here's a different topic to discuss....

camper · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 10:33 am

with the concern that folks have about cracking the front aluminum differential housing....

there are no front lockout hubs to manually disengage the front axles... so the axles, ring-gear/pinion gear, and the front propeller shaft always turn whether or not the 4x transfer case is engaged....this is because the front wheels are splined to the front cv axles....

so on the trail, if I should ever have the misfortune of busting my front differential, I have been concerned about a temporary fix to get the liberty home.....I carry the tools to remove my front driveline and I know how to do it now since I installed a front true-trac last year....by removing the two steering knuckles (spindles), it's not difficult to pop out the two cv axle half-shafts....

here is my question....can the steering components be reinstalled without the two cv axles and still be safely driven?....it would then be much like a two wheel drive liberty.....are the two wheel drive steering knuckles different?....does the large axle nut centered in the brake rotor serve any other purpose besides fastening the axle stubs?.....if the axle nut is required to keep the brake rotor mounted, then is there a two wheel drive liberty stub shaft or other part that I could carry in my tool bag to temporarily rebuild the front rotors, etc?.....

a trail side removal of the front differential components would be a pretty difficult job and I don't see how you can pull the KJ with the guts chewing themselves up....

with the axles removed, the differential and the front propeller shaft would not turn when the wheels roll....I could drive home, locate a replacement differential housing at my convenience, etc....

I want to run with the dogs in the local jeep club and I want to be my own saviour if this event ever occured....

anyway, something besides lift springs to talk about here....

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:07 am

The outer bearing hubs are the same on the 2wd and 4wd KJ's.
"can the steering components be reinstalled without the two cv axles and still be safely driven?" Yes

"it would then be much like a two wheel drive liberty" Correct

"are the two wheel drive steering knuckles different?" No

"does the large axle nut centered in the brake rotor serve any other purpose besides fastening the axle stubs?" No

"if the axle nut is required to keep the brake rotor mounted, then is there a two wheel drive liberty stub shaft or other part that I could carry in my tool bag to temporarily rebuild the front rotors?" No

Good questions. We had to do this temporary fix on my KJ when I blew up my front diff at Camp Jeep training. I drove on it that way for almost two weeks before I could get it in for repair with no problems. We just removed the axles and reassembled it. No problems.

peebut · **Joined:** Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:05 pm **Posts:** 37

Great question. A guy I wheel with had this happen. He didn't know what to do. Thankfully we could get a tow dolly and get him out. I've also heard that thats an expensive break. There's supposed to be an aftermarket setup coming out. Much stronger and cheaper. Thanx for the tip.

camper · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:29 am

thanks john....I've been checking ebay from time to time to purchase a used aluminum housing....I saw one there a while back but I didn't act on it at the time....I purchased two replacement cv axle assemblies from "redjeepCRD" wes....

so is this discussion now over?....I never seem to get into anything here that stirs it up....

JeroldBurrow · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:10 pm

camper -

Thanks for posting this question. I've been wondering that too. Good to know I can limp out in 2wd if neccsary. Does anyone know what size the large axle nut is?

I know how you feel about 'stirring up' the forum... I'm a regular thread killer myself.

--
Jerold Burrow

camper · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:43 pm

the socket in the picture is 1 7/16" with a 3/4" drive breaker bar....I'm really not sure if it ought to be 36mm but I was able to use what I had with no problem....

RedJeepCRD · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:13 pm

Steve, you start busting CV's and Axles housings out on the trail and my wife won't let me offroad with you anymore.

Wes

corwyyn · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 4:50 pm

Steve, thanks for posting the question. JJ, thanks for the detailed answer. IT is comforting to know that it can be done if nescessary. Maybe a nice 'How-to' write-up that others could print out for reference would help. I have a copy of the '03 service manual in PDF on my PDAs storage card and am thinking about putting some of the 'How-tos' on there as well. That way if anything happens I will at least have some info to get me started in the right direction.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:37 pm

The axle nut is a 35 mm not 36mm.

here's a different topic to discuss....

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