Hi,

My truck has developed a whirring from the rear end when I accelerate. It also clunks if I let on the gas and then re-accelerate. Pretty sure the universal joints are starting to go.

Does anybody have some advice on replacing these things? Last time I did this, I had a shop press the new joints on for me. Can I do this myself somehow?

Greg
1989 Ford F-250 Super Cab 460 EFI 2WD

 

You can use sockets of the appropriate size and a BFH but I prefer to use a ball joint press.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42236

 

A large C-clamp and sockets always worked for me. One socket that will go thru the yoke when pushing, and a larger one that the cup will go into on the way out the other side.

-------------------------------------


http://easyad.net/images/94vanavitar.jpg http://www.easyad.net/images/mustang1.gif

'94 E-150 Conversion Van 4.9 / C-6 -- '89 Mustang LX 5.0

 

Check the pinion nut on the rear end also. I had this happen to my 88 F150 and I also noticed this on my 89 F250 the other day...just grab the pinion shaft and see if it moves around...that sounds more like the problem than the u-joints...if it is that, you gotta drop the driveshaft anyhow, so it probably wouldn't hurt to replace them anyhow..

Good luck!
Phil

 

i use a vise and sockets of the appropriate size. but a c-clamp would defenately aid in keeping them together. make sure when you go to drive the bearings in, you pound(if you are using a hammer)on them straight, as even the slightest angle might mess the needle bearings up inside the cup.