How hard is it to replace a u joint?? 98 2wd xlt.

 

Not too bad a job. Just take your time and don't damage the yokes.

Tools: large hammer, old 1/2 inch drive extension or other rod for hammering on, screwdriver/ needle nose pliers to remove the keepers, channel lock or vise grips, large vise if you have one makes things easier to handle, couple scrap 2x4 pieces.
1. remove the driveshaft, lay it on the 2x4's
2. remove all 4 keeper rings on the end to change out
2a. place the driving tool against the keeper ring and hit it once to loosen slightly
2b. using the screwdriver, position it against the keeper ring tang at a 45 degree
angle and hit with hammer. with practice it will compress the spring action
and pop out of the groove (watch for flying debris).
2c. flip the driveshaft half over and repeat
3. Drive the bearing caps out
3a. Using the driving rod, hammer against the bearing cap on one side, and drive
opposite side cap out as far as you can till spider is against the far end of the yoke.
3b. Using vise grips, grab the bearing cap and twist to remove (may be difficult)
3c. Flip the shaft 180 and drive opposite side cap out by hammering against the
now exposed spider end. (careful not to gouge the inner surface of the yoke)
3d. Seperate the spider from the yoke half and repeat the process on the other 2
bearing caps

Installation is just the reverse. Couple of tips:
1. Before trying to re-install the new joint, fill the bearing cups with a heavy wheel bearing grease to keep the needle bearings from falling out while hammering.
2. Do not install any grease zerk fittings till joint is fully re-assembled. If old joint has one, remove it before starting the removal process,
3. When finished, lightly tap the yokes to seat the bearing caps against the keeper rings

If you encounter any hard resistance driving the caps in STOP immediately and check for a needle bearing that may have fallen out of alignment.

The vise makes a good 3rd pair of hands from time to time, and makes a handy press to get the the bearing caps most of the way back into the yoke

 

Thanks... 2 bad you don't live in nashville.. thanks for the help.. i am going to try to tackle this mission soon.