Bobcat698

While doing a brake/rotor job on my truck I noticed both U-Joints are a bit noisy/squeaky and need to be replaced.

Can anyone give me a simple easy to follow procedure to change these? Also, what is required as far as axle seals, etc?

Thanks

Ggg

I could not venture a guess, other then to say it will be different then what we are used to working on. Sorry I can't help.

berner

Check out the Tech Menu at Dave Fritz's website Fritz's There's some good info there.

NO1B4ME

Do a search, this topic has been beat to death, all the info Yah need is here.

NO1B4ME

vssman

Uhhh, the hardest part is getting the darn hub off of the truck. They tend to rust/freeze onto the knuckle and can be a real challange to remove without damaging the bearing. Don't let this stop you though. Also, I had to take the axle to a machine shop to have the u-joint pressed off. The vice method didn't work, and using the hammer to tap it loose only made me go deaf.

Here's the steps in a nut shell:
1) Remove wheel and hang caliper from the spring or frame via wire, remove any ABS wires, etc...
2) Remove large nut holding axle onto hub.
3) Loosen 4 12-point cap screws on back of knuckle holding hub to knuckle. Tap on each cap screw in a cross pattern to drive the hub off of the knuckle.
4) When the hub is finally loose, remove cap screw, support axle as not to damage the seal and remove hub.
5) Axle pulls out.

Check your ball joints while your at it. Your almost there if they need to be changed. You don't need seals as long as your careful removing and re-installing the axle. It will drip a bit after your done as the tube will have lube in it after the seal position - clean it out as best you can with a rag prior to putting it back together.

Bobcat698

I already had the hubs off.. It wasn't hard at all once I got the calipers off..

I don't know the exact procedure to change the u joints, but I did gently remove the axles with no fluid seepage.

vssman

Do yourself a favor and find an auto machine shop with a press and have them changed for you. I paid $20.00 for labor to change one side. Some auto parts stores also can press them for you. I tried to get mine apart both using the hammer method and vice/socket method to no avail (other than making alot of noise). Those axle joints are big.