When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Haha... I hear ya. I started the first cup/crossbar into the yoke, then pounded on the opposite side of the yoke at a spot just shy of the cup, with the cup on a 2x6 on the shop floor. Then flipped it over and started the 2nd cup with a tap, and then put that side against the 2x6 on the floor, and pounded the **** out of the opposite side yoke "shoulder", not the cup or metal surrounding the cup.
This video is pretty much what I did, only I did not have that sturdy table so used the shop floor/2x6.
Well, I couldn't stand the thought of not doing the other u-joint, so I went for it. True to form for my truck, drivers side was like pulling teeth with tweezers, and passenger side went like a you-tube video. I even looked over my shoulder to see if someone snuck in and was filming it!
U-joints are done!
Chunks or rust and crud coming out of the tube the axle goes in. Used giant q-tip of pipe and paper towels to clean it out. A little oily, but mostly just rust chunks. Anything to be concerned about?
When trying to drive the hub/axle seal on I found that they would not start to seat. The seal had a coating of some blue epoxy painted on the inner surface. I had to use my dremel tool to grind it off to get them to start onto the axle. Then I find these metal strings peeling off on the inside as it was driving on using the special tool Jason loaned me. On closer inspection of the parts I found that everything in the kit I ordered off amazon was in a spicer box or bag except the hub/axle seals, which were in a nameless bag labeled "made in Italy". The moral of the story: Listen to Jason! He recommended a supplier for the parts but I used amazon instead. I deserved the trouble I had.
Got the axles in the knuckles with both seals looking good. Going to do hubs and the rest tomorrow if I can move. Feel like I got ran over by the truck again. But it's all downhill from here.
I used some seals from National, and they had the blue coating on the inside as well, but some firm whacks on the installer tool pushed it in place. I did not try to start them first, but used the tool exclusively. Those strands are curious though. Looks like you got them installed just fine.
I used the tool and the flat side of my splitting maul (6lb I believe) for 20 minutes and it would not start to seat, just fell off when I moved the tool. Until I got on it with the dremel sander it would not go on at all. Then it peeled metal off the inside of the seal while driving it on with the tool and maul. I was careful to remove the slivers frequently so they did not do damage to anything while I whacked it.
I think the seals were not to exact specs, and wonder at the quality of these no-name products in what I thought was an all spicer kit. Everything else had spicer packaging, these just said "made in Italy", no manufacturer info at all. I hope they don't crap out in a week or two.
Done!
Short test drive went well. No screaming hubs. But brakes pull hard to the right now. Project for another day. I'll put it on the list. The long, long list.
Thanks everyone for all the help.
Jason, I will get your tool in the mail. PM me your address, or text. Couldn't have done it without you, buddy.
Left side caliper is supposedly new. Had it lock up and smoked the brakes right after I got it. Happened a block from the local diesel shop so I dropped in. They said they couldn't get it unstuck and it had to be replaced. $400 or $600 (can't recall) and a short wait for new part and I was rolling. But honestly it looks the same as the other side. I have wondered before if I got screwed.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
Project for another day. I'll put it on the list. The long, long list.
