I have a 1987 f-150 with a bad u-joint on the right side axle shaft (outter one) i currently have the front end tore apart and can't get the axle to come out of the diff. from what i'm reading in the manual it should just pop out. it seems stuck i can move it in and out about an 1/8". any ideas?

 

Just to be clear, right side = passenger side right?

If so, did you remove the outer clamp on the rubber boot at the inner slip joint?

Also if the center u joint is stiff / froze up it can and will make it hard to pull the outer shaft out.

If the center joint is found to be stiff replace it now or it will damage the inner stub shaft bearings over a fairly short period of time.

 

yes passenger side. I was acctually thinking of replacing both joints seeing as i have it apart and it is my plow truckso it will get abuse. i didn't remove the clamps on the slip joint because i was hoping to get the whole shaft out. but if i can't pull the axle from the diff i will just put the outter joint in cause the inner one isn't sticky

 

You can't pull the inner stub shaft out without dropping the pig first, it has a C clip inside retaining it.

Its not exactly "fun" but replacing that center joint is doable working under the truck.

Even though a pain doing so it still beats the heck out of dropping everything to do it, at least in my opinion.

If you got a leaking seal or some other issue you could/should correct at the same time? then yea drop it and fix it that way.