Please pardon the newbie-ish question...but what is the proper term for the u-joints in the front axle, right by the hub that allow the front wheels to turn on my truck?

Reason I'm asking, my driver's side u-joint has gone to the happy hunting ground and so I've got the new one and tomarrow I gotta put the new one in, so I'm trying to do a search on how much of a headache this is gonna be but since I'm not sure what they're called I keep reading about front driveshaft u-joints instead...

Is this a fix that is relatively easy? Or is this one of those times when you need as much torque on a hub nut as the stock 12v makes?

Thanks everybody!

Ed

 

The u joint will be the easy part of the job. Getting the hub popped out of the knuckle is the tricky part. There is actually a special tool, but you can use a socket and a extension to do the job. Loosen the 4 twelve point bolts and put the tool on the bolt while turning the steering wheel to use the power steering to pop the hub out of the knuckle. BTW, this will take two people. It is much easier than trying to knock it out with a hammer. I cant remember what size the axle nut is, but i take them off with a 1/2 impact. As far as your 5 speed swap, i have done some and so has alot of other people on here. You will be able to find out all the info you need for that job too. Any questions, feel free to ask. Tim

 

Thanks for the info I'm gonna attack it either tonight or tomarrow. I'll holler back as to how it went or if I destroy anything.

Ed

 

Most people refer to them as wheel joints.