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Felt a little vibration on my way to work. The u joints appear to be original so 99k+ miles plus almost 40 years, I can't blame them for wanting to give it up. Ran into AZ for new ones only to find they showed 4 different u joints in the MOOG super strength. The rear u joint being the largest, greasable. Then the two fronts being smaller and non greasable. This is on a 78 F150 4x4.
Advanced Auto down the road had two different u joints and they looked about right. My hesitation is if I pull them to change out and they are wrong, I'm stuck at home or I have to put the old parts back in and drive up to swap out parts. Can anyone help me out with a for sure part number on the MOOG super strength u joints? My u joint next to my transfer case has already lost a c clip so I'm trying to make dang sure I've got the right parts!
When buying U-joints, I will either take old ones with me ..... or crawl under there and make notes as to width across caps both ways, diameter of caps both ways, and whether internal or external locks.
Fords varied a bit according to the catalogs at the store ..... there are some that have all four caps same diameter, then there are the ones for use where u-bolts retain them called "big cap" joints which simply have thicker walls of the bearing caps. Can't expect a parts guy to know it all by heart.
Drive to the 1st store, pull the suspect d/s in the store parking lot. Get and us a chalk block and park break if it is a rear d/s or park facing a little down hill and against a curb.
And then knock the u joint out of the d/s. Socket and hammer trick. Walk in and say you need this exactly and then install them on the tailgate.
IF THEY do not have them put the d/s in the bed of the truck lock it in 4 H and drive to the next store.
Google "d/s phasing" before you all carried away. or just sharpie or chalk markthe complete d/s end to end.
I wasn't aware of a centering bearing in the front part? I know I'd be better off replacing it while I've got it apart but since this is my dd and I can't wait for parts I'm going to cross my fingers and hope it's still good.
I wasn't aware of a centering bearing in the front part? I know I'd be better off replacing it while I've got it apart but since this is my dd and I can't wait for parts I'm going to cross my fingers and hope it's still good.