4x4 axle U-joint replacement

psdguy95 · May 18, 2012

The two u joints on my front axle shafts are toast and need to be replaced. Are these shafts held in by clips or do they just slide in? Also the inner seals are shot. If i pull the internals out do they just bolt back in without needing to be reset?

907DAVE · May 24, 2012

If you dont have any experience with the double cardan setup, you are better off taking it to someone who does. They are not hard to do, but without the proper tools and knowledge you will end up doing more damage.

Typically the centering yoke seal goes out allowing the grease out - and road debris in, its pretty common. Problem is when you let it go and it wears into the pin (part of the driveline). If this is the case you are looking at a total driveline rebuild as it cannot simply be replaced.

Dmstrucks02 · May 24, 2012

907DAVE said:
If you dont have any experience with the double cardan setup, you are better off taking it to someone who does. They are not hard to do, but without the proper tools and knowledge you will end up doing more damage.

Typically the centering yoke seal goes out allowing the grease out - and road debris in, its pretty common. Problem is when you let it go and it wears into the pin (part of the driveline). If this is the case you are looking at a total driveline rebuild as it cannot simply be replaced.

Are the Ujoints going to the hubs double cardan?

907DAVE · May 24, 2012

Whoops, guess I miss understood the OP.

Carry on.

Dmstrucks02 · May 24, 2012

I was just making sure I understood also, but I'm no help since I have never messed with them on my truck. I assume it's similar to the drive shaft U joints

907DAVE · May 24, 2012

U-Joints are u-joints. Only difference being the configuration they are in and what you have to take apart to get at them.

I now believe the OP is talking about the "wheel joints", the same goes for these also. There is a special tool needed to re-install the hub seals and if the tube seals are leaking thats a whole other project.

But, like everything else today I totally failed....so before I stick my foot further into my mouth - I'm out.

Dmstrucks02 · May 24, 2012

No harm, hopefully the OP gets it worked out

Cat_rebel · May 24, 2012

The shafts just slide in and sometimes take a little motivation to remove. Once you remove it then it's a basic U joint swap but with C clips on the inside of the yoke vrs the outside. The inner seal will require you to pull your front diff cover and drop your carrier out. You will then need a long prybar/pipe & a hammer to drive the old seals out then carefully reinstall the new ones. Set your carrier back in & rebolt up with the shims and races setup the same way they came out. Just be careful reinstalling the axle shafts so that you don't screw up the new seals you just installed.

psdguy95 · May 24, 2012

907DAVE said:
U-Joints are u-joints. Only difference being the configuration they are in and what you have to take apart to get at them.

I now believe the OP is talking about the "wheel joints", the same goes for these also. There is a special tool needed to re-install the hub seals and if the tube seals are leaking thats a whole other project.

But, like everything else today I totally failed....so before I stick my foot further into my mouth - I'm out.

Yes the wheel joints. Sorry. I didn't know the specific name for them. I have the tools to do it but i've only had a front end apart like this on an obs. I just wanted to make sure if it was the same on the super duty.

Cat_rebel said:
The shafts just slide in and sometimes take a little motivation to remove. Once you remove it then it's a basic U joint swap but with C clips on the inside of the yoke vrs the outside. The inner seal will require you to pull your front diff cover and drop your carrier out. You will then need a long prybar/pipe & a hammer to drive the old seals out then carefully reinstall the new ones. Set your carrier back in & rebolt up with the shims and races setup the same way they came out. Just be careful reinstalling the axle shafts so that you don't screw up the new seals you just installed.

Ok. That's how i thought it went. What is the torque specs on the carrier bolts? and does anyone have a part # on the the inner and outer seals?

JLDickmon · May 26, 2012

to remove them, I just get behind the driveshaft yoke and pop it out with a prybar.. once I have the unit bearing removed, BTW..

forget doing axle joints with a press, the caps are too big.

To get the assembly with new seals back in, I use a flapper wheel and clean the rust up, then schmear everything with marine grease.. slides right in there..