Hey, I need to replace the U-joint on the driver side front axle of my '87 Cherokee, it's completely gone and about to fall apart.

It's probably pretty self explanatory when I get it apart, but just wanted to see in advance if I need to pull the whole axle out of the diff to do this job or if the U-joint can be taken off without doing that. I'm assuming I will have to take the whole 4WD hub apart to get to anything in the first place, right?

Thanks.

I'm not that familiar with the Cherokee, but it it's anything like my CJ, you'll have to pull the driver's side hub apart and remove the driver's side half-shaft.

You can replace the u-joint yourself, but I find it easier just to take it to the auto parts store where I get the u-joint and have them press the old one out and the new one in. They charge 15-20 bucks, and it's worth it to me.

That axle shaft could be wasted where the joint goes in, if it has been banging around with no needle bearings. Yes, the axle shaft needs to come out to fix it. Caliper/rotor off, loosen (don't remove yet)three bolts from inside of the knuckle, then the tricky part of getting the unit bearing out, NO SLIDE HAMMERS, brass hammer or block of wood and smack on the heads of the bolts driving the unit bearing out. Once the shaft and bearing is out (you can do this without removing the big nut in the center) remove the remains of the joint tap in the new one get the clips on.
Reassemble.

SD