U-Joint Replacement
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
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.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
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.
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.
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Moto52
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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Jul 19, 2017 05:26 PM
