Jeep 52123551AA Front Drive Shaft

Whenever a driveshaft is removed, new U-joint straps should be used during installation. Begin by placing the transmission and transfer case in Neutral with the parking brake off, then raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Using white paint, chalk, or a scribe, mark the relationship of the rear universal joint or flange to the transfer case companion flange, as well as the front U-joint or flange to the pinion shaft yoke at the front differential. For 2006 and earlier models, remove the strap bolts from the front U-joint and unbolt the rear U-joint flange from the transfer case companion flange, ensuring to mark the relationship of the U-joint flange to the transfer case and differential companion flange; insert a screwdriver through the U-joint to prevent the driveshaft from turning. For 2007 and later models, remove the bolts attaching the flanges together. Next, remove the shaft from the vehicle, taping the bearing caps to the spider for 2006 and earlier models to prevent the caps from falling off. Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring to tighten the fasteners to the specified torque. For 2006 and earlier models, to maintain driveshaft balance, reinstall it in the same position by placing alignment marks on the yokes at the drive pinion gear shaft and at the rear of the driveshaft. Remove the rear universal joint bolts and straps, turning the driveshaft or tires as necessary for accessibility. Tape the bearing caps to the spider to prevent them from coming off during removal, and if equipped, loosen or cut the clamps attaching the boot to the slip yoke and differential. Lower the rear of the driveshaft and slide the slip yoke at the front out of the transmission or transfer case. To prevent fluid loss and contamination, wrap a plastic bag over the transmission or transfer case housing and secure it with a rubber band. After removing the plastic bag, wipe the area clean and inspect the oil seal carefully. Slide the slip yoke at the front of the driveshaft into the transfer case, raise the rear of the driveshaft into position, and check that the marks are aligned; if not, turn the rear wheels to match the pinion flange and the driveshaft. Finally, remove the tape securing the bearing caps, install new straps and bolts, and tighten the bolts to the specified torque.

The models fitted with Jeep's 'Command-Trac ' front axle have a separate axleshaft tube having the two parts in the right axle, and outer splines of the left as well as right axleshafts engage the wheel hub. The front axleshafts are made up of single cardan universal joint at the outermost end in order to allow the front wheels to rotate while at the same time transmitting power. The inner end of the intermediate shaft engage the differential side gear by a snap ring and engaging four-wheel drive join the two shafts together by a shift collar operated on by a vacuum shift motor together with a shift fork. In two-wheel drive mode, the vacuum shift motor releases the shift collar and lets the differential coast and so free-loads on the components. Front as well as rear driveshafts are fitted with single cardan universal joints and slip yokes, so they require re-lubrication after attaining their service limit. Driveshafts are balanced when assembled and hence, if you fail to mark them correctly during disassembly there will be a lot of vibrations. The rear axle is design is Model 35 and comes with ''Semi-floating'' axleshafts that come with the rear wheel bearings and are identified by numbers on the axle tube. The rear axle can provision a standard or optional Trac-Lok, depending on the model; this is a limited-slip differential that swaps torque from one wheel to another when there is a loss of grip. Because of this, differential adjustments should preferably be undone by a professional because they are pretty complex. Some later models may incorporate a Tru-Lok differential in which the front or rear axle can be locked, in off-pavement conditions at low speeds, by a switch that actuates a diaphragm located inside the differential.