Ball joints or bearings

swalker · 01-27-2003, 10:37 PM

Lately ive started to notice my 90 xj "wandering". I'll keep the steering wheel straight and itll kind of go to one side, then maybe back to the other, and i have it down to either the ball joints or the axle bearings in the front being shot. The only thing now is im not sure how to determine which it is. Any help on how, or on how to fix either would be great.

BTW, its not lifted at all, if anything is lowered about 2.5" (damn saggy springs)

ROKSURF · 01-28-2003, 04:43 PM

Okay, the easy way to check your ball joints and bearing assemblies is to get a buddy to assist you and accomplish the following:
- Jack the axle up enough so the tires are off the ground
- You, or your buddy, grab the tire on the top with one hand and the bottom with the other hand. Pull the top towards you and push the bottom away from you. The person not doing the "push pull" will look at the ball joints. If there's looseness or play where the outer knuckle attaches, your ball joints are bad. If you have play or looseness where the rotor is attached, bearings are bad.
- Next, grasp the tire with one hand at the 9 O`Clock position, the other in the 3 O`Clock position. Perform the push pull manuever this time looking for slop. If you have any slop again, you've just doublechecked your work to verify what component are bad.
- Repeat on other side

I hope this helps, ROKSURF

swalker · 01-28-2003, 06:03 PM

What a day! SO ive got it down to the bearings on both sides of my front axle are bad. I was only able to do this after taking the jeep to a shop to have all the lugs pulled and replaced (all but 3 were seized). Finally get those done check the front, bearings are bad. So i figure while im at it may as well check the rear, take off the lugs and one wheel, and lo and behold, the wheel is rusted to the axle , never did get it off. SO im down there, figure i may as well check what axle i have, take a look, ive got a 35 c, but something doesnt look right. INstead of a usual diff plug, there a big rubber plug, so i start pulling at the edges ( figuring the regular plug is underneath and its just a cover), and now my diff is leaking like a sieve. SO now i have bearing s that need replacing, a real wheel that i cant get off, and leaking rear diff.

Grrr, not too impressed with the last owner of her!!!

cablesmurf · 01-28-2003, 06:08 PM

My 35c had a rubber plug in also. Ready for the bad news? The hub bearing are gonna cost you about $500 CAN to replace...if you do it yourself. They good news...they're easy to change.

Call me if you want help.

jeep-xj.com · 01-29-2003, 12:36 AM

rubber plugs are normal....
I don't get it either....

If it started leaking, it probably meant that it was overfilled. At least that I what I think. You are only supposed to fill a diff up to the hole anyway. Check the diff oil while you are at it. If it is all milky and stuff, you might want to replace it.

01-27-2003, 10:37 PM	#1
swalker Paduan Learner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Calgary, canada Posts: 63	Ball joints or bearings Lately ive started to notice my 90 xj "wandering". I'll keep the steering wheel straight and itll kind of go to one side, then maybe back to the other, and i have it down to either the ball joints or the axle bearings in the front being shot. The only thing now is im not sure how to determine which it is. Any help on how, or on how to fix either would be great. BTW, its not lifted at all, if anything is lowered about 2.5" (damn saggy springs) __________________ 90' cherokee sport, intake, light bar, Glasspack, 3", 31's, homebrew discos

01-28-2003, 04:43 PM	#2
ROKSURF XJ fever, Catch it!! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the Arizona desert Posts: 273	Okay, the easy way to check your ball joints and bearing assemblies is to get a buddy to assist you and accomplish the following: - Jack the axle up enough so the tires are off the ground - You, or your buddy, grab the tire on the top with one hand and the bottom with the other hand. Pull the top towards you and push the bottom away from you. The person not doing the "push pull" will look at the ball joints. If there's looseness or play where the outer knuckle attaches, your ball joints are bad. If you have play or looseness where the rotor is attached, bearings are bad. - Next, grasp the tire with one hand at the 9 O`Clock position, the other in the 3 O`Clock position. Perform the push pull manuever this time looking for slop. If you have any slop again, you've just doublechecked your work to verify what component are bad. - Repeat on other side I hope this helps, ROKSURF __________________ http://home.earthlink.net/~tcampbe59...s/35ssides.JPG 98 XJ with a plethora of expensive garb to make it perform like a Jeep should

01-28-2003, 06:08 PM	#4
cablesmurf Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 11	My 35c had a rubber plug in also. Ready for the bad news? The hub bearing are gonna cost you about $500 CAN to replace...if you do it yourself. They good news...they're easy to change. Call me if you want help. __________________ Compliments of your friendly neighborhood cablesmurf '91 XJ 8 1/2" longarm lift http://members.shaw.ca/cablesmurf

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01-28-2003, 06:03 PM	#3
swalker Paduan Learner Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Calgary, canada Posts: 63	What a day! SO ive got it down to the bearings on both sides of my front axle are bad. I was only able to do this after taking the jeep to a shop to have all the lugs pulled and replaced (all but 3 were seized). Finally get those done check the front, bearings are bad. So i figure while im at it may as well check the rear, take off the lugs and one wheel, and lo and behold, the wheel is rusted to the axle , never did get it off. SO im down there, figure i may as well check what axle i have, take a look, ive got a 35 c, but something doesnt look right. INstead of a usual diff plug, there a big rubber plug, so i start pulling at the edges ( figuring the regular plug is underneath and its just a cover), and now my diff is leaking like a sieve. SO now i have bearing s that need replacing, a real wheel that i cant get off, and leaking rear diff. Grrr, not too impressed with the last owner of her!!!

01-29-2003, 12:36 AM	#5
jeep-xj.com Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Monterey, California Posts: 146	rubber plugs are normal.... I don't get it either.... If it started leaking, it probably meant that it was overfilled. At least that I what I think. You are only supposed to fill a diff up to the hole anyway. Check the diff oil while you are at it. If it is all milky and stuff, you might want to replace it.