Jeep CV axle replacement

[JL Rockies]

Mine have been deteriorating over some time and now the clunking and banging has come to a peak.

The dealer verified that the noise I'm hearing is indeed the excessive play in the axles and they require replacement....... to the tune of $1200 P&L. I am currently out of work so I would like to tackle the job and save the labor costs (so I can pay rent and stuff). I have done some research on the issue and figured out the tools and steps required to do the job.

Any experts out there in RME land help a new in town (see no friends) enthusiast with advice or assistance? I plan to order the parts from NAPA and pick up and tools I don't currently have.

I've got mad 12V skillz so I could help anyone with wiring of an alarm or stereo or lights in exchange. Unfortunately, my automotive background doesn't do me any good in this case.

MY rig is a 2006 KJ CRD

 

[74highboy]

it shouldnt be to bad when do you plan on doing it

 

[JL Rockies]

Everyone tells me it's pretty straight forward. I've just never done it before. I am going to order the parts from NAPA later today. Chances are, they will have to order the axles since the diesel is different than the gassers.

Once I have the parts in hand, I will make a game plan. I have friends coming in from out of state and I promised them I would take them around MOAB. They start arriving on 7/17 so the goal is to be ship shape before then.

Since I'm not working right now, I can work around anyone's schedule that's willing to lend a hand and/or guidance.

 

[chans]

I have done a bunch of Toyotas but no Jeeps. Are the axles bolted to the diff like Chevys or are they held in by a clip like imports? I have a 250lb torque wrench you can use for the axle nut and a couple different axle nut sockets if you don't have them and both types of CV boot clamp pliers if you have to assemble the boots.

 

[JL Rockies]

Thanks to the German influence, a lot of what holds my Jeep together (including the Euro CRD engine) is more like foreign engineering than domestic. So I have to deal with the clips. One of my buddies over at ARA is going to help me next weekend so you're all off the hook!

I paid $64 and $72 for the axles (reman) over at NAPA. The dealer wanted $300 per side plus labor.

Ironically, back in 1989 when my CVs in my 1987 Hyundai went, it was the same price of R&R as I was quoted 20 years later: $1200.

So if labor rates have not changed in 20 years but cost of living and doing business has, how does one survive as a mechanic these days?

 

[Toad]

1200 bucks good hell I just checked the flat rate on that job It is only 1.7 hours to do both of them. So even if the dealer was a 100 bucks an hour that still should only be $770.00 parts and labor. If your were here in Logan id give ya a hand. Axles should be a piece of cake though.