Front u-joints rarely get used and when they do they are only pulling a third of the weight each but they do get dried out from non-use and water getting in them. They actually are usually in good shape still and will get bad eventually if they aren't lubed so here is what I did three years ago and doing it again to make this thread and rejuvenate them again. They were crunching and crackling 3 years ago but fine now;


Rip some 1 1/2" strips the long way out of an old towel

Dip them in some 90% ATF and 10% penetrating oil solution


Thread one end through the joint and tie a loop 10" from the end


thread the long end through both sides of the joint until there is about 10" left on both ends and tie them together and cut the excess off.


Now lock your hubs and take the truck to a parking lot and do some left and right circles. If anyone says anything just say "I'm oiling my joints". Leave them in for a day or two and then pour the rest of the solution on them and drive for another day or so and then cut them off.

 

Very interesting idea for sure.

 

It works though, my joints were crackling, crunching, popping, and headed for destruction 3 years ago and today they are quiet and work very well.

 

So much for a "life series" u joint. It is cool that this works tho. I'm not all that surprised either, them seals can't be in the best shape after this many years/miles.

 

I like the idea. Why use the penetrating oil? Is that PB Blaster you used?

 

Either one I guess. I just had some extra PB. I just figured it would help get it it there and the ATF would have a little thickness to it.

 

Sammie/Christina had a good picture of a dry U-joint but I couldn't find it so if anyone knows where it it please post a link to it.

 

worth-a bump

 

Here you go Brent.

 

Thanks, just what I needed.

 

Deja vu Brent. Wonder if frozen joints are funny the 2nd time .

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-u-joints.html

 

Probably some are laughing again and one guy got mad at me when it didn't work for him but his were beyond the point of no return. It's kinda hard to help people when they knock something before they try it though........but it saved my joints.

Deja Vu but there were no pics last time.

 

I suppose this will work if the seals are bad... since the intent of the seal is to keep "stuff" out.

Ever try a greasing needle?

 

The seals are old but not bad. The seals keep grease in and dirt out both. A needle won't work here, you wouldn't be able to position it to start with. And yes it does work or I wouldn't have posted it. This works due to capillary action starting at the old dry and shrunken seals. You can see the capillary action working already in the picture with the bottom of the tire showing.

 

It's a little more complex but when I have to change them out and can't find
joints with zerts, I drill and tap the cap for an inverted nipple. No such thing as a forever u-joint or brg. They will all need grease/oil/lube at some point.
That's a good idea ya have there though. It just seems like a lot of work to me
compared to drilling and tapping the cap for a zert.