Front end refresh

[Windex]

Hey guys I've got a highish km (230k kms) WH Hemi that I've torn into over the past day or two. Since owning it (last 40k kms) I've replaced/fitted the following to the front end:

1. JBA upper control arms
2. MOOG replacement lower control arms
3. OME springs and shocks ~2" lift
4. Wheel bearings
5. Discs and pads
6. Swaybar D-bushes
7. Swaybar endlinks (Jeeperf)

In trying to track down a squeak and a odd bearing rumble I've dropped the following off the car:

1. Both knuckles
2. Both CV shafts
3. Calipers and discs
4. Front diff

The noise appears to be coming from my inner tie rod which has ingested some water despite the boots being intact so I think a clean and re-grease of the steering rack is required. I'm thinking since I have it all apart I'll replace the inner tie rods as while I cant feel any play in them I suspect the water will have done its work.

I've removed the diff and the rubber bushes are intact (surprise, surprise), while I had it on my bench I thought I'd open the cover, upon opening it looks like my ELSD connector was broken off, no idea how that is possible or if it was bumped/broken off as I removed the cover but could explain some of the "Clutch performance" codes I was getting, however I suspect I would have had more serious codes than that if that was actually the case. I've also got a spare front diff from a wreck that I scored for cheap awhile back that came with two genuine MOPAR CV shafts. Both diffs seem reasonable inside, no major gear wear or anything else that looks too serious, however both had a bit of burnt oil/clutch material in them and were quite black. I'm tempted to break one of the diffs down to have a look at the oil pump, piston and clutch packs that make up the ELSD just to satisfy my own curiosity but have struggled to find anything other than the usual master install kits that have seals+bearings.

Currently the replacement list looks like this:

• Inner tie rods
• Swap in the new to me diff or regear

What else would you recommend doing while under there with the diff out of the way?

[08crd]

The front drive shaft CV joint, on the transfer case end, is a part that usually requires replacement around the 200k mark.

[Windex]

Originally Posted by 08crd

The front drive shaft CV joint, on the transfer case end, is a part that usually requires replacement around the 200k mark.

Other than the boot deteriorating is there any way to validate the condition of it? My boot is intact and sounds like there is still grease in there.

[08crd]

All you can do is a 'feel' inspection, if the boot is good and there is no free play and it is smooth through movement it might be o.k.
It is just a few on here have been caught away from civilization with the failure, also my old car required it doing at about 220k, it is a Ford XR8 replacement part from memory.
If you need the details they are on here somewhere, anyway best of luck with it all, magic car IMO well worth doing an extensive overhaul of bushes etc at 200k, it will stand you in good stead.

[H2Micr0]

I have read on a few US posts about the wiring connector breaking in the diff.

I suspect mine is dodgy like that as sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

It is on my list of parts to acquire and replace when I service the front diff.

Cheers
Ben.

[Windex]

Yeah I'll swap in the good one from the spare diff I think, found that my driverside lower ball joint has alot of play in it (only ~30k km on it) so thats going to need replacing too.

[ren0vator]

Got your work cut out for you Windex
Go Hard