4x4 u-joints at the front wheels?

[BigYellowIron]

well i have a poping and cracking sound comming from my left front wheel when i'm turning. I jacked it up and spun the wheel and it seems to be my u-joint. makes a really loud sound when 4x4 is engaged and i turn.

are these hard to replace? I know they don't cost much.

just wondering if there is any tips or tricks.

adam

 

[sam peterson]

We have replaced lots of them in our shop. I also replaced my right side on my own truck. [shot at 64000 mi] not a hard job once you get the rotor & hub assm out of the way. the shaft slides right out and the joints fit like any other driveshaft. get the replacement joints with zerk fittings. all of the origionals that we have replaced have had very little grease in them. ---Sam

 

[Extreme1]

Hi Adam!

Do a search. I posted a bunch of details, tools required etc. about this recently...



Did you talk to Dave G. yet?

 

[Des]

I'd go with Sam's advice here. I had to have both U-Joints replaced at about 35K when I lived in Michigan. Mine were acting the same way you describe. If you do any serious offroading or are subject to the nasty weather of the north I would go with the zerk fittings. The fresh grease will help drive out any water that might get in the needle bearings. I give mine two or three shots of grease with every oil change and they have been treating me fine so far and I've got 99. 7K on the truck now. I can't remember the brand I put on either, it started with an "M" I think. As for the time involved, I had mine replaced under the extended warrenty at a local shop, so I really don't know.

 

[SMorneau]

Don't forget to clean out the axle housing tubes completely before you reinstall the axles. You don't want to trash the seals! You may have to make a scraper or something to help with the cleaning.