U Joint Question ?
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SAMSULA
U Joint Question ?
As Some Of Yall Already Know... My 97 F350 Crew Cab Srw Psd With 250k Miles On It, Is In The Er At Ford. I Was Told 2 Years Ago That The U Joints Were Going To Need To Be Replaced Soon. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind... But Since It Was There I Had Ford Check It Out. They Said That The Rear U Joints Were In Pretty Bad Shape, And Like The Alan Jackson Song They Could Fixer Up For About 8....$900 Bucks. That Seemed Pretty Expensive. Actually I Almost Choked. Is This Something That A Rookie Like Myself Can Do Or Am I Better Off Paying For It? I Searched All Over The Internet On How To Do It, But No Luck.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
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From: Cincinnati OH
if you are just talking about the driveshaft u-joints you should be able do it. all the info you need can be found from everyone here. as long as you have basic mechanical knowledge and know how to turn a wrench. it will probably take a lot of elbow grease since they are probably old and siezed in the yokes. i haven't done my driveshaft u-joints, but my front axle u-joints (ttb, dana 50, i think) were pretty easy with a balljoint/u-joint press. good luck, hope you can save some cash
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Junior User
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From: SAMSULA
Thanks... I Thought More Folks Would Have Some Insight On This One. That Alone Kinda Scares Me Into Thinking This Is Not As Easy As I Might Think. Gotta Get Them Fixed Though...i Pull A 6 Horse Goose Neck Trailer, Loaded, All Over Fl, Every Weekend. I Need My Truck As Reliable As I Can Afford It To Be
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 163
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From: Thunder Bay, Canada
It sure shouldn't cost that much if the u-joints are all they want to change. U-joints should only be about $15-20 each.
There is also a carrier bearing in the driveline too, but even all the u-joints, plus the cost of the carrier bearing shouldn't be too much, and there can't be all that much labor time.
If you are not up to the task, take it to another shop for a quote, but ask the dealer for a list of what they wanted to do to compare quotes
Like skittlejr said, if you have some moderate knowledge, and the right tools it's a pretty straightforward job. A u-joint press makes it easy, and you should be able to rent one from autozone type places.
Ken
There is also a carrier bearing in the driveline too, but even all the u-joints, plus the cost of the carrier bearing shouldn't be too much, and there can't be all that much labor time.
If you are not up to the task, take it to another shop for a quote, but ask the dealer for a list of what they wanted to do to compare quotes
Like skittlejr said, if you have some moderate knowledge, and the right tools it's a pretty straightforward job. A u-joint press makes it easy, and you should be able to rent one from autozone type places.
Ken
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
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From: Nampa, ID
I haven't replaced the U-Joints on my current truck. I have replaced them on several other vehicles. I used a large C-Clamp and a deep-well socket that fits the inside diameter of the joint you're trying to press out. The same items helped press the new U-Joints in.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
a vice also works well with the sockets! like said if you have some mechanical knowledge you should be able to do it. if you run into problems you could always just pull the drive shafts and bring them to a local shop (NOT THE DEALER!) and have them do the u-joint them put the shaft back in.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ellensburg, Washington
I agree with Tim, screw the dealer and their $9hundo to fix your u-joints. Take it to your local axle shop or even Les Schwab and they will fix ya up and get ya back on the road again. Good luck!
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SAMSULA
Just Found Out From Ford That It Is The U Joint On The Front Right Axle Shaft That Is Bad. Which I Assume Means That I Would Have To Take The Enitre Right Front Hub Etc. Apart To Fix This. Im Not So Sure About This One. Any One Replaced One Of These U Joints Before?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
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From: Cincinnati OH
that explains the hefty estimate. wouldn't try that project without a well exquipped garage (compressor,torch, etc.), a lot of time, and a lot of tools, some specialty. if you're only a rookie to a ford psd and not a rookie to turning a wrench you can do it. but most likely you'll want to go with what stroked said after you find out the cost of parts.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SAMSULA
Thanks... Im Gonna Get Some Estimates From Some Shops Around Here. From Ford, The U Joint Itself Is About $120. That Seemed Expensive Considering I Have Seen Them As Cheap As $18. I Would Love To Rip Into The Truck And See What Happens, But My Wife Would Kill Me If It Was Out Of Comission For Longer Then A Day. Thanks For The Advise, Looks Like Ill Have To Make Another Trip To The Bank.
Beer! Good luck brother
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 555
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From: Cincinnati OH
call napa and get theirs, quality stuff. never got the wrong part from napa. i will praise them till i do. autozone- 90 percent wrong parts. you'll pay more at napa, but if u go elsewhere, do your research before hand. i can try and get u oem part number tomorrow. but u could probably find that here or anywhere on the web
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