How hard are TJ axle u-joints?

Quote from hzryr61

I noticed a strange 'tug' on the steering wheel when turning in 4wd. I was going to replace the axle u-joints myself, but have never done it before. I have done drive shaft u-joints, but never pulled an axle. My mechanic wants to charge me $40 for the parts and $220 for labor...

How hard is it? I've checked out a few vids on youtube and it doesn't look all that bad. am i missing something or is it just time consuming?

this is on the 'new to me' 01 TJ.

Thanks,
KJB

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Were you on dry pavement when in 4wd?

You will feel a "bind".

And depending on how things come apart and what tools you have 2 hrs per side is probably about average.

So if he charges $55/hr x 4 hrs, $220 really isn't unreasonable; but you can save a lot by doing it yourself.

I just did both front axle joints with basic tools and instructions from YouTube and the forum here. It's time consuming but I didn't find it overly difficult.

I helped a friend do his and it took all day and we bent several large pullers. I say $260 is a bargain.

Quote from all_terrain

I helped a friend do his and it took all day and we bent several large pullers. I say $260 is a bargain.

What were you doing with the "large pullers" ?

Probably trying to pull the unit bearings?

Maybe we we're doing something different. Perhaps we were replacing the ball joints. What a pain in the a$$.

Quote from keith_c

What were you doing with the "large pullers" ?

Pulling the unit bearing is usually the hardest part. I can bang the joints out and in with just a 2 lb hammer and a large socket in about 15 min.

Unit bearings are pretty on my Dodge once I started using a socket, extension and the power steering to pushing them out. I assume it'll work on a Jeep as well.

[img width=1200 height=900]http://image.dieselpowermag.co…and_unit_bearing_bolt.jpg[/img]

Quote from frosty

Unit bearings are pretty on my Dodge once I started using a socket, extension and the power steering to pushing them out. I assume it'll work on a Jeep as well.

Just be careful that you still have enough thread engagement if you're doing it this way...I may or may not have learned this lesson the hard way in the past.

--Ian