. Deeply! I put 25% of the blame on me abusing her, but 75% on dealers/service. Maybe ignorant, and rightly so...but the last couple years has me thinking LOST can help me (and others) fix this thing. I see no reason to have this much issue with one shaft not fitting. I'm just thinking they never put the correct clip on...and I have no recourse.

The front hub assy is same as the 2wds run so it isn't a problem. Waste no more $$ and get busy on that SAS.....oh and share lots of pics and info as you build!

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Thanks yet again JJsKJ. Members like you and nameless others make this place what it is. From you posting in JeepsUnlimited (mean hint!) and the extensive info on your own work, you know I'll take every note and picture I can during the process in an attempt to feed back to the forum where I can. I've found we should note our mistakes just if much, if not more, as the finished "pretty" results. I'm good, and getting better, at making my own mistakes...so we'll do!

So off I go to the garage to do the very worst thing I could ever think of doing in there...taking 4x4 out of a Jeep. I'm still shuddering at what I currently find a reasonable thought process. Thanks! And I won't tell anyone you guys helped

I have driven almost 150 miles without the half shafts - not a smart thing to do but did it with caution - did not reach 50mph at all and had no problems
just remember - a component is out so just know what you are getting into.

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The front DS shouldnt spin if you take the cv's out.

_________________
LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster