Hey guys. I've developed a "squeek" in the front left u-joint located just inboard of the wheel. What's the procedure for changing this u-joint? Is it basically the same as "Mr. Gasket's" recent write-up on ball joint replacement, but going after the u-joint instead of the ball joint? I'm not sure if I want to tackle this myself. Any recommendations? Thanks for the help...

 

Its hard to tell what you can do with out knowing your tools & experience .
It can go south quick , I found on a 04 , that the rotors rusted onto the wheel bearing hub , ended up that the bearing separated , had to get new wheel bearing .

 

they're not bad to get to... pretty easy to do if you're mechanically inclined??

 

Definitely get yourself a good puller,I'm in the process of getting the right side done .That hub was stuck on there so tight with a puller and a slide hammer took 2 hrs to get off.I paid to get the driver side done last year and cost me like 850 so I figured i would try the right side and now I see why it cost so much .
Joe

 

Getting the hub off is the tough part especialy if they have never been done before. There are several posts to explain it but pullers can bust up the hub. Pushing it out from behind using the steering (powered in necesary) and a properly sized steel punch between the bolts and the steering knuckle worked very well for me.

You need a socket to fit the axle nut (before hub removal) and the axle pulls right out. The u-joint is pressed n and out can be done with a bit of care and the right size punch (read socket) and a BFH. Be careful ot to deform anything.

Clean and ANTI-SIEZE everything when reassembing. My hubs almost drop off now.

Cya

 

Thanks for the input guys. I do have access to the necessary tools, I'm just not sure my experience is up to the task. Anybody know what the parts cost, including the u-joint and bearing (just in case)? Would there be any other parts to have on hand for a Saturday/Sunday afternoon swap when parts stores are closed?

Anybody happen to have to the RockAuto part number for the u-joint in question? My truck is a 2004.5 4wd with 6-sp manual trans.

Thanks Again...

 

I think i paid $45 for the ujoint. The bearing assembly is around $300 I think so try not to break it. I would advise against a puller it will almost surely seperate the bearing. I used the power steering method and a lot of PB BLASTER (back the bolts out a little and put something between one bolt and the axle somewhere solid and use the power steering to push the bolt from the back repeat on remaining bolts back then back them out a lil further and repeat) till it comes out.

 

#464 is the axle joint you need.

 

Thanks guys. That's exactly the reason I hang around on here. Thanks for your input and time....