Should I preemptively replace my wheel bearings, axle u joints, and ball joints?

[adventureboss]

I'm a student in college and I have a little free time this summer. I was wondering if while I had the time, it would be a good idea to replace the wheel axle u joints, wheel bearings, and ball joints on my 2006 Jeep Wrangler before they go bad and I have to spend a ton of money at a mechanic. It has about 210k miles on it and all the components are original, but it's a stock vehicle, no lift and stock sized tires. I take it off roading a good bit.

I don't see any excessive play, or hear or feel the wheel bearings going bad. I'm just wondering if I'm on borrowed time at 210k miles and it's going to start giving me issues at the worst possible time. Most vehicles that go offroad have probably had those components replaced at least once by this mileage right?

 

[burbguy82]

no, grease them a few shots of grease each and roll on. likely the components you have in there now are better than what you will have put in today

 

[ctechbob]

no, grease them a few shots of grease each and roll on. likely the components you have in there now are better than what you will have put in today

That's what I was thinking. The quality of parts these days is such a crap-shoot that you might end up with worse parts in there.

 

[Danno]

I would do the procedure and take the wheels off and see how much play you have. I work at a jeep store, seen them replaced at 65k. Not customer pay jobs. Make a call from there.

 

[Donald]

I would say no unless excessive wear has been detected. You may not be able to fully check all the suspension components unless it's on a lift with the weight off the vehicle.

Maybe sway bar bushing would be a candidate to get replaced due to miles on vehicle.

 

[berniedd]

No need for that. Just keep an eye on them, they do give warning signs long before they fail completely.

 

[barbersurgeon]

Any part that is protected by a rubber seal or boot, this is the chance to look for leaks, tears, or cracking. That’s where I’d start.

Then front suspension bushings. Oh and check the brake lines and caliper piston seals as well if you haven’t.

Also fuel filter is often left in place till failure.

 

[D60]

This is a random worry. If you have no play, leave them alone. If a bj develops play even the first day of the semester, you're fine for the ENTIRE semester because it grows slowly.

If a u-joint develops play replace just that joint. It's easy unless you're in the rust belt.

If you put in an aftermarket wb assy, it's probably less reliable than OEM with 210k, as noted by others.

If this is a Sport with D35 rear I'd replace rear pinion bearings if you want to replace something preemptively. If 4.0 replace the RMS if you're itching to do something.

Pretty sure the TJ didn't get a standalone fuel filter.

 

[Lubener]

In most cases the OEM components are better than many Chinese aftermarket ones, so I say unless something is worn out, I would leave everything alone.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I have 275,000 miles on my 3/4 ton suburban and had the front wheel bearings done a long time ago. I’m thinking the lower ball joints will be next. If you have the time and access to the tools, this would be a good project for a young man.

 

[Ranger83]

How many miles do you drive it a year? How much of that is off road?

 

[AZjeff]

If it's a 4.0 you want to be aware of the Oil Pump Drive Assembly, or OPDA. Search Jeep Wrangler OPDA so you're familiar with it and symptoms of it failing.

Here's a thread about it: Jeep OPDA

 

[Trav]

I'm a student in college and I have a little free time this summer. I was wondering if while I had the time, it would be a good idea to replace the wheel axle u joints, wheel bearings, and ball joints on my 2006 Jeep Wrangler before they go bad and I have to spend a ton of money at a mechanic. It has about 210k miles on it and all the components are original, but it's a stock vehicle, no lift and stock sized tires. I take it off roading a good bit.

I don't see any excessive play, or hear or feel the wheel bearings going bad. I'm just wondering if I'm on borrowed time at 210k miles and it's going to start giving me issues at the worst possible time. Most vehicles that go offroad have probably had those components replaced at least once by this mileage right?

Unless you bought the car new or it has meticulous repair and maintenance records how do you know what parts have been replaced in the last 20 years? IMHO Just inspect and carry on.

 

[JHZR2]

Use your free time to test and inspect all things you can. Replace what you must. Consider doing both sides at the same time.

 

[D60]

Also if this concerns you so, use the time to make sure all (three?) wb hub bolts move freely, and pull the wb and liberally anti-seize the knuckle bore.

With no complications like rust, you can tear these down in ten minutes: pull wheel, pull caliper, remove stub shaft nut, remove wb hub bolts -- THAT'S IT

If you know the routine and everything is able to move freely as it should, you're set up for success for future service. But I'd still resist the urge to replace working parts with new aftermarket.