He's dead, Jim

[1998281gt]

I just acquired this 97 Cherokee sport that's been pretty abused in it's past life. The good news is I don't have a lot of cash in it, so I scored a pretty sweet haul in my opinion.

My current and only big problem is the front axle wants to bind/lock up. It's in 2wd and I have removed the front driveshaft, I have taken the front diff. cover off and it appears the P-O has had it in a creek one too many times with some bad seals and all that was left in the front end was a very small splash of mud when I pulled the cover, and he had been driving it this way for who knows how long.

I towed it home and now I'm wondering what I should do.

1. Should I even bother cleaning this axle out and trying to put fresh fluid in it?
2. Should I just buy a new axle?

http://i.imgur.com/pC8xNsSl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/977uwxDl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TFjt7Zgl.jpg

[cantab27]

pull diff head and have a better look at it ...she might clean up ok ....

[OldFaurt]

I just acquired this 97 Cherokee sport that's been pretty abused in it's past life. The good news is I don't have a lot of cash in it, so I scored a pretty sweet haul in my opinion.

My current and only big problem is the front axle wants to bind/lock up. It's in 2wd and I have removed the front driveshaft, I have taken the front diff. cover off and it appears the P-O has had it in a creek one too many times with some bad seals and all that was left in the front end was a very small splash of mud when I pulled the cover, and he had been driving it this way for who knows how long.

I towed it home and now I'm wondering what I should do.

1. Should I even bother cleaning this axle out and trying to put fresh fluid in it?
2. Should I just buy a new axle?

http://i.imgur.com/pC8xNsSl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/977uwxDl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TFjt7Zgl.jpg

Woooo! :camera: Keep us posted! That is.... Woooo!

[autotech98]

Clean her up and throw some oil in her and see what happens..cheaper than a new axle and if it doesn't work oh well.If it does yousaved some bucks

[bigjim350]

Same thing happened to mine. What happens is, the grit in the mud wears the bearings and races down so that the gears dont line up right and causes them to lock up. In my case, I just went to the junkyard and grabbed another complete front axle. Dont think just new oil will fix your problem.

[autotech98]

Oh man didnt see pics at first...yeah i have to agree with jim sorry

[4.3LXJ]

I think the pick and pull is your friend here. But even then, if you put another $300 in it you still probably are way ahead

[bluedragon436]

I'd also say go with the way Jim did on his, and hit up a PNP and get yourself another front axle.. would say pull the cover and take a look at the one you are taking home to make sure you won't have similar issues with it as well.. Unless you are planning on replacing/upgrading the axle gears and do a master rebuild it

[1998281gt]

Well, I have some good news...

The front axle is free! no more binding and I actually took it down the road at about 40mph. Woke the neighbors up. They were mad.

It only took a spray bottle of alcohol, paint thinner, 2 cans of brake parts cleaner, one can of engine degreaser, some WD40 and lots of spinning the front tires around to blow all the crud out. Then filled it with 2.5 pints of 75-90

Every bearing in it is definitely screwed though and the ring and pinion look slightly worn.

Time to shop for a used axle. :bacondance:

Motor is peachy. Tranny feels great. Steering, meh. But I have an adjustable track bar kit and some other things. I have a total of 5 like new 33/1250/15s, 2 matching wheels for the front, complete drum brake rebuild kit, and more. It appears to have a shackle relocation in the rear, aftermarket leafs and 2" blocks in the rear, aftermarket coils and 2" spacers in the front. I"ll need to get the adjustable bars that center the front end front to back as the front wheels sit a little further back from the huge lift.

Amongst other things it has a locker in the rear, it's not welded thankfully. It has working keyless entry with 2 fobs. all power accessories work on the inside, new alternator, radiator, someone has swapped a different motor in it... I lucked out on this one.

[1998281gt]

For those wondering I have about $800 in it, and I have a clean clear title for it. :patriot:

[bluedragon436]

For all the good that it does have, def seems like a good deal @ $800, and even with having to put in a little bit of work and picking up a new front axle..

[OldFaurt]

For those wondering I have about $800 in it, and I have a clean clear title for it. :patriot:

WOW! Great Job!

[1998281gt]

A little update, new (used) front axle (HP D30 which I believe luckily came with an lsd/locker), IRO extended fixed control arms, IRO OTK steering kit, new ball joints / hubs / rotors / calipers, 2 new front wheels... :patriot:

http://i.imgur.com/C2cfNth.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

A bit more than $880 now eh?

[1998281gt]

A bit more than $880 now eh?

I want to say around $1300. I still want to get a track bar brace and the mounting thing it sits in, a longer drop pitman, maybe a new steering box but mine looks like it's been replaced before.

now that it's mobile I'm going to backflush the heater core, do a complete tune up, flush all fluids, do my stereo install, and clean all the mud out of the interior. I understand it's what they're made to do but my interior is like a terrarium:smiley-scared003:.

[4.3LXJ]

Maybe you could plant some veggies :D

[1998281gt]

Maybe you could plant some veggies :D

I don't think they would taste very good growing with the gear oil I spilled in the back!

NEW problem, question, issue, whatever

I have a JKS adjustable track bar currently installed, would it be worthwhile for me to upgrade to the iron rock double shear dude? this one:

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=10215&Category_Code=PFX

Its the only thing I have left to decide on before I take it in for a real alignment.


In other news I cleaned the interior completely, I would trust sleeping in it now. stereo install is complete for now. I purchased an extended cargo basket in a black friday sale. I have a 160A alt. to go in. I also cut/buffed one door and may do the entire jeep soon. stay tuned for an array of lights attached to a cargo basket and a rear bumper / tire carrier :headbag:

[1998281gt]

I found this one too.

http://www.rockkrawler.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=RK00338XJ

[1998281gt]

it seems like maybe I also have this option?

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=10217&Category_Code=PFX

[xj-jake]

Iron Rock stuff is top notch. I'm happy with my track bar setup from there. Give them a call they're great to work with.

[4.3LXJ]

You never really said what you have in it now for a track bar

[1998281gt]

I don't think they would taste very good growing with the gear oil I spilled in the back!

NEW problem, question, issue, whatever

I have a JKS adjustable track bar currently installed, would it be worthwhile for me to upgrade to the iron rock double shear dude? this one:

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=10215&Category_Code=PFX

Its the only thing I have left to decide on before I take it in for a real alignment.


In other news I cleaned the interior completely, I would trust sleeping in it now. stereo install is complete for now. I purchased an extended cargo basket in a black friday sale. I have a 160A alt. to go in. I also cut/buffed one door and may do the entire jeep soon. stay tuned for an array of lights attached to a cargo basket and a rear bumper / tire carrier :headbag:

JKS, it was in it when I got it. on the side of the track bar that bolts to the unibody does that end of the track bar wear out over time? idk if they have a bushing in them on that end or not.

[4.3LXJ]

If you have a heim joint there, yes it can wear out over time. But why rush it. Let it wear out. Unless you just want to get that out of the way and sell the one you have for a few bucks