Jeep WJ: Ball Joints & Front CV / U-Joint Conversion

As I continue on chipping away at the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee I am ready to install the new ball joints and the Iron Rock Off Road U-Joint axles and ditch these cruddy CV shafts. -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained

[@isabellarenzi2431]

Eric, on behalf of my Dad, you're awesome. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world. I subscribed to your channel so my dad can watch all your videos because he's not into social media. #Forzaitalia 🇮🇹💕

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh that is nice of you, maybe just set him up his own YT account and show him how to comment?

[@isabellarenzi2431]

He only speaks Italian 🇮🇹 (I'm his translator) 😄

[@OverlandTT]

Isabella, show him google translate.

[@dangates2266]

@@SouthMainAuto oh jeepers, now that Isabella's dad is watching you will have to figure out how to fix FIATs. Isn't it great how fixing cars is fixing cars! Doesn't matter what it is, if you like working on cars, you like the one that needs work!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh wow, you have your work cut out for you!

[@floorpizza8074]

Somewhere in the vid, Mr. O says it's a "boring video." Not to us, Mr. O. I learn something from *every* video, and they're always entertaining. Here it is four years later, and you're still teaching us stuff.

[@Zib187]

Nice use of the Polish word "Dupa"! Takes me back to my childhood when why grandfather would speak Polish with his neighbor so that the other neighbors wouldn't know that they were talking about them.

[@spelunkerd]

I never fail to learn something more on another ball joint video, ha ha. Another classic SMA video, entertaining and educational.

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Good video. Just proves there is no limit to the number of right uses for the wrong tool!

[@dangates2266]

Every tool has a hammer end!

[@idnld1588]

14:00 "You just gotta keep shifting your cup around and make sure everything is going in straight." Classic SMA one-liners! Congrats on the (almost) 200k.

[@gearheadautomotivel.l.c.5476]

The ball joint press set is one place I'm glad I went Snap-On. I really like the way theirs is designed and the standard master set comes with the angled cups for these and the twin I-beam Fords. Plus the whole set is lifetime warranty. Of course it does come with a hefty price tag (Surprise!)

[@81dakid]

I do not regret spending the extra cash on BJP1. Totally worth it.

[@puppacito]

Agreed! Snap on set is best!

[@bradolson1102]

Nothing like grabbing a cold one and enjoying an SMA jeep repair video.....

[@Twizter68]

Suggestion: put aftermarket axle seals on. They will keep water and mud, etc out of the tubes, especially since the u-joint axles don't cover off the tube like the cv axles did.

[@1970chevelle396]

Those axles look a lot better than the original ones.

[@mikechiodetti6737]

You put the ball joints in with the press, but started them with the punch. I waited and waited,.....but.........no BIG NASTY ! ! ! LOL! GREAT VIDEO! Almost ready for "Off Road Time!" WOOOOOO HOOOOOO ! ! !

[@PhilGoldblum]

It will eat both ball joints and wheel bearings but still great fun. I use the OTC Dana 30/44 cup set - works well. Thanks for the video!

[@wbball15]

Thanks, Eric. Watching again in 2023.

[@codybertram6122]

One thing I like about cv axles is when they get old or start to bind, they won’t pop the ball joints apart or tear the knuckle up like a u joint axle will.

[@boboften9952]

Air tools, And lifter saves the strain and / or pressure on your back , shoulder, arm joints. EXCELLENT.

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Im not a Jeep guy but I love the wrenchin'. Thank you! SMA#1 God bless Paul

[@elcheapo5302]

Love me some late night SMA! Dangerously close to 200k, Mr. O! Congrats!

[@SimpleLife1971]

A couple of years ago I bought the Astro Master Ball Joint Kit #7897 which comes with the tapered Jeep adapter. This makes working on Jeep easier and the adapter number is 7897-11. Another outstanding video from the man at South Main Auto! Thank you Mr. O!!

[@tonywhitaker8146]

I really enjoy this channel. With Eric's no b.s. attitude and professional skills I learn a lot.

[@dav8388]

I did ball joints on my brothers grand Cherokee. I put the upper one in the freezer for a while and it went in like butter.

[@VWWRENCHIE]

That's the great thing about working on a Jeep...like any good soap opera, you can walk away for awhile ......and when you come back to it you still wonder WHY am I working on a Jeep?...you like a challenge ,that's why. All Chrysler products contain a mystery....solving it is the problem.

[@SouthMainAuto]

And the good news is they are always broke so you never run out of things to do

[@VWWRENCHIE]

Lee Iacocca would be proud of your perseverance Eric..

[@SouthMainAuto]

Ahhh the man responsible for the Pinto haha

[@paulcopeland9035]

@@SouthMainAuto......and the Mustang!

[@bill3641]

"proper maintenance" aka constant flow of fresh parts.

[@markchidester6239]

Yup, the 242 needs a different driveshaft. Liked the tap with a hammer when installing the top ball joint. Nice tip, looked to work great

[@JPilot2]

G'day, Mr. O! That was awesome! I really enjoyed watching your Iron Rock Off Road - replacement U-Joint axles, and ditching the cruddy CV shafts. Terrific job with "Jeep WJ" Ball Joints, Front CV, and U-Joint Conversion! I am looking forward to seeing more, as you continue on doing the "Jeep WJ!!" Thank you! Cheers! 😊🛠❤️✌🏼

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

"... like I may or may not have done on the other side !" Good morning chuckle. I know I have done things like that !!

[@sheriffjim2]

thank you Eric O, had to adjust hand brake cable on my SUV which meant going into the console never been there before and I just kept thinking to myself what would Eric O do, job done and no breakage cheers mate.

[@thebanjoman1963]

I put my ball joints in the freezer the night before and take 'em out and work fast. I don't have any proof it makes it any easier but I like to think it does.

[@throttlebottle5906]

cold ball joints and heat the other parts or don't lol. just them being cold will likely shrink the OD a bit, as to how much someone with a micrometer will have to see ;)

[@tomashton1781]

I have a 1990 yj 4 banger, my gripe is the intake manifold with the throttle body is too small, just for giggles I removed the sway bar, and the panhard bar, cant tell the difference, but I did put the bar back, when I bought this jeep a few years ago, the axles were mounted on top, but put em back to stock but I bought new springs , 2.5 lift in back and longer heavier shackles in the front, and rear, way better then stock no carpet bare floor and in the summer the roof and doors are on the porch, I had to put wedges under the front springs to get more caster, fun thing is in my town no two jeeps are the same, I like your no nonsense aproach to all the cars you work on, back when I was turning wrenchs we still had points and no computers.

[@ryankovaly3927]

Almost 200K!!! 🤙🏻🔥🤟🏻... thanks for the vidja Erik love watching the good old nuts n bolts videos !

[@ellobo8593]

Ryan Kovaly, well said sir....

[@smokyace4917]

I hope people got the stud joke. I did and I was laughing for a good minute. Love your jokes. Always here to enjoy them even if not everyone gets them.

[@gravit853]

"Eric Inside" sticker.. lmao

[@outbackcountry512]

We ran into same problem getting them out my son's Jeep , I simply cut off the old stud part and pressed out the cup part , saved lot of grief switching stuff around , putting back in was no issues with the ball joint press, made set of cups outta some pipe I had on slight angle to offset the angle they go in on .

[@erikjohnson2889]

I think I've watched every SMA ball joint/control arm/shock/strut/bearing/brake job video, and it's nice to see everything come apart without Big Nasty (no offense to Big Nasty). You deserve a break from all that dang rust, Eric! I hope you're enjoying that beast of a Jeep.

[@consaka1]

Just use some upgraded CV axles. They are spendy but I'm saving up for them because I hate the standard Ujoints. The upgraded CV are stronger than the UJoints as well.

[@rodneyhutton4502]

Hi Eric. See the new axles dont have the rubber boot. I would of thought that was a must in the salted roads to keep the rust out and save the new uni. Why dont the come with rubber boots??? Im no mechanic BTW. lol

[@NoWr2Run]

WOW, those bolts & nuts came loose very nicely.

[@jamesbruno5896]

Those axles look killer! 💪 Awesome job Eric!

[@BruceLyeg]

Hey! I finally got to participate in an SMA repair video "MmpPop" I said it along with you. You're welcome. FTR, I've been to every province in Canada and never heard anyone here say "aboot". The only time I ever hear that is when Americans try to imitate Canadians lol. To be fair, we do some pretty bad American accents too.

[@paulgallagher3122]

You’re an absolute crack up ! Competent, precise and fast....funny guy too!

[@baxrok2.]

Moving Wr-ight along sir. Thanks Dr. O!

[@danbierschbach7743]

Neat trick with the upper ball joint and the hammer. have not seen that done before..

[@jake-mv5oi]

A popular upgrade for XJ/TJ/ZJ''s is to swap the outer knuckles from a WJ to get the crossover steering and the bigger brakes. That spacer is required to maintain the U-joint centered with the ball joint centerline. Most of the companies offering the spacer recommend that it be welded to the knuckle due to the fact that there's now .25" less of the hub sitting inside the knuckle, so there's maybe 1/8" of the hub engaged with the hole in the knuckle and those 3 bolts are carrying more of the vehicle weight. I don't understand why they can't just make the shafts the right length and ditch the spacer completely. Maybe so you can use stock Dana 30 u-jointed shafts for spares.

[@danielbennett5283]

Thanks for the in depth how too. I followed your instructions for freeing off the ball joints; worked like a charm. This was on a 2004 WG 2.7 Diesel grand cherokee with the Mercedes 5 cylinder engine. I think you guys had the same engine in the dodge sprinter/freightliner van.

[@throttlebottle5906]

should have done the axle seals while at it! my reasoning? I don't think about fluid leaking out, I think more about water/mud leaking in and before you catch it, you need a major rebuild.

[@quadpit]

So jealous of your clean, little-to-no rust WJ. I miss mine but also happy with my FJ Cruiser I currently own. I know you probably can't get away from work long enough but you ought to go on a Colorado/Utah adventure with us next summer leaving Ohio. It will change your life going on Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass and Moab slickrock. (I hate mudding) Getting ready to Fluid Film my FJ with the kit I bought last winter so thanks for that video also. Cheers from Ohio a fellow salt state.

[@craighiebert3384]

Speaking of Canadians, one KZbin channel I watch is Joe Robinet - he makes tons of bushcraft videos. He's got that great Canadian dialect.

[@mikemassegrafixshopmike]

I know you won't buy the bj1 but it's totally worth the money

[@mattwagner7489]

Let me go find a torque wrench........Probably took a long time to find that. Next time on SMA, cooking with fluid film and how to make your house sparkle with brake clean. Good video as usual Eric.

[@jerryshaffer9680]

Love the whole project... keep the videos coming!

[@philsmith1130]

You made it look easy, thanks Eric.

[@edwalker3084]

Hi Eric. Just watched the WJ ball joint replacement. Here's a little tip I've use when installing the new joints, I put the joints in the freezer for about an hour. ( Wife doesn't like it much). Then with so heat,warm up the knuckle. The joint almost falls in. Hope it works for you. I enjoy your channel. Picked up my new tricks. Take care.

[@elijahherman]

Erik O the type of guy to cook his eggs in fluid film in the morning. just a toot!!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Who doesn't? 😏

[@RedneckRickem]

Next time put the upper ball joint in first and put the threaded rod through the hole where the lower goes, coming together man, Cheers

[@hanskinslo326]

Rickem's in the house!

[@markchidester6239]

That's for when you don't have a lift. Know it well!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey there stranger! Well ya see the upper and lower holes are not on top of each other or I would, they are offset enough you can not do that on this axle :)

[@mikeholt3545]

What about a pickle fork for a spacer?

[@borilopez8581]

Thank you men i really enjoy every single videos you make blessings

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Loving these videos Eric

[@brianmason1414]

Building an off road vehicle... AWESOME!

[@Dustin_the_wind]

You do what you gotta do, we get what we get.

[@ironeagle2526]

ahhh back to the beast thanks Mr.O

[@mmiller1188]

I went the other way with my Cherokee for the axle shafts. Never had a problem with the HD spicer joints (5-760) and a front locker but I've seen them pop the knuckle off when they do manage to blow. I ended up getting some cheap CV shafts with a lifetime warranty and I carry the shafts with spicer joints around as spares just in case.

[@505xjk6]

U made that ball joint job look easy.hope it that easy for me.awesome video.can't wait for the breakage and transfer case swap.

[@Bekim8310]

Awesome video Eric! I had that 242 t-case on my old ZJ, It was a lot of fun to drive. I now own a WK2 and no way in hell can get that selec-trac option again.

[@alexludwig4632]

242 tcase swap need front driveshaft and front diff yoke swap depending which year you got and get the donor 242 from. Good job homie.

[@AraCarrano]

Nice Polish word substitution for PITA.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Ahhh you caught that huh... nice :)

[@Eastahtata]

Was not expecting expecting that either haha.

[@timothybarney7257]

Thought that was a PA thing. My mom used it all the time when I was a kid pre 80s.

[@nbrowser]

And ladies and gentlemen, the elusive torque wrench/ratchet makes an appearance at 29:30 at the SMA shop. It's public display is so rare that I'm shocked it's even out in DAYLIGHT! Someone call Ripleys...cause I sure as hell don't believe it!

[@mattwagner7489]

Only because it's his car. He probably had to dust it off.

[@chrislange4991]

Click!

[@Werewolfmage]

Ive seen it in several videos

[@chex313]

When Eric says "Right to specs" after tightening something...That is where the torque wrench is edited out...lol

[@john7017]

Jeep is looking good! Thanks for sharing.

[@RingZero]

Great video Eric, keep those coming. Man’s hands are made to do work 🤓

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Them thar ball joint removal tools are the 'dawgs gonads' although I have a 'cheep' Chinese copy...works very well indeed. Would like the 'real deal' Astro one but it's beyond my budgetary means. Amazing how much info and technical skills I have gained by watching Eric 'O's channel...Many thanks 'Professor'.....Or are you a 'Wizard'??

[@drakeawoken4189]

i use my brass wire brush to clean them, havnt had issues with that yet and it works well and fast

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Get some 1/4" thick washers, grind down 1/2 a radius to make wedges, cut out a section, make a "U" shape. Now you have angled wedges for future ball joints. Make a handful, keep in kit. Way cheaper than extra cups.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video Eric O @South Main Auto

[@jamie66233]

Has anyone else noticed the writing on the tire?? "DISCOVERER" LMAO!! Absolutely hated doing those front ends....ive done MANY

[@throttlebottle5906]

shrugs, cooper tire...

[@daver681]

Get you some of those longer straight grease fittings for those in the ball joints, there are all kinds of them on Ebay

[@ryenaslakson5701]

On the caps of the u joints I would tack weld then in place due to the inner clips coming out during heavy off road use

[@jakevipond3938]

I'd like to see a video on the 242 swap if you ever get around to it

[@Dustin_the_wind]

You know. Thanks Mr. O.

[@125sm3]

Great video & the Jeep is coming on and looking wicked.

[@johnmcdonough955]

By 4:25 Eric has adjusted his approach to southern vehicle hospitality.

[@stevebucuris8420]

The top one first to install

[@Martin-dg8xy]

Nice pick trick! I don't want to buy the adaptor either! Press onward, thanks, Eric,

[@delta999999]

Hi Eric, thanks for sharing the video.

[@63256325N]

Nicely done. Thanks for the video.

[@joshr8176]

When will you be bringing us diagnostic content again? IE: Scope videos (jumped timing, sensor fall out issues, weak signal), no starts deeper then the coiled wire missing, intermittent electrical issues, so on and so forth. I enjoy your videos, humor and approach.

[@jamesbondero6170]

And remember, there is no more important safety item...Norm points to his glasses...than to wear these , safety glasses!

[@throttlebottle5906]

heh, used to always watch on the weekend, both This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop, cannot say I've seen every episode, but a very high number of them. 1989 to 2009, I was a young lad then at age 11/12. I know I watched old house before 1989, because I didn't like Bob Vila, but still watched for the content, tools, materials and of course all the tips and tricks! I still watch, and there's still new things to learn ;)

[@wyattoneable]

You do nice work Eric.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

CONGRATS on 200k!! I figured you'd be there pretty fast from the moment I subbed. 😎 👍 🍻 Thing is lookin' good man! Makes me want to build something ... if only the state didn't vacuum up every last cent I have ...🤬

[@charliedee9276]

Put the 242HD in, it's worth it. I replaced the 247 in my 04 4.7, wasn't too hard to find the 242. I put a 3" on and had a Tom Woods D/S made with a SYE from IRO.

[@waltermaxner4005]

Hey Mr. O. Walter here. Future reference if you put the ball joints in the freezer first before installing they will slide in mo easier. LOL. thanks as always.

[@ericcorse]

Good tip on the tapping when installing ball joints. The passenger side on my Trailblazer was bound up most of the way. Should have thought about the hammer option. I'm curious if the front axle will bind up worse on tight turns.

[@FsJuicyJ]

If those 12 point wheel bearing bolts are the same ones the XJ has (I assume so because they both have Dana 30 front axles) You can get 10.9 Grade M12-1.75 by 90mm 6 point bolts to replace the 12 point ones. Makes future wheel bearing replacements much less stressful, and you're way less likely to strip a 6 point bolt over a 12 point. If you can't find 90mm 100mm length should also work, 110mm is too long.

[@CTSCAPER]

That was a slick kit! It's too bad Jeep didn't go with front axles from the get go.

[@pyro323]

Hey Eric you gotta come up with a sound effect for the fluid film.

[@NoWr2Run]

HELLO NO, he scares me enough with that damn brake cleaner THING. OK maybe something a little softer perhaps ?

[@k0rndog93]

The brake clean sound has to be intense, because it's an intense moment lol

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

Coming out nice, as always love your videos thank you

[@mark98070]

Awesome improvement over the crappy CV joints!

[@UBBERTANKER]

Jeep life means a never ending project and money pit haha, Kind of funny you went from a wrangler to a wj and i went wj to a tj but its my toy and i dont daily it or drive it in the winter so no need for comfort haha

[@swanie_6448]

Another awesome video...!!

[@anthonydagosto7672]

Snap on set comes with angled cups for this very issue

[@juanheredia4426]

Sweet, SMA tonight

[@LDReptiles]

I'd love to see you use big nasty to do a wheel bearing, well removing the race from the hub I'm curious as to how much faster it removes it then snap on. Clamp the hub In the vice where the wheel would go on and catch the edge of the race with the air hammer and giver the beans!

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

Dropping nuts and like a ding dong...only on SMA.

[@ThePeopleVerse]

It's been a while since my formal trainin' but I 'member when we wuz told to tighten kings and balls joints to a "suspected" torque value and then use a pull gauge (like what folks uses to weigh their luggage) and hook the steer arm and turn it. If it wuz too light then tighten the nut more. Sumthin' like 25 or 34 pounds (or euros if you cross the big pond) LOL But I guess that's an outdated practice with these new fangled thingys. Nice vid.

[@bryanmcentush4788]

Professional dam you make it look ez,, so I've got one for you, got the iron rock u joint conversion kit myself, the u joints themselves are extremely tight to the point where the bearing house is cracked, the u joints are toasted awaiting iron rock response...