96 sportsman 500

I found a bad u joint on one of my rear axle shafts today. I have the suspension mostly apart anyway, so I thought I might as well pull the whole shaft to replace the joint. Then I got thinking... will the CV shafts from the newer ones be a direct replacement? I'm not sure if it's really worth it since I've gotten really good at replacing u joints in my jeep anyway. If I even can change over, is the CV a more efficient joint?

Also, does anyone know a part number for the u joint if I can just run down to the local napa and grab one?

The one that's bad is the upper (or inner).

 

oh, and is the fluid going to come out the axle shaft hole when I pull that axle shaft out? I still can't get it out of there. Is there a best way to get it out?

 

ok, I'm really confused now. I got the shaft out, (there was a retaining bolt), and took the U joint first to napa (no, we don't have anything), and then the dealer (that doesn't look like our diagram).

It looks like the dealer snows a CV on one side, and a u joint on the other. They had that u joint in stock, but it was a totally smaller size.

Mine has a u joint on both sides, and they couldn't even find a way to get me the part for it.

 

t33, here are the 2 part # 1590257 is out towards the wheel end, 1590256 is the end towards gearcase