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I am going to change my drive shaft universal joints in my F250. Has anyone done that themselves? If so, how difficult is it? It didn't seem too bad when I read the manual but I wanted to ask before I tore my truck apart.
It's not that difficult. The only thing to watch for is that the "needles" don't fall out when installing the caps. Sometimes one of them will come loose and get under the cap and keep it from going all the way down. If you follow the precedures in your manual, you should be alright.
And don't settle for any U-joint that doesn't have a grease fitting! You'll be able to lube the joints periodically and never have to do this job again.
And don't settle for any U-joint that doesn't have a grease fitting! You'll be able to lube the joints periodically and never have to do this job again.
I 2nd Kwikkordead, go with the greaseable ones. Watch how you put them in, you need to make sure you do not install the U-joints w/grease fittings backwards (prevents you from being able to grease them).
shughe40 I got mine from napa auto. they had grease fittings in the ends of the u-joints, they require a needle point grease fitting on a small hand grease gun.they also sell that item to. they also sell a u-joint tool that will remove and install the new ones.they are good u-joints just cant remember what brand they were. its not a real hard job to do. when I did mine I replaced them all and also did the center bearing, in fact I replaced all the u-joints on my truck with the same u-joints.you shouldnt have any problems with the job just get the tools and they make it alot easier. good luck 01psd
If there is an Autozone near you, get the ball joint press from thier Loan-a-tool stock. It works awesome for changing U-joints. You use just the part of it that looks like an overgrown c-clamp, disregard all that other stuff in the kit. There is a hole in the side of the clamp opposite the screw that will let the caps fall right out. I have found this makes changing u-joints very simple. The nice thing about it is that for people that don't do it very often, there is no cost to use the tool.
Does anyone know where I can buy greaseable u-joints? What brand is the best?
Spicer is what I use, available at NAPA. And yes you need a press. That C-clamp affair that miker describes is what I have. Be VERY careful not to force the old ones out or you'll bend the yoke. You won't even see it bend, but it will be enough to throw the shaft out of balance and then you'll get a vibration. The only cure after that is take it out and send it to a driveline shop to get it rebalanced. Use lot's of Free-all, PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, whatever it takes, and however much time it takes to get them out without a lot of pressure. Even a little "thermal persuasion" with a torch to get the collars to expand and release the bearing caps.
Just don't ram it out or you'll be pulling the shaft for rebalance.
And index everything before you pull it so you can get it back in exactly the same position.
I try align the grease fittings along the same side of the shaft. This way, when I'm greasing them, I can get to all the fittings at the same time without having to keep rotating the shaft.