Front Axle removal
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Junior User
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From: ohio
Front Axle removal
Okay everybody. I am trying to replace all the U-joints on the front drive axle on a 1985 F-250 4X4. I believe it is a heavy duty because I am also replacing brake calipers and rotors and I have dual piston calipers and the larger size rotor 11 inch I believe it was. I also think from reading on previous posts that the hubs pretty much fill up the hole in the rim.
Here is where I am at. I am currently working on the right side. I have the right hub and the spindle off. The outer part of the axle came off allowing me to change one u-joint. The shorter part of the right axle seems to be stuck in the differential. It does move slightly but will not come out. How in the world do I get it out so that I can replace this inner u-joint. I keep reading about a inspection plate bolts and also that the diff cover needs to be removed to get at clips on the inside of the diff. I can't find any external bolts and I also do not see a diff cover that is removable.
Please help. Thanks
Here is where I am at. I am currently working on the right side. I have the right hub and the spindle off. The outer part of the axle came off allowing me to change one u-joint. The shorter part of the right axle seems to be stuck in the differential. It does move slightly but will not come out. How in the world do I get it out so that I can replace this inner u-joint. I keep reading about a inspection plate bolts and also that the diff cover needs to be removed to get at clips on the inside of the diff. I can't find any external bolts and I also do not see a diff cover that is removable.
Please help. Thanks
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From: Virginia
I did this on my f150. Right around where it goes into the pumpkin is a plate with some bolts. Take them off. Then pull really hard and it should come out.
When I did mine, I could not get it out, and did not want to break anything, so I took the whole pumpkin out. All you have to do is take the front driveshaft loose, and then loosen the bolts to drain the fluid, and then take the bolts out. The whole pumpkin with the little short shaft will come out toward the rear. Be careful, it's heavy. After I did this, I found out if I had pulled a little bit harder, the shaft would have come out without having to take the whole pumpkin out. But that's when I learned mine had a limited slip front, so that was neat to know.
P.S. The driver's side axle has to be pulled out to take the pumpkin completely out.
When I did mine, I could not get it out, and did not want to break anything, so I took the whole pumpkin out. All you have to do is take the front driveshaft loose, and then loosen the bolts to drain the fluid, and then take the bolts out. The whole pumpkin with the little short shaft will come out toward the rear. Be careful, it's heavy. After I did this, I found out if I had pulled a little bit harder, the shaft would have come out without having to take the whole pumpkin out. But that's when I learned mine had a limited slip front, so that was neat to know.
P.S. The driver's side axle has to be pulled out to take the pumpkin completely out.
Last edited by Franklin2; Oct 26, 2007 at 07:09 PM.
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From: Virginia
It did have a little tapered bearing on the shaft. Sorry I didn't know the later ones had c-clips. Looks like you are going to have to take the driver's side back apart and pull the axle out of the pumpkin to take the whole thing out.
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Junior User
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From: ohio
(Right around where it goes into the pumpkin is a plate with some bolts) - I can not find bolts like your talking about here around the R/H axle shaft.
So you are saying to take the drivers side all apart and that axle will pull out of the differential? After this I can then take the diff cover off in order to remove the R/H axle shaft.
I will look into this tomorrow some more. Did not work on it today. Thanks
So you are saying to take the drivers side all apart and that axle will pull out of the differential? After this I can then take the diff cover off in order to remove the R/H axle shaft.
I will look into this tomorrow some more. Did not work on it today. Thanks
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Junior User
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From: ohio
((the axle beam is the cover))
OH now I see the big picture. Well just heading out to get to work on it. Wish me luck.
OH now I see the big picture. Well just heading out to get to work on it. Wish me luck.
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From: Virginia
I had to do mine with 12 inches of snow on the ground. I had to shovel out around each wheel an area to work, and lay on a old piece of carpet in about 30-40 degree weather. I think that was the noreaster we got in 1996. The splines stripped on my passenger side axle where the yoke is, so I had to get a new axle and yoke. I remember replacing the u-joints too. They were the tightest I think I have ever taken apart. I took it to work, and had about 10 tons on it before it broke loose.
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From: Laveen
I rebuilt the front end of my 84 F150 to include all of the rubber parts and seals but I didn't have to drain the differential or replace the U joints. If the U joints are still tight and have good seals don't mess with them unless you really want to do the extra work. You cannot grease them any more, and if you screw up a seal disassembling one then you do have to buy a new one as the seals are not available. Been there and screwed that one up!
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From: ohio
Just an update.
I took all the right side apart today. Removed the differential and found the stinking
C-Clip that is holding the left side in. WOW what a job. Some engineer was thinking when they did this one. Took all the parts to work tonight and cleaned everything up.
Pressed all the U-joints off and replaced them. I will start on putting stuff together tomorrow. Wish me luck.
I took all the right side apart today. Removed the differential and found the stinking
C-Clip that is holding the left side in. WOW what a job. Some engineer was thinking when they did this one. Took all the parts to work tonight and cleaned everything up.
Pressed all the U-joints off and replaced them. I will start on putting stuff together tomorrow. Wish me luck.
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