Hey guys, got a quick one. I destroyed my front diff this past weekend and had to pull my axles to get home. I was told today that I am running a risk of having my wheels fall off due to there not being an outer yoke and axle nut putting pressure of the wheel bearing. The guy wasn't 100% sure if this was the case on mine, but I hadn't heard anything about it and it made me start worrying. I have looked up as much as I could on here and couldn't find anything that said for sure if I was good or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have to drive it tomorrow to get the new gears put in... SWEET. But, I don't want to destroy it on the way out. Thanks!
Josh

 

The splined yoke, and the nut on the end, do provide the preload for the bearings. That is what holds it all together. The bearings are a press fit in the hub. Without the yoke and nut, you are depending on the press fit to hold things together.

A spare yoke or two to use for what you describe would be a good thing to have.

 

Not good! Thanks ronjenx! Good thing it's all going back together tomorrow. I was pretty worried about it when I hear that. Still worried. Hope I haven't screwed those bearing up. Eh, what's new wheel bearing? Easy enough... thanks again.

 

You're OK.
Here's how it's put together, or taken apart.

The axle nut holds the axle in the unit bearing/hub

These 3 bolts hold the unit bearing to the knuckle

This is the unit bearing still attached to a slide hammer

And here the axle just slides right out

 

I don't see how the pictures relate to his question.

 

Thanks for the pics zoeydad! I was just trying to remember how the unit front bearings went together. I think mine might need replacement. Anyone know the PN.

 

It's the 3 bolts that hold the unit bearing in place, not the axle nut, nor axle

 

Yes, the three bolts hold the unit bearing in place. But, it's the yoke and nut that hold the flange and bearings inside the hub. Without the yoke and nut, the flange with the studs on it can work its way out of the two bearings. It's only a friction fit. It depends on the yoke and nut to stay together as an assembly.

 

Well, I just learned something. Thank you.

 

Here they are from Quadratec: http://www.quadratec.com/products/52417_06.htm

If you need new ones, I would like to have your old one to see if my XJ hub rebuild tools will fit the JK hub. They look very similar.
I would also do a write-up on it similar to the "OEM Ball Joint Study" thread.
You can even have it back when I am done with it.