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Axle Rebuild?

hefavitzen

Scrambler Junkie
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
City
Rock Hill
State
SC
Hey guys, when you bought some axles off someone else, did you do a full rebuild of the axle? Such as new ball joints and bearings and all that? I've got some new wide-track axles and I bought all the stuff to rebuild them but am now wondering if I'm not over doing it.

I can see repacking / replacing bearings and making sure the rotors and calipers are good, but am I nuts to think that I should just wait until a ball joint breaks to replace it?
I'd love to hear some opinions, Jeff
 

mhinchliffe

CJ-8 Member
City
W-S
State
NC
It's easiest while they're out so I say ball joints, clean/inspect and pack bearings, and definitely confirm that the ratios match. If it's and AMC 20 rear you already know that the pinion seal is leaking so do it while you can stand up instead of laying on your back!
 

rubclt

BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Charlotte
State
NC
Check ball joints for sloppy play or stuck in place. If the need to be changed then you have to pull axles, usually Axle U Joints need repair and at that point new axles seals... for rear, axle seals and maybe one piece conversion
 

hefavitzen

Scrambler Junkie
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
City
Rock Hill
State
SC
Thank you guys for the feedback. I guess I'll break out the elbow grease and get started.

Question: What type of ball joint removal kits have worked for you? Did you need something specific or did a rental kit from the auto parts store work OK?

Growing up I used a C-clamp and an old socket to get them out, but it seems there are kits now days. I'm just not sure if I need any sort of specific kit. If anything, I'll try them all to see what works.
 

barrys

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
East Norriton
State
PA
I used a "rental" kit from autozone when I did ball joints on my old '03 Ram 1500. Worked great. Picked one up from Advanced Auto but it was not big enough for 1/2 ton ball joints, not sure about CJ sized stuff.
 

Spieg

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
City
Aurora
State
CO
Presses that work well for a CJ axle are few and expensive. Universal/rental tools I've tried, have not worked well for me (I'd go so far as to say "hazardous"). Last time I replaced ball-joints, I purchased a cheap press from Harbor freight... with some modification, it worked fairly well.
 

Randyzzz

Blown Budget
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Redmond
State
OR
I too bought the cheapo Harbor Freight press and it has served me well. 2 D44’s and a D30 CJ and XJ. Keep the screw well lubed. And make sure everything is set securely.
 
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