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Front Axle Shaft Problem

7K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  MobeyDick 
#1 ·
I have a 2004 WJ Special Edition. I had a bad CV joint on the passenger side and just before I changed it the axle shaft would rub the axle tube on a hard left turn. I thought that was caused by the bad CV joint. I changed the axle shaft and hub and the axle still moves when I turn the wheels and rubs with full turn to the left. Could it be that I bought an axle with a defective CV joint or am I missing something...thanks
 
#2 ·
Since the problem was already there with the old axle, i would expect something else wrong. Not sure if it could be the reason, but can it be that the max deflection stop is broken off, causing it to deflect more then it should?
Other then that, did you check for play on the balljoints?
 
#4 ·
The steering deflection stop. Didn´t look at my jeep, but there is some kind of stop which limits the steering angle.
 
#5 ·
I don't think that is the problem. On my friend's identical Jeep his axle does not noticeably move from the center of the axle tube when turning the wheel. I have a spare 2003 WJ Limited that has no CV issues so I think I'll grab the axle from that one this weekend and install it in my Jeep to see if that cures it.
 
#6 ·
Only be sure that the axle has the same lenght, since quadra trac and quadra drive have different axles lengths.
My thought about the steering stop was that, if it would deflect past the normal limit, that the axle could change its position and hit the tube.
 
#8 · (Edited)
hard for me to tell your exact issue, I would check all your ball joints and steering knuckle. It could be something as simple as a loose bolt you didn't fully torque, or maybe just need an alignment! After I replaced the half axle on my WK I had a mean clunk going on at full lock when turning, $75 for a computerized alignment got rid of it! maybe try and get some pictures or a video, itll be easier to determine that way!
 
#9 · (Edited)
Frango, thanks for your suggestion about max deflection. I was planning on changing the axle but I the guy at the parts store had ordered me one for a veriloc. I needed to change the tie rod on that side as well so I measured it so I would get the new one close to what it should be. I had a friend helping me and another friend dropped so my friend helping on my Jeep decided to put the new tie rod on. I assumed he put it on with the measurement I had written in chalk on the fender. I then put the old axle back in till I could get the new one I haven't driven my Jeep on the road while I'm doing this work and only test drove it in the lot. I just went down to take a look and sure enough the wheel on the passenger side has an obvious toe out issue. That, along with the boot on the new axle being too long are probably the cause of my problems.
I would not have thought a toe alignment issue could cause that if you hadn't brought it up. It's going in for a wheel alignment this afternoon.
 
#14 ·
Problem solved, I was about to take out the axle out of my spare WJ and noticed the tie rod was shaped differently than the new one I put in my Jeep. The tie rod is for the right side but it's for the steering sleeve, not the toe adjustment sleeve. When I ordered that tie rod no questions were asked what sleeve it was for and I didn't know enough to mention what sleeve it was for. Went to the parts store and picked up the correct tie rod and now there no rubbing....
 
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