Axle U joint replacement

[DieselBuzz]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I saw somewhere that you could replace the front axle U joint w/out taking the steering knuckle off??? Pull the clips and bash it out??

I tried taking the top king pin/ ball joint out, but the mother flower seems to be quite firmly in place. I'm using a two foot pipe and I'm affraid to torque it any more than I have.

 

[RDusch]

DieselBuzz,



Pull everything down to the spindle, then unbolt the spindle and remove it, with the spindle gone the shafts will slide out.



when removing the u joint put one side in a vise, don't hammer on the bearing cap, but hammer down on the free side of the yoke and let the u joint drive the opposite end out of the yoke, kinda hard to explain but you'll see when you start hammerin.



Rick

 

[RGT]

like he said it can easilly be done by just unbolting the spindle, don't forget new wheel seal and axle seals, you might replace the torrington bearing in the spindle while your in there, I did both mine a month or so ago so as to ward off any potential snowfall this year... .

 

[PPeters]

Pulling kingpin, require much torque you will. Applied 30" heavy wall pipe and 7/8" long arm allen wrench I did. Used the force, went ass over teacup, but pin come out, it did.



Pat

 

[DieselBuzz]

Ok, I've been expecting it to be

. . ass over tea cup . .

thing. Instead of

. . it can be easily done by unbolting the spindle...

Maybe I should wear a helmet?!



RGT, the torrington bearing, is that the nylon bushing that rides on top of the kingpin with the spring pushing down on it? Is there another seal at the base of the kingpin? Where did you get your parts, the dealer? I have the wheel seals and have ordered the bushings and the springs from the dealer.



Rick, I believe I got the picture. Only drive the caps out.



Thanks for the help, It is always great to consult with people who have done it before.



Art

 

[RGT]

leave your kingpins alone for this one, unless they need service too. The torrington bearing is the roller bearing that the axle shaft rides in as it passes through the spindle, it is pressed in the back of the spindle, there is a plastic spacer/bushing along with a seal there as well, they come as a kit, togethor. I ended up not replacing my bearings as they looked to be mint and were still running in clean grease, I cleaned them up and regreased them and put in the new spacer and seal. I got my ujoints and seals at a local parts house. ujoints were Preciscion, the torrington bearing, seal and spacer kit are Federal Mogul/BCA # SBK-3, I do have a puller for the torrington bearings if you need, I see you are not too far... .

 

[PPeters]

I did mine as part of a front axle overhaul. I bought most of my parts from Randy's Ring and Pinion, did u joints, all bearings/seals, etc. Prices were reasonable, service good. Randy's sells a kingpin kit with all the stuff you need for the job. Upper portion is seal, kingpin, nylon bushing, spring, cap, gasket. Lower is bearing, seal, dust cover (that's all, I think). Upper isn't too bad to take out, just muscle. Lower can be a little more fun, need to use a cold chisel to separate the lower pin, pry out, then use a drift to drive the dust cap and bearing out. Hub has inner and outer bearing/seal. Stub shaft has seal and bearing. Check the nylon bushing on the upper for wear if you have it out. Mine was OK on pass side, but really hogged out on drivers side. Replaced everything on both sides.



Pat