Time to do both U joints on my 94. Can someone give me a quick walkthrough about how to do it or point me in the direction of a thread I missed explaining it.

Thanks

 

rent a u joint press or buy one from harbor freight ...... i got one 4 30.00 used it on ball joints and it works real well 4 u joints........step one remove driveshaft.....step 2 remove clips in driveshaft .......step three use hammer and socket or ball joint press and press out one cap then use hammer to remove other cap and its out!!!!!!!!just did mine this weekend and only took about5 min per joint its real easy if u have the correct tools........hope this helps ya

 

Go to Auto Zone and see if they rent out a presser...If not, its a nice investment if you plan on doing more work like this

I just used 2 sockets, thats if your press will go out that far.. One socket thats slightly bigger then then caps and one thats smaller then the cap. To get the old u-joints out of the yoke or driveshaft, take the snap rings out then have the big socket at one side and the smaller one pressing out the opposite side. This will press the u joint far enough to get the cap out(on the big socket side) If the u joint doesnt come out, then press out the other cap the same way. You dont need two sockets, just something bigger then the cap, and wider(1/2" ish) If you cant for some reason get the 2nd cap off, then you might have to cut it out. When i was doing my buddies dodge dakota, the last u joint had to be sawzalled out because it only had a good 150,000 on it...but then again its a dodge dakota...

Your just pressing the u joint to get the caps off and on...

Make sure when putting the new u joints in that the cap is carefully taken off and put back on. If you slip just one needle bearing you need to replace it. Once you get the new u joint in, make sure it moves by hand. If its stock and wont move, then you might have smashed a needle bearing.

Just take your time and pay attention, its a fairly easy process.

 

yeah just pound out the caps hit on one cap forcing it down put that cap in a vise and pull up and twist it ussually comes out and do the same for the other then pop out the u joint like josh 88 said be careful putting it back in

 

I spray my old joint with penetrating fluid and let soak in for a bit. Some of them old joints can be pretty dry. Just makes things a little easier. p.s. Who am I trying to kid? I never wait long enough to soak in. Helps if ya do wait though.

 

A whole lot of cussing and sweating. It is alot cheaper but a pain. Owning an older Ford you will get very good at it. My 91 eats U-joints, I cheated twice and paid for it to be done but it just was because I had too much money in my pocket.
If you don't already have a Haynes manual get one. They aren't perfect but help alot. Not to mention you can look at all of it and map out your plan before you start getting dirty.
One suggestion:
Get the U-joints with grease fittings and give them a squirtevery couple of months.

 

Skip the cheap chinese junk from the parts stores, too. Go to jeffsbroncograveyard.com and order from there (tell them FTE sent you - it helps us out). You'll get top quality parts for about the same price as the parts stores, it just takes a little longer.

The ball joint/u-joint press is indispensible. If you can, buy one. If not, rent one. This job is so easy with the right tools.

 

How does the driveshaft come out. I just picked up the new u joints and will take a look at it this weekend.

Thanks for the tips about the ball joint press.

 

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800a4901.jsp

 

Sometimes the driveshaft unbolts from the yoke, and sometimes there are u-bolts retaining 2 of the u-joint endcaps. It really depends on the truck. It will be obvious when you get under there and look at it.