Need driveshaft U-joint help
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Montana
Need driveshaft U-joint help
First I would like to say thanks to everyone who has helped me on this site. You guys rock!!!!!!! I have saved a lot of money by the help I have gotten here. Now my next question. When I put my 2000 f250 into drive or reverse it makes a loud clunk. I have greased the slip yoke and changed out the sway bar bushing with no change. I went to a mechanic and had him crawl under and listen. He thinks that the front and rear u joints (there are 3) are bad on the rear drive shaft. Does anyone have detailed instruction on changing them. The rear one has 4 bolts and the shaft drops down. If I pull the G shaped clips out will the u joint just fall out. Any help would be great. I have searched but all I can find is info on the front axle u joints.
Thanks
Budman
Thanks
Budman
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
They have to pressed in and out, with either a press or a hammer. You have to remove the clips and support the yoke and have an open area for the cap to fall into. Then drive the ujoing down. Sometimes you have drive both sides out, sometimes the cap you were driving can be wiggled out of the yoke.
If you u-joints are toast, you can wiggle the shaft by hand.
If you u-joints are toast, you can wiggle the shaft by hand.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Montana
Rats, I was hoping it would be easy. Well I don't have a press so I better just pay a mechanic. I can't wiggle the shaft by hand. But I don't know what else it could be.
Thanks for the reply.
Budman
Thanks for the reply.
Budman
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
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From: NH
Budman,
If you google "replacing rear driveshaft u-joints" you get a quite a few good hits. Here's one with pics. Replacing car or truck u-joints is the same procedure and is relatively easy if your mechanically inclined. Go with Spicer non-greasable (no grease fitting) joints. the non greasable are much stronger but if you routinely submerge them you have to replace more often.
U-Joint Replace
If you google "replacing rear driveshaft u-joints" you get a quite a few good hits. Here's one with pics. Replacing car or truck u-joints is the same procedure and is relatively easy if your mechanically inclined. Go with Spicer non-greasable (no grease fitting) joints. the non greasable are much stronger but if you routinely submerge them you have to replace more often.
U-Joint Replace
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
It's pretty easy. I've done it on the side of the road with two sockets and a hammer, and a set of pliers.
Wiggle everything, it could be a bad pinion bearing, center/hanger bearing, sway bar bushings, trans mount, ect.
Wiggle everything, it could be a bad pinion bearing, center/hanger bearing, sway bar bushings, trans mount, ect.
Rather Be Floatin
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,468
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From: Marble Falls, Tx.
Budman, If you have another ride drop the shaft and take it to a driveshaft repair place and have them put in new spicer u-joints. I have had mine done at driveshaft shops here in Houston for the price of the u-joint plus $10.00, hell the socket i would ruin pounding them out would cost me more than that
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Senior User
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From: Montana
Thanks for all the replies. I may try it myself if I can't find some to do it for cheap. Another question. At the front of the shaft where it attaches to the transfere case there are 4 bolts that look like they take a special socket. Will a regular socket work or should I buy a special one?
Budman
Budman
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From: nj
it may be a 12 point bolt, and dont forget to mark the ds and where it bolts up u dont wanna have it out of balance when u put it back, i say do it yourself its not that hard just make sure to seat the clips back in all the way in the grooves
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
I did one once where I needed a special socket. Standard sockets and extensions didn't transfer enough torque with an impact wrench for us, so we barrowed a socket that was nearly a foot long. It popped right off with that specialty socket.
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Senior User
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From: Montana
I pulled the drive shaft today. The U joints are not the problem. I didn't replace them because they all work nice and smooth. I pulled the caps of the ones that don't have to be hammered out they have plenty of grease and look fine. The ones that are pressed in I rocked back and forth and they work smooth also. ReAX---- How do I check the trans mounts. I'll check that before I dig into the rear end. Thanks for all the help.
Budman
Budman
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Central Florida
Check the trans mount and pinion bearings the same way. You shouldn't be able to wiggle them hand. Grab hold of the trans tail housing and push it up and down, and left and right. It might move just a hair, but it should move the truck just as much. The pinion shaft should not move at all, push it left/right/up/down, and try spinning. It shouldn't spin either if the preload is tight.
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