Axle shaft question

[MJfan94]

So i heard that cv style axle shafts fit on the dana 30 on xj and mj and i was wondering if theres any benefits to the swap or not.

[gogmorgo]

Yup. You can find them in stock at many parts stores.

Otherwise, generally smoother operation. Coupled with my np242 transfer case's full-time, 4x4 is basically unnoticeable, no shakes or jerking no matter how hard I crank the steering wheel.

 

Disadvantages are greater maintenance requirements, having to inspect the boot for cracks, and if something happens, you pretty well need to replace the whole shaft, whereas often a u-joint failure can be addressed without even pulling out the shaft. Mind you, I've never managed to catch a u-joint before the yoke was damaged beyond salvage... I've broken two under HIGH torque loads, and when the joint cracked it blew apart and the yokes smashed into each other. But if you catch it before it outright breaks or loses a cap, it's much cheaper to replace a u-joint than the entire cv shaft.

 

I'm happy with the upgrade, but then I don't do any hardcore off-roading, and my MJ rarely sees anything that wasn't intended as a road at some point.

[MJfan94]

Thanks for the info. I do some very mild offroading right now and i was considering replaceing my axle shafts from the two part kind to the solid shaft kind and get rid of that vacuum axle thing and wanted to know if it would be worth it and it looks like it might just be.