1990 xj laredo 4x4, 4.0l ... 157k ... vacuum engage front drive .. axle shaft u joint got loose, noisy
so ... someone told me I could drive without axle shaft (passenger side), just in case the axle shaft I bought didnt fit, then I could drive & match the part after I pull it out (free swap). made sense unless I needed 4 wheel drive
just so happens, the axle shaft bought has different spline pattern. so put old hub back on, drove around yesterday (-axle shaft), things got noisy
this AM .. found the hub assy is very loose. I figured I messed up the old one using the hub puller on it
bought a new hub assy, installed it very carefully (-axle shaft) .. drove around block a few times to let brakes settle in, turns out new hub is loose now too, very wobbly
I guess the axle shaft needs to be in there? really doubt a brand new hub would go bad
thoughts? thanks