When I took my truck to the dealer to replace my lift pump, they also told me that my rear u-joint (one to the diff) was going south. I was in a hurry and needed my truck back, so I told them that I would take care of it myself.

I've never replaced one before, how hard a job is it? What tools am I gonna need? All I have are hand tools with me (at college), no presses or vices or such. Should I just buy the part and take it to a local shop and have it done? Thanks for any info.

Hunter

 

It's not hard, actully the rear one is the easyist. Wrench the 4 bolts out that hold it to the rear end, pry it forward to get the cups off the rearend and the shaft and joint will fall out. Pull the shaft back and take it out from under the truck. The joint is held in by 2 snap rings, after removing them I just basically pound it out. Putting the new one in you have to be extra careful not to drop any needles either out or down in the end of the cap. If you think its a bit much I'm sure you can take it to Cook's Automotive and they probably will put it in the shaft for you.

 

I did some work, and copied these instructions from my service manual, best $15.50 I ever spent. I love E-bay

SINGLE CARDAN UNIVERSAL JOINTS REMOVAL
Single cardan U-joint components are not serviceable.
If defective they must be replaced as a unit.
CAUTION: Clamp only the narrow forged portion of
the yoke in the vise. To avoid distorting the yoke,
do not over tighten the vise jaws.
(1) Remove axle shaft.
(2) Remove the bearing cap retaining snap rings

NOTE: Saturate the bearing caps with penetrating
oil prior to removal.
(3) Locate a socket with an inside diameter is
larger than the bearing cap. Place the socket (receiver)
against the yoke and around the perimeter of the
bearing cap to be removed.
(4) Locate a socket with an outside diameter is
smaller than the bearing cap. Place the socket (driver)
against the opposite bearing cap.
(5) Position the yoke with the sockets in a vise
(6) Tighten the vise jaws to force the bearing cap
into the larger socket (receiver).
(7) Release the vise jaws. Remove the sockets and
bearing cap that was partially forced out of the yoke.
(8) Repeat the above procedure for the remaining
bearing cap and remove spider from the propeller
shaft yoke.

INSTALLATION
(1) Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing
lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base
lubricant to aid in installation.
(2) Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seals
and bearings. Tap the bearing caps into the yoke
bores far enough to hold the spider in position.
(3) Place the socket (driver) against one bearing
cap. Position the yoke with the socket in a vise.
(4) Tighten the vise to force the bearing caps into
the yoke. Force the caps enough to install the retaining
clips.
(5) Install the bearing cap retaining clips.
(6) Install axle shaft.
(7) Do doughnuts in driveway.

 

Why would you want to take it to crook's? I got a buddy of mine who works there and after hearing all the stuff that he himself has screwed up personally, I wouldn't DARE take my truck over there.

 

Firestorms instructions sound easiest to me DD4x4. My vise does not open enough to fit two sockets and the driveshaft, so I put a 12" C clamp in the vise and used the clamp to press the caps out....could be done that way without a vise too.
Good luck !

 

Great, thanks for all the great info. I'm gonna get at it this weekend. If it seems like its beyond my means and tools, then I"ll hang the rear driveshaft up w/ a rope and put'er in 4H and use the front end to crawl my way to the shop down the block.

 

Just take the shaft to have the cups pressed in. If you don't have the correct vise, you are able to screw things up. Should only cost you $5 or so.