OK last night I got new Warn manual hubs and replaced them, the passenger side was real bad. I do not think anyone ever did maintenance on them. I replaced them but noticed that the passenger side axle shaft u-joint has a lot of play in it. I can move the axle shaft up down and forward and back quite a bit. The u-joint looks to have caps over the ends and I did not try to pry one off. Is it possible to just replace the u-joint or do I need to replace the shaft? The rest is in good condition, it's just the u-joint that is toast.

 

You have to remove the side axle to change the U-joints. It's not a hard job but does require a special socket to remove the hub bearing retainer nuts. Basically you have to remove the hub lock mechanism, remove the bearing retainer nuts and remove the hub/rotor assembly, remove the inner hub/bearing race, and then pull the side axle assembly out. First time doing this plan on a couple hours per side, the inner hub plate will require some prying to free it from the spindle.

 

I have access to the proper tool for it, and removal should not be that bad, I just wanted to make sure I could replace the joint and not have to get the entire shaft, get it, get the shaft. LOL Thanks Conanski.

 

You may want to replace with u-joints with greasable end caps. They have them at Napa auto parts. Also, on the pass side you're going to have to seperate the slip joint.

 

I went over the procedure in the Haynes manual about 10 times last night in my head while looking at the axle. It doesn't seem to be too difficult. Thanks for all of the input!