How To: Change a Front CV Axle

[TwoBobsKJ]

So for replacing the passenger side cv and intermediate shaft, is there a seal on that end of the diff that needs to be replaced? Or all the seals in the intermediate shaft and CV? Is the intermediate shaft held in with snap rings?

Unless there is a leak from the passenger axle seal I wouldn't bother replacing the seal. It can be a pain to swap out from what I've seen here on the forums.

The intermediate shaft is held in the diff by a snap ring just like the one on the CV end of the shaft. If your CV comes off the shaft when you go to take the CV axle off then you'll need to grab the intermediate shaft with a pair of vice grips and give it a good hard tug and it'll pop out. If the CV axle and intermediate shaft come out together (which is common, but as well as you take care of your KJ it's unlikely you have rust around there ) then it's actually a very simple swap out. You'll pop the intermediate shaft into the diff, pop the CV axle onto the intermediate shaft then reassemble the hub, etc.

Bob

 

[CactusJacked]

I have a feeling the hub is going to slide right off the intermediate shaft without a fight. The end on mine was so worn, the snap ring wasn't doing any holding on the shaft, and was stuck in the groove of the hub. Didn't matter, as I was replacing the shaft and both axles anyway. I didn't bother opening another can of worms with messing with the seal, as it wasn't leaking before, nor is it now. To get the shaft out of the housing, I attached a vice grips on the end and pried between the grips and housing with my gorilla bar.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Thanks for the guide!!! Is there much of a risk damaging that seal when doing this? I'm inclined to leave it if you're saying it's hard, that means damn near impossible for me lol.

 

[CactusJacked]

Just slide the old one straight out gently, and the new one in the same. Oil up the seal surface of the new shaft so you don't rub the seal the wrong way.

 

[CzarKJ]

Passenger seal and bearing nearly destroyed my love of my Kj... just putting it out there. It's a true PITA.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Doing the driver's side right now...passenger side next. Do you pull the CV out from the hub end first or diff end first?

 

[CzarKJ]

Doing the driver's side right now...passenger side next. Do you pull the CV out from the hub end first or diff end first?

If I understand correctly... I removed the hub off my cv then got that out of the way. Then was able to slide the cv out.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I have both sides (diff and hub) free. I can't seem to pull any end out though. So I pull it from the hub side first to get it out of the hub then the diff side?

 

[CzarKJ]

Once you take the nut off the cv end the hub (should) slides right off then you can deal with taking the cv out

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Mine is completely loose there but I can't maneuver it out of the hub. I have the sway bar, UCA, tie rod and clevis disconnected. Am I doing something really wrong? It sounds pretty simple...

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Mine is completely loose there but I can't maneuver it out of the hub. I have the sway bar, UCA, tie rod and clevis disconnected. Am I doing something really wrong? It sounds pretty simple...

You'll need to take the spindle/hub off to get the CV out. You may be able to get the CV out if you just take the lower ball joint out of the upper control arm - but it kind of depends on how many hands you have working on it. When I do it myself I take the upper and lower ball joints out of their respective arms.

Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

How hard is it to disconnect the LBJ? So the whole knuckle has to come off then...

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

How hard is it to disconnect the LBJ? So the whole knuckle has to come off then...

Similar to the upper - take off the nut then give the LCA a good whack with the hammer. I prefer to take off the lower first because the upper will hold the knuckle in place. Then take off the upper.

Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Thanks much...will try it tomorrow, wish me luck lol.

 

[JDa]

I am going to be doing this next weekend. Couple of questions:
-I understand the axle seal is a pain in the rear, but what makes it so painful to replace? Any tips if I do have to replace it? Not planning on replacing it, I just want to make sure I can handle it if they are bad.
- anyone happen to know the part #s for the axle seal?
- is there a place where the torque settings are listed?

Thanks for the help.

 

[JDa]

I am going to be doing this next weekend. Couple of questions:
-I understand the axle seal is a pain in the rear, but what makes it so painful to replace? Any tips if I do have to replace it? Not planning on replacing it, I just want to make sure I can handle it if they are bad.
- anyone happen to know the part #s for the axle seal?
- is there a place where the torque settings are listed?

Thanks for the help.

Found the torque specs, anyone have info on the seals?

 

[CzarKJ]

Found the torque specs, anyone have info on the seals?

So passenger side the seal is recessed in where the cv sits. Can't exactly just put a screwdriver on the side and tap it. I had to use a slide hammer with reverse jaw and a relief cut. I used part number OAI16534.12 from 4wd hardware. Fits and works fine.

Oh and if you find yourself fixing a seal replace the bearing that's behind it.

 

[JDa]

Thanks!

 

[JDa]

Follow up question, do I need to grease either end? Doesn't appear to be any on the ends when I took the cv axles out of the box.

 

[CzarKJ]

Follow up question, do I need to grease either end? Doesn't appear to be any on the ends when I took the cv axles out of the box.

Nope. But a dab of antisieze wouldn't hurt I would think.