Changing front axle u joints?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,833
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Remove the spindle. It is a slip fit on the knuckle and probably just stuck. It it with a dead blow hammer or if you have a slide hammer you can use that. Just don't booger up the spindle and the threads. By the way, where did the spindle studs go?
If this is the driver's side the shaft just slides out of the diff. If this is the passenger side, you need to separate it from the stub shaft.
Edit: looked at picture again. This must be the left side so the axle will come out after the spindle is removed.
If this is the driver's side the shaft just slides out of the diff. If this is the passenger side, you need to separate it from the stub shaft.
Edit: looked at picture again. This must be the left side so the axle will come out after the spindle is removed.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Check my front end write-up, it cover everything up to the removal of the axle shafts: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post11243835
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
Thanks for all of the help. Encho, the write-up was very helpful, the pictures really helped. I removed the spindle studs to clean them up, lots of rust where I live.
Headed off to the parts store to see if I can rent a spindle puller and slide hammer. The spindle is frozen in place. So far, I've tried:
1. 6 LB sledge with a wood block
2. Jacking up truck, releasing it, allowing the spindle to drop on a piece of wood.
Nothing has worked so far, will try the slide hammer method, hopefully the parts store will have one.
Headed off to the parts store to see if I can rent a spindle puller and slide hammer. The spindle is frozen in place. So far, I've tried:
1. 6 LB sledge with a wood block
2. Jacking up truck, releasing it, allowing the spindle to drop on a piece of wood.
Nothing has worked so far, will try the slide hammer method, hopefully the parts store will have one.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
People say the slide hammer works well. I haven't tried it. The first time I needed to pull a spindle I hadn't heard of that, so I made a puller. I bored a hole in a piece of 3/8" steel plate that just fit over the spindle. Then I put a couple of steel stand-offs between the back side of the plate and the knuckle. I tightened up a spindle nut on it as tight as I could and then hit the plate over each stand-off with a big hammer. Then I could tighten the spindle nut a little farther and repeat the process. This worked very well, but it was a pain to make, so I'd definitely try the slide hammer method first. But just in case that doesn't work...
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 305
Likes: 2
Thanks for the tip NS.
Parts store has the slide hammer, but nobody has the spindle puller. So, I just ordered one online, should be here by next Friday. I really hope the slide hammer/spindle puller works.
Parts store has the slide hammer, but nobody has the spindle puller. So, I just ordered one online, should be here by next Friday. I really hope the slide hammer/spindle puller works.
New User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: NorthEast Ohio
I used a sharp cold chisel in between the spindle and knuckle on the right side of your picture to get it moving. You can dress up the nick on the grinding wheel. Some people say to smack the spindle around with a big hammer and a block of wood, but I don't like that method because that inner bearing can be hard enough to seat as it is.
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vasten
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 29, 2011 06:15 PM
