Front axle ujoint
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: MA
Front axle ujoint
03 f350 4x4
The dust seal on the passenger side is loose ( not my concern ) but reaching behind the wheel I noticed I can move the u joint up and down quite a bit with my hand. Makes a clink over bumps also. It's spins freely , no binding or seizing while spinning with hand with hubs unlocked. With hub lock no more clunk over bumps. Guess what I'm asking is thatvup and down play alright for now. Just the seal? Needle or spindle bearing? Any thoughts?
The dust seal on the passenger side is loose ( not my concern ) but reaching behind the wheel I noticed I can move the u joint up and down quite a bit with my hand. Makes a clink over bumps also. It's spins freely , no binding or seizing while spinning with hand with hubs unlocked. With hub lock no more clunk over bumps. Guess what I'm asking is thatvup and down play alright for now. Just the seal? Needle or spindle bearing? Any thoughts?
New User
Joined: Jul 2011
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sounds like the u joint is bad, I beleive if anything else was bad it would move in other areas. locking hubs usually use a sliding collar that locks the front half-shafts to the hub. so if it goes away then im guessing its just the u joint thats spent.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: MA
If just the needle bearing was gone would that create the up and down play in the u joint / axle shaft end? I plan on doing break work all around so when I do I'll pull the bearing assembally and replace the needle bearing. If I have to pull the axle shaft/ u joint I'll be replacing the seals as well. There's is no 4x4 in use till winter. Should I rush into this repair?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: MA
I hear ya. I'd hate to pull the wheel bearing and replace the needle bearing , reassemble only to find there is still the play in the u joint. But if I end up having to do the outer axle shaft I'll be doing the u joint anyways I guess. Gunna have to get my hands dirty I guess
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
The ujoint does have quite a bit of play in there normally..More than you would think but it works fine. You can save the big seal if you can pry out the shaft from behind with big pry bars.
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