Bent Axle or Blown Ball Joints/ Hub Bearing?

[WILDHOBO]

Whoever pressed in that joint is an idiot.
So the knuckle has to come out to pull the axle shaft? That's a pain.

I don’t get it. I can’t remove a knuckle without first removing the axle shaft. No way to drop it off the ball joints with the axle in the way.

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[Vtur]

I don’t get it. I can’t remove a knuckle without first removing the axle shaft. No way to drop it off the ball joints with the axle in the way.

It's doable with the unit bearing removed first but it's still a pita having to remove the knuckle every times and risking damage the BJ boots.

 

[BearFootSam]

I'm assuming these cracks and gaps shouldn't be there?

Suboptimal for sure

 

[WILDHOBO]

It's doable with the unit bearing removed first but it's still a pita having to remove the knuckle every times and risking damage the BJ boots.

I’d definitely not want an axle that can’t be removed without pulling the knuckle. I’d just not buy it. Seems like poor design. Or I’m missing something.

 

[tj3089]

Here's hoping I don't have any issues on the trail. The gladiator it's not my dedicated trail rig at the moment, and I don't plan on taking it on any crazy obstacles.

 

[tj3089]

Thanks to @Gregj and his son, we were able to muscle the axle under the jeep and get the control arms connected.

Like advertised, all the components bolted right up and didn't need any modifications.

Even the steering stabilizer would have mounted to the ram mount on the axle. So I'm not sure why they state in their fine print that a aftermarket track bar bolt from a JK must be used. It was honestly harder to mount that way and I had to bend the lower tab on the ram mount down a smidge.

This should hold me over until this summer when I get psc or the apex ram steering.

 

[tj3089]

The new 1350 driveshaft from Dana does not weigh a lot more than the stock driveshaft, that's a pleasant surprise. It is slightly smaller in diameter as well, so it should have more room before hitting the cross member.

The stock transfer case yoke came off easily with the impact gun. The 1350 yoke went on easily and was torqued down to the recommended spec.

I had to run to the parts store a few times to get all the right tools, of course. Crows feet are great in tight spaces.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The new 1350 driveshaft from Dana does not weigh a lot more than the stock driveshaft, that's a pleasant surprise. It is slightly smaller in diameter as well, so it should have more room before hitting the cross member.

The stock transfer case yoke came off easily with the impact gun. The 1350 yoke went on easily and was torqued down to the recommended spec.

I had to run to the parts store a few times to get all the right tools, of course. Crows feet are great in tight spaces.

Lots of work. Great job.

 

[tj3089]

Lots of work. Great job.

Thank you! It was tough doing it all in my driveway, but it was not my first axle swap. I put some beefed up axles on my TJ a couple years ago.

I couldn't have done it without @Gregj and his son though! That sucker was heavy! How heavy ill post soon.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thank you! It was tough doing it all in my driveway, but it was not my first axle swap. I put some beefed up axles on my TJ a couple years ago.

I couldn't have done it without @Gregj and his son though! That sucker was heavy! How heavy ill post soon.

Up until 2025, everything I did to mine was in a driveway. Often a snowy one. And every other car I’ve owned and worked on. It’s no joke. Mad respect.

 

[tj3089]

Is there anyone out there that would be willing to measure their ground clearance under the front pumpkin with 37s? I forgot to measure it because I was so excited, but I took some measurements from my rear dana 44.

Looks like I have about the same ground clearance as I did before, because my badlands 3 ton jack just squeezes under the front with the lift extension.

The rotated front pumpkin did not hurt ground clearance as much as everyone said it would. I was actually pleasantly surprised.

 

[tj3089]

Up until 2025, everything I did to mine was in a driveway. Often a snowy one. And every other car I’ve owned and worked on. It’s no joke. Mad respect.

I'm actually very blessed to have a carport over the driveway too. Working during the triple digit summers here sucks without shade any shade.

 

[Gregj]

Is there anyone out there that would be willing to measure their ground clearance under the front pumpkin with 37s? I forgot to measure it because I was so excited, but I took some measurements from my rear dana 44.

Looks like I have about the same ground clearance as I did before, because my badlands 3 ton jack just squeezes under the front with the lift extension.

The rotated front pumpkin did not hurt ground clearance as much as everyone said it would. I was actually pleasantly surprised.

Alright, I’ll post up. My JLU on K02’s in 37 x 12.5R 17’s measures 11 1/2 inches to the lowest point of the pumpkin. From the ground to the center of the wheel is 17 1/2 inches.

it’s hard to hold a flexible tape measure and take a picture LOL.

Gregj

 

[MPMB]

Smidge over 11.5" on mine as well, 35psi, parked backed in on a sloped driveway (but only on a Tuesday in May).

I could go grab my wife's tape and double check...

 

[tj3089]

The tie rod had to be replaced with a straight style type. The curved one I had would not clear the hd60 pumpkin according to currie, I never tried it.

I found the steer smarts yeti tie on sale for black friday and snagged it for the build. It seems beefier than the rockjock tie rod I had on there. There seems to be less play in the steering.

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