so, if it IS my u joints that need to be replaced, is that easy to do on my own, and what are part costs lookin like? I was going to jack my truck up yesterday to look and see what the problem was, but got called out on work.

still gettin the popping-cracking-snapping-biting-rough turns left or right. so something is definately going to need to be replaced

 

The hardest part is getting the bearing out, especially if it has never been done before. If you break the bearings $250 to $500 depending where you get them from. The ujoints themselves are less than $30 and easily to change. But while you have everything apart you might as well do the ball joints $65 - $105 depending on what you get. Time wise a good day if the bearing are sezied.

 

thanks! good to hear I can do it all myself, is it easy to break the bearings? I like to think I am mechaniclly inclined, I have done all the work on this thing so far, and it hasnt died yet.

 

If you use a puller you can separate the bearing. They could also be bad even before you start. There is thread on here some where explaining how to use the power steering to assist in removing the bearing, just do a search for bearings. Pounding on the 4 bolts with a dead blow hammer works for some. Just depends how rusted they are to the knuckle. Use lots of pentrating oil.

 

There is a ton of threads here regarding the removal of the hub assemblies. Your key ingridients will be a secrificial 18mm deep socket and a 5lb short handle sledge, oh yeah, some good aim and patience.

JR

 

I would take the advice from GreyTD. Since your already in there you might as well change the ball joints if they are headed south, make sure you get the greaseable ones if you do replace them.

I did my ball joints recently and although my u-joints were holding up good so far I already have 90k on the truck and I know they will be needing changed soon.

I beleive I got the ball joints from AutoValue(greaseable Moog joints) and they also quoted me like $25 per u-joint and they were greaseable aswell.

A good hammer, a strong arm, & a couple of choice words and you will have it torn down in no time.

 

Get a good penetrating oil like PB Blaster or Kroil, even Liquid Wrench is better then WD-40.

 

if you live in a dry climate like az don't worry about your bearings be froze.i recently put on the dynatac manual hubs and was dreading the stuck bearing problem.after removing everything down to the bearing hubs they actually pulled out just by pulling on the wheel studs by hand,did have to use a screw driver to pop them over the outer axle splines though. i think that if you live where they use salt on the roads is where u will have this problem.

 

yeah, with me nothing is every easy....so I am pretty sure I will plan for the worse to happen on the dismanteling of the ujoints.

they really like to salt the roads here, even more than in AK, which is hard to believe, it kills everything on my truck. I hate it.