Replacing axle u joints
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3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
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Replacing axle u joints
Is there anything I should know about replacing my axle u joints with a greasable u joint? Is it necessary to have the option to grease it and will it be hard to reach?
Thank you
Thank you
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
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It's not necessarily needed, the few times I replaced a u-joint with a greaseable one it was difficult at best to grease it, so I often didn't. It may just be my experience, but I've actually noticed non-greaseable ones seem to last longer. YMMV on that. To grease them you've got to have a rather slim nozzle on your grease gun, you've got to turn the wheel one way or the other, and the axle shaft has to be in the appropriate orientation to open up the joint as far as possible.
I have usually had to take the axle shafts to a local shop and have them press out/in the new joints. I just don't have a press big enough at home to do it myself.
Depending on what truck you have (you don't state year) you've got to have the right tool to re-seat the hub seal on the axle shaft, and to re-seat the axle into the axle itself.
I have usually had to take the axle shafts to a local shop and have them press out/in the new joints. I just don't have a press big enough at home to do it myself.
Depending on what truck you have (you don't state year) you've got to have the right tool to re-seat the hub seal on the axle shaft, and to re-seat the axle into the axle itself.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 589
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
Don't use anything other than Spicer joints. SPL55-3X is the part number for the non-greasables. The retaining clips can be a pain. If there's corrosion, going over them with a needle scaler seems to help a lot. Installing the seal can be done without any special tool, but it takes a certain amount of patience and a light touch with a hammer to get it started.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 929
Be careful where you get Spicer joints from. Amazon and eBay are full of counterfeit's, especially "Spicer" and "Motorcraft" branded parts on Amazon/ eBay, more fakes than real ones.
For genuine Spicer parts, I like Ventures truck parts (link below). As for install, a press sure is handy (I have a cheap Harbor Freight one) , but not a requirement. I replaced U-joints for decades with a heavy C-clamp and hammers.
https://venturestruckparts.com/
...
For genuine Spicer parts, I like Ventures truck parts (link below). As for install, a press sure is handy (I have a cheap Harbor Freight one) , but not a requirement. I replaced U-joints for decades with a heavy C-clamp and hammers.
https://venturestruckparts.com/
...
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