Hi all, I was trying to replace the front drive axle u-joints on my 2004 F350 last night. They were in there pretty tight and I ended up bending the ears a bit on the the drivers side stub axle. They're bent enough that I can't get the snap rings onto the u-joint caps. Any ideas about how I can bend the ears back? or do I have to buy a new stub axle?

 

I would worry they would break if you bent them back. Or not get it straight and have a vibration problem. Maybe a junkyard?

 

Yeah, I'm actually going to a wrecking yard this afternoon to check out some axle shaft assemblies. $175 complete, not a bad deal, especially if I can get one with a needle bearing race in better shape than the old one. Then it will be off to Ford to have them press out the old u-joints. I've had enough of fighting with those monsters myself. I was trying to use the ball joint press tool, it didn't go well, I don't recommend it.

 

Some heat makes everything easier.

 

I did the same thing on mine. In fact I just posted on here in another post about supporting the ears from the inside when pressing the joints out. Live and learn. It could have been much worse.