Anyone here know if replacing the front u-joints and hub bears is a do-it-yourselfer job? They need to be replaced but I've never done front hubs before. Anyone have any advice?



Robert

1978 F-150 4x4 Stepside 351M

Please don't pull out in front of me! The last thing I want to do is play identify the pieces with you or your car.

 

it's not to hard to do

take the brake caliper off

take the the locking hub off it will have 5 or 6 little bolts the cab should come right off.

Then there will be a c ring in a grove on the inside of the hub you will need a small flat head screw driver to get it out. then on the axle shaft there maybe or maybe not a snap ring holding the locking hub on, once them are off put two of the bolts that go on the cap back in and pull the locking hub out

From there, there is a lock nut that needs a 4wd hub tool (can be purchased at any parts place) take it off, there will be a washer behing it with hole in it pull it out then there is one more lock nut. The second lock nut will have a little nipple on it. The little nipple faces towards the outside of the truck and the washer slides over it when reinstalling (make sure the washer goes back on evenly if not you will break that nipple and your tire and hub will fall off you don't want that to happen) The hub should then come off you now have the two bearing to work with.

next your should see 5 bolts left on the housing they hold the spindle on take them off and the spindle should come right off you might want to replace the spindle bearing also.

pull you axle shaft out and you can replace your u joint

I would replace the seals also when pulling it apart so you don't have to do it later.


Scott
LowCountry Swampers
1974 f100 4x4

 

You may want to rent a spinle puller from a parts store. They are a son of a gun to get off, at least the ones I have pulled that have been on there 20+ years. I cussed them for a few hours one night then rented that puller from autozone (free rental) and two wacks with the slide hammer and they pop right off. Get ready to get all greasy taking apart the hubs and all. Make sure you pay attention to how everything comes apart and witch direction they face. Helps to keep them in order for reassembly.

 

not really a bad job, just follow the previous guys' advice and you will do fine. I did not need the puller to get mine apart and I replaced the u-joints and front rotors in a weekend (one side each day). Most important is to line up the parts as they come out in the exact order as to which they will go back in. Have patience and everything should go smoothly. Actually, this was one of the easier jobs I ever did on my truck.

77 F150 4x4
351M, granny 4
33x12.5