When to replace u joints?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 142
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From: So Cal Highland
When to replace u joints?
Almost ready to replace my ball joints and hubs, and I was wondering if I should just replace my u joints as well while every thing is easy to get to. Truck is a 2001 and has 190,000 miles on it. The only time I engage the front hubs is in winter when I drive in the snow. I do ski patrol, so I end up in nastier conditions more often than I wold like. With hubs unlocked, I can turn the front u joints by hand with no apparent binding. Other than looking a little old, there is no obvious damage visible on the u joints. Even though they only see limited use and probably have very few actual miles on them, should they be replaced just because they are 10 years old?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 915
Likes: 1
From: oriental NC.
i wouldnt change them only cause ten years old if they are tight and not leaking grease ide leave em. i got 267k on mine and there are still tight depends how much wheeling was done and under water or not. 
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
And when you do the ball joints.....note of caution....whether you do them, or have someone else do them, make sure you leave the regular zerk fitting on the top ball joint. If you put a 90deg. zerk fitting on there, the u-joint will hit it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 142
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From: So Cal Highland
Hi Nathan! I thought that was what the 90 zerk was for in the first place. With just a little grinding, I thought it would clear the u-joint. Is this not the case?
By the way, I signed up over at SOCAP's, what are you called over there?
By the way, I signed up over at SOCAP's, what are you called over there?
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I'd change them only because I myself have done all the front end work deal before, inspected the front U-joints to be good and left them. About 2-3 months later I had it all apart again to replace a U-joint...
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 864
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From: Fort Campbell, KY
I'd go back with OE Spicer U-joints, take a look.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...luid-pics.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...luid-pics.html
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 567
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From: Northern CO
I go by fords4life over there. I didn't really think about grinding on the zerk. That might work as they don't hit by much. I just picked up a grease gun fitting from Napa that elimates the grinding. It slips over the head of the straight zerk and fits in there perfectly. I'll try and get a picture this week.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
I go by fords4life over there. I didn't really think about grinding on the zerk. That might work as they don't hit by much. I just picked up a grease gun fitting from Napa that elimates the grinding. It slips over the head of the straight zerk and fits in there perfectly. I'll try and get a picture this week.
