How do I replace the U-Joints on my 95 F150 2WD?? I've done many many things on mine and other people's vehicles but this is one that I haven't done. Any recommendations on replacement brands?

 

Please see www.mechanicmatt.com then go into the drive train section.
He gives a blow by blow of how to replace U-joints.
Thanks,
Gene

 

Thanks for the response... I'll give that site a look.

 

I'll take a look at that site too, but in the meantime...

I would suggest liberally spraying the parts of the U-joint and the four bolts on the rear-end with PB a day before playing with it.

I marked (with spray paint) the alignment of the driveshat to its end-yokes and the ends to the rear-end and to the tranny to make sure I put it back the same way.

Unbolt the four bolts holding the yoke to the rear-end. Pry apart with a small crow bar. Put oil catch bin under tranny end and pull driveshaft out of the tranny.

Take off c-clips off of all end caps. I basically pried up one end of these with a flathead screwdriver as best I could, then got a hold of that upped-end with pliers or vice-grips and pulled them up and out.

Take to a vise and play with the large-socket theory, get end cap to move only a few millimeters.

Have expert mechanic try to play with it, he gets frustrated.

Pull out acetylene torch, heat ends of shaft and yoke to make them larger to make it easier for U-joint caps to push through.

Give up on this idea after it doesn't work.

Take driveshaft outside, use cutting tip on acetylene torch to make two total perpendicular cuts through U-joint material, knock remnants out with a hammer, knock caps through their holes toward inside (instead of trying to kncock them outward).

Cool everything for a few minutes with a garden hose. Wow those got hot.

Take it all back inside and use rolled up sandpaper in each of the four holes for U-joint caps to clean them out and make installation easier.

Install caps - being careful to align U-joint properly between them - with bench vise. Do opposite side, install four clips.

At least that's the way I did my rear one a month ago.

 

I'd be careful as to using alot of heat since heat weakens metal. I used two sockets, one to fit inside the yoke and one the u-joint caps would fit into, put the big one open end up on the ground, set the drive shaft ontop of it, and with the little one inside the cap gave it a smack with a hammer. Oh yeah, take the clips out first.

Ryan