Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

'08 Rubicon Front Outer Axles

731 views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  4Jeepn 
#1 ·
Took our '08 Rubicon to a trans shop to have the front axle seals replaced. I normally do all of my own work but I thought I'd leave this one to a pro.

He called and said both front axle u-joints were shot, which is probably what took out the seals. It made sense because my step-son (who is the primary driver of it) has been complaining about clunking/grinding on slow turns.

The guy told me that the front u-joints weren't replaceable and he would have to replace the outer axles. I didn't think much of it as I've run into that sort of thing before on other cars. A quick search, however, made me think that they were indeed replaceable. He charged me $125 each for the new parts.

He called back later and said he had 2 parts houses deliver the parts and none were right. He said he called the dealer and that there was a mid-year change on those front axles and that the kind we have are no longer available. There's a local place that manufactures them and we are picking them up for him this morning. Doing more research, I don't see any mention of a mid-year change. All of the outer axles seem to be the same for the Rubicon 08 through 17.

Am I being lied to?
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Yes

Last year I had the u joints and an axle seal replaced on an 09' ruby

One shop told me I had to replace the ball joints to do the u joints, bullshit. I did upgrade my ball joints at that time even though they didn't need it I knew it was a good opportunity to do so.
 
#3 ·
No i went through the same crap.

Quoted from JKO
The 5004891 has also been replaced by 5-7166x. Somewhere in there was a 5-17166x. Working on an answer with Spicer right now on that....

You want the 5-7166x joint unless you can find the 5004891 i used on mine.
 
#4 ·
Front Axle U-Joints - 4 Wheel Parts

That's the same u joint I put on my 09' if I'm not mistaken. This was pulled up for an 07' Rubicon, if they're not replaceable what's up?
 
#6 ·
If you can afford it, great time for HD ball joints
 
#7 ·
u-joints are replaceable and no need to replace the entire outer axle shaft.. find a new shop would be my vote..
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top