Front Drive Shaft

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

I am getting a grinding noise that goes throughout the body of the Jeep that starts about 55 and seems to get worse the faster I go. On a straight away it will get better/worse at different times. I have checked the front drive shaft and there is some play at the rear joint and some clicking when I move it from side to side. I suspect this is where the problem lies. Changing it out doesn't seem to be too big a problem except for cost. I don't want to pay $550 at the stealership for a new one. I can find reman'd ones on the inet for just under $400 from a company called A1 Cardone. Has anyone had experience with this drive shaft or do you know where I might be able to get a good one for cheaper?

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 10:27 am

If you did a search I am sure it would show some options such as
Automotive Parts Unlimited
800-270-5224
ericautopart@aol.com

around 300 and does great .
I have had one of his in for 20,000 miles almost

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

I checked with them. They are out of stock for these and they are back ordered. He said that he is not sure when they will be getting them. There was a run on the front drive shafts this winter and he can't seem to find them anywhere. Ray's advice was to grab one wherever I could get one. I'm leaving on a long trip in a month and would like to have my 4WD. I can just take the drive shaft out and use the Jeep, but I was hoping to do some wheeling while we were gone. I guess it is either remove the shaft or pay the exorbitant price from someone else.

But, thanks for the advice. I was really hoping that they would have them.

jimymc · **Joined:** Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:51 pm **Posts:** 248

Well... I pulled the front shaft today. Yup... it's the rear CV joint. The rubber seal on the front of the rear CV is just about completely missing and the joint is "crunchy" when you move it around. I took it for a drive and all the growling has gone away. Also the "drone" at 45-55 mph in overdrive has gone away as well. Who in the world would have thought that the front drive shaft would have rumbled in the 45-55 mph range when it isn't driving anything, just coasting?

Time to peruse the Inet and find someone who is willing to sell a new shaft for a semi-reasonable rate. The stealership would like to get $555 for it. I have found one discount Mopar parts place that has new, OEM, front drive shafts for $382. What I can't understand is how come the short 16.5" shafts are more expensive than the 19" and 20" shafts.

adamkrz · **Posted:** Sat May 29, 2010 11:11 pm

I have a used one in real nice shape, I'll post the numbers and some photos tomorrow, I think the last numbers are 596aa..

Looking to get $100. plus $15 to ship..

Front Drive Shaft

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