Front axle u joints move a little

[6.7 Powerstroker]

I noticed my front axle u joints move up and down a little and make a clunking noise when going over the curb pulling in the driveway. Anyone know the exact parts needed to repair? I think i can find everything but the needle bearings. Does the axle 3b387a come with the seal and bearings attached or are the bearings seperate?

 

[WHY NOT]

I would guess you just need new U joints. They can be had at any auto parts store, they come with needle bearings.

 

[6.7 Powerstroker]

The u joints move up and down but it looks more like they move because of the seals or bearing on the axle. The u joints may be bad also. The wheel turns freely and is solid at the 12 and 6 positions so the ball joints are still good. I took out the hub and I can see the axle end and its what's moving.

 

[6.7 Powerstroker]

I went ahead and took off the wheel, pads, calipers and locking hub. Then I couldn't get the snap ring out and broke my $76 napa snap ring pliers trying to get it off so i put it back toget her until I get some longer ones. Once the wheel was off I did notice if I spun the hub it would spin but stop as soon as I stopped spinning it. Not like when it had the wheel mounted where it would continue to spin.

 

[Zmann]

the proper snap ring pliers took me 6 tries

luckily you just need to pull the 4x4 selector hub to try the pliers

the unit bearings don't free wheel specially because of the vacuum seal

you may be off base with your diagnosis IMO a curb shouldn't make a bad u joint clunk

thats more like a trac bar or loose shock / component

also when you pull the axleshaft just take it to a shop and have them swap a new one for you but remember your going to need a new Vacuum seal and a way to install it

 

[6.7 Powerstroker]

I think I've seen on ebay where you can buy an axle yoke with the seal and bearings installed for about $100. I've found bearings (not 100% sure they match) for it for $10 to $15 and the seal for about $50. Probably worth paying the $100 for them put together. I had my wife go up and down the curb and I watched from the front and seems to come from the drivers side wheel. I did check the shocks and they're all tight. The bar the dual steering stabilizers are mounted to does move up and down but just a little.
Are u joints supposed to move at all when not engaged in 4wd?