Front Axle U-joints
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 82
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Front Axle U-joints
Well I pulled it off, I think. Replaced the outer U-joint on my front axle. My question is after pounding for almost 40 minutes to get the hub off, I have basically destroyed the tin shield. What does it shield and is really necessary? I know it's probably cheap, but the local parts guys don't have one, I really don't want to go to a wrecker and pound on another one only to wreck it too, and the Ford dealers parts department aren't open Sundays. I want to put it back together tomorrow Sunday).
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
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Joined: Jul 2003
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They were missing from my spindles when I got my 95 Bronco, but I had them on my BII. I mangled them like you did taking the spindle off and in both cases they were eliminated. I think they are there to prevent the spindle from rusting permenantly to the truck. I cant really see any other possible function to them.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
They are actually dust shields to keep all the crap from collecting on the rotors. In reality they manage to keep mud and debris right next to the rotor while off roading. I cut off everything except the inner piece (like a washer or shim), to keep the spacing right between the spindle and axle, on my 88 and had no problems with the bearings/u-joints or anything else on the drive train for over 20,000 km before the back of the tranny fell off.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by dwoodler
They are actually dust shields to keep all the crap from collecting on the rotors. In reality they manage to keep mud and debris right next to the rotor while off roading. I cut off everything except the inner piece (like a washer or shim), to keep the spacing right between the spindle and axle, on my 88 and had no problems with the bearings/u-joints or anything else on the drive train for over 20,000 km before the back of the tranny fell off.
Thanks for the replies
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 250
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From: Grants Pass, OR
Originally Posted by Metallheadd
A slide hammer works really good.
As far as the dust shield. I removed mine just because I hated when rocks would get stuck between it and the rotor when going offroad(especially after playing in a little mud
_. Mine have been off for a few years now.
