Can anyone help me out with a step by step on how to replace the rear U-joints in my 2001 F150 Supercab 5.4 4X4? Also how many are there and where are they located? Thanks

 

u-joints are the swivel sockets on each end of the drive shaft that goes from the transmission transfer case to the rear axle. there is one on each end (there is also a drive shaft up front to the front axle with two more). there are 4 small bolts that clamp the joint to the alxe pinion and i believe the front slides in on a spline shaft. you remove the 4 small maybe 10mm metric bolts from the clamp on the alxe and pry the drive shaft down, then pull it off the front spline.... take the drive shaft to the shop. it is now best to use a small press, or maybe a big c-clamp to push the old u joints (swivel) out of the shaft ends and install the newones. there are needle bearings on the cups that form the swivel. if you have not seen it or done it before, ots probably a little hard to picture right now. i would suggest finding someone that has done it to help you out. not difficult, but if not carefull you will damage the joint or loose a needle bearing.

 

Hi Steve, thanks for the great info. I will try this sometime this weekend and post back how it goes. Any other tips or issues you think I'll run into?

 

Tip from an old timer:
To keep the needle bearings from falling out of the cup when installing new joints, remove the cups and place a generous dob of heavy bearing axle grease inside and work it into the needles. The stiff grease will help hold the needles in place.
Leave the grease fitting off the cross till assembly is complete. This allows the excess grease to be easily pushed back out of the cups/cross.