Axle U-Joint question
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New User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 22
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From: Yupper, MI.
Axle U-Joint question
Hello Folks,
Truck: '89 F250 Supercab, 460,c6,4x4,manual hubs,167k.
Question: I am going to repack hubs soon and replace the rotors at the same time. Whats the skinny on replacing the front axle U-Joints do I do it just because I am so close or do I wait till it's needed, and how do I tell if it's needed? No play or loosness is evident when shaking and tugging the axle while it's installed. Only reason I ask is EVERY other U-Joint in the truck has been replace at least once and the carrier bearing too
Front end is seldom used anymore and hasn't been for last 10 years. Before that is was just used on snowy highways, total off highway time on truck is probably less that 500 miles and 90% of that was on passenger car type dirt roads
Thanks
Truck: '89 F250 Supercab, 460,c6,4x4,manual hubs,167k.
Question: I am going to repack hubs soon and replace the rotors at the same time. Whats the skinny on replacing the front axle U-Joints do I do it just because I am so close or do I wait till it's needed, and how do I tell if it's needed? No play or loosness is evident when shaking and tugging the axle while it's installed. Only reason I ask is EVERY other U-Joint in the truck has been replace at least once and the carrier bearing too
Front end is seldom used anymore and hasn't been for last 10 years. Before that is was just used on snowy highways, total off highway time on truck is probably less that 500 miles and 90% of that was on passenger car type dirt roads
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Well, you can't tell with them in the truck. Realistically they need to be pulled out and felt by hand...but even that isn't a good indication. A couple months ago I swapped the trans in my F-250 and felt the u-joints in the rear driveshaft, they were tight. I greased them and threw them back in...one almost blew up on me the other day, just replaced both of them.
IMO, I'd replace them. The only extra thing you'd have to do to get the axle shafts out is take the spindle off. You take those little nuts off, and there are two ways I've seen to pull it out.
Use a slide hammer with a socket attachment that will screw onto the threads at the end of the spindle (best way).
Use metal chisels and hammer away around the edges of the spindle. It'll take a little while to see progress, but it'll work, I've done it like 10 times.
Once the spindle is out you can slide the shaft out and replace the u-joints in them. There are three, and the passanger side axle shaft is a 2 piece unit that comes apart in the middle of it.
IMO, I'd replace them. The only extra thing you'd have to do to get the axle shafts out is take the spindle off. You take those little nuts off, and there are two ways I've seen to pull it out.
Use a slide hammer with a socket attachment that will screw onto the threads at the end of the spindle (best way).
Use metal chisels and hammer away around the edges of the spindle. It'll take a little while to see progress, but it'll work, I've done it like 10 times.
Once the spindle is out you can slide the shaft out and replace the u-joints in them. There are three, and the passanger side axle shaft is a 2 piece unit that comes apart in the middle of it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
You can turn the wheels all the way in either direction, reach in and turn the u joint by hand. If it doesnt turn free then I'd change them. If you had a bad one, the steering would not want to return after making a turn.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 385
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I had to drop my diff to remove the axle C-clip to remove the passenger side axle on my Bronco II. It dosn't sound like you use them much, so engage the transfer case, lock the hubs and try them out on a grassy area. If you hear binding when turned full lock (like mark.a said) in either direction, they are shot, however not worthless. My front u-joints were really really bad, but they still put power to the front wheels when needed at slow speed. I changed them this year. If you are in the rust belt, be prepared for seriously rusted up spindles, and U-joints. I needed a 4# sledge and multiple chissles as described by Mustang, to remove my spindles, very frustrating.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Just remember, if a u-joint blows up, most of the time it takes the axle shaft with it (breaks the ears off)...so if you break a u-joint, there is a good chance you'll break the axle shaft(s) too. I broke the u-joint right next to my left front tire, snapped the ears off the stub shaft and bent the ears on the inner shaft.
IMO, you can't tell a front u-joints condition with it in the truck, all these tests that were posted, can give you an idea...but you really don't know unless you pull it out and feel it by hand. You want to move it in all directions looking for binding, roughness, or even looseness. If they've been in there for awhile, chances are they should be replaced. They're not an expensive part, just time consuming to replace.
My buddy had an 89 wrangler that lost a front u-joint while driving on the highway, I think it was on the front driveshaft though...it ended up breaking the knuckle on his front axle, the front axle shaft on that side, cut fuel lines, broke the bellhousing on the transmission, yada yada yada....lots of damage.
IMO, you can't tell a front u-joints condition with it in the truck, all these tests that were posted, can give you an idea...but you really don't know unless you pull it out and feel it by hand. You want to move it in all directions looking for binding, roughness, or even looseness. If they've been in there for awhile, chances are they should be replaced. They're not an expensive part, just time consuming to replace.
My buddy had an 89 wrangler that lost a front u-joint while driving on the highway, I think it was on the front driveshaft though...it ended up breaking the knuckle on his front axle, the front axle shaft on that side, cut fuel lines, broke the bellhousing on the transmission, yada yada yada....lots of damage.
