Front U-Joint problems

[celticthor]

I am looking to replace both u-joints on the front axle and I am wondering how I can tell if I have a 1 piece or 2 piece since apparently it matters. Also how difficult is it to change these (only reason I am asking is that it was a pain to change the ones on my '96 XJ and I really don't want to do that again)

[Cecil14]

In the early 80s there were a couple years that ran a vacuum disconnect front axles (2 axles shafts with a locking collar). You can tell if you've got one by the big vacuum motor on the diff (or lack of). That won't make any difference in u-joints though...and honestly they shouldn't even be asking you with your '77.

That aside, to do the u-joints you have to take off the wheel, hub, and spindle. It's not REAL hard to do, but plan on it taking a little while. When I did mine the 25 year old u-joints had become very comfortable in the axles shafts. lol It took some persuasion and a ball-joint press to get them out.


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[celticthor]

I am hoping it's just the u-joints since the LF side clanks around and will sometimes grind pretty bad

[Cecil14]

You can check the u-joints without tearing everything apart. Put it in 4wd and jack the problem tire up (engine off, in gear, parking brake on, etc.) and turn the tire by hand. You should be able to see if there's any play in the u-joint. Both of mine were pretty much totally gone.


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[celticthor]

I took a look at the driver side u-joint and it looks pretty much shot which would explain the clanking but I am wondering why would cause it to sometimes grind pretty loudly

[Cecil14]

It's possible the axle shafts are shifting around a bit, maybe rubbing on each other, etc. They're not staying in their respective axis without the u-joint there to guide them.


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