Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hey guys,

The front of rear driveshaft has quite a bit of play up and down where it comes out of the gearbox.

I have not taken it out for an inspection as all the gear oil runs out. It does not leak.

Has anyone taken one of these CV joints apart? There is play in the CV joint itself and also where it comes out of the transfercase.

I am hoping it is my random rattle when climbing in low 2nd.

hi NJV6,

you mean the uni-joint? they are technically not constant velocity joints.

They can make a hell of a noise when they fail, so it may be the rattle you describe.

They are relatively easy to replace, all you need are a set of snapring pliers (inward), a hammer, a socket set, and a decent bench vice - and of course a new uni joint! When getting your uni joint, don't get the one with the grease nipple on the outside... it gets knocked off when offroad. get the one with the nipple between two parts of the cross.

Take all the four snap rings out, then grab yourself a socket that fits just inside the lobes of the prop-shaft. Now hitting the socket, drive the uni out one way - make sure the lobe opposite is flat against the bench vice or bench, otherwise you may bend it. when you can drive no more, get a bigger socket, one the same size as the lobe, then put this between the lobe and the vice or bench... keep driving. eventually the bearing will rise out of the lobe enough for you to grab it with something and twist it out. now use something to smahs the uni the other way to reverse the opposite side out. you have now removed one plane of the uni joint. repeat on the other pair.

now stare in wonder as you find there are no rollers left in the old uni bearings.. just rusty dust, lol, thats why it was loose, grease all came out and she overheated.

the new one is easier to put in.. be gentle! note the special grease the uni comes with it is adhesive so you can remove the bearings without loosing the rollers. remove the bearings, put the uni in the middle of the lobes and then tap a bearing in either side, once in and square, stick it in the vice and squeeze it together. when home, tap the bearings home with the small socket you used earlier...just enough to get the snap rings in. take care that the inner races of the uni cross do not bind on the rollers, because they will snap the rollers. Think about how you position the grease nipple, or you won't be able to maintain it!! don't forget to greas eteh new uni too.

when done, grease and inspect the other three unis, hopefully they are ok. The last ones i did were on a Paj, three of the four were stuffed!

HI, thanks for the reply.

I should have elaborated and said that the 3.5 shorties has cv joints instead of a universal for the front ofthe rear shaft.