Working on getting u joints replaced on my 02 F250 w/ 7.3 diesel. Studied several youtubes & Chiltons/Haynes. After removing the hub/bearing assembly the axle is supposed to pop out with some light tapping with a dead blow or prying on the back side of the ujoint.

I can't get the axle to budge outward on my truck. It's loose in the axle housing when I grab the end of the axle shaft, but it won't come out. I've used a heavy dead blow on the back side of the ujoint, also pried with a bar against the back side of the ujoint (as is shown in a few youtube how-tos).

What could I be missing? Rain moving in tomorrow, and this is my only means of getting around. Help appreciated.

Here's a short video of what I'm looking at right now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C6Q...ature=youtu.be

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_C6QxBNssfE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I've not done this job myself, but I've heard of lots of folks having trouble with this step. I don't think you're missing anything, it requires a lot of force.

 

Finally got it out. I pulled that inner dust seal out of the way and slipped my pry bar in there. That did it.

Now to get those U-joints replaced. Have the OTC 6695 seal driver for the new seals, hope it goes back together easier than it did coming apart.

 

Have axle out and on the bench. Pressed one of the cups out per how-tos, but can't figure how to pull the cup off the journal.

Pulled out the new spicer to see if that would give any clues. The cups are just as 'secure' on the journal with the new part.

How do the cups come off the bearing journal?

 

I've not done one of these, but on most driveshaft U-joints you can remove the cup that's been pressed through the yoke. I grabbed mine with vice grips and twisted it off, at which point I had the clearance to pivot the other side out.

 

The cup that I pressed through is free spinning but won't come off the journal. Grabbed with a pair of large channel locks, no dice.

The bearing cups are just as tight on the journals on the brand new Spicer greasable u joint (pic above).

I can't see any more clips or other obstructions. Are they pressed on to the journal?

 

I wish I knew. The driveshaft joints I've done had caps that pull right off.

 

Got new cups off, they were very tight fit but came off by hand, just had to grab on to them more (didn't use any tools).

Used a screwdriver and hammer to pop the loose cup off on the yoke. Used the clip groove to bit into.

Forward march!

 

The Spicer "Life" u-joints have very tight seals. They also don't seem like they have very much grease in them, but Spicer cautions NOT to add any.

 

Spicer is the best joint on the market. They also recommend their grease. I bought a grease gun thats dedicated to Spicer grease.

 

I just did my ball joints, finished up today. One of my axles was like that to get out, other was easy.

The short shaft went back easily, but the long one wasnt fun getting lined up for install.

If you havent gotten the axle seal back on, spend 15 bucks on some pipe to build the install tool, made putting the new seals a lot easier to install.