Front U-joint replacement

[rdjacobs]

Having trouble taking wheel hub nut off. Won't budge with 1/2" break over and 2 foot cheater pipe.

 

[rscurtis]

That is the easy part. Wait 'till you try to remove the wheel bearings. You should really be using 3/4" drive hardware on those nuts.

 

[Slow Six]

Don't take any of that apart. Loosen the four bolts that hold the whole assembly to the axle housing , put a socket and extension between the bolt and the housing, start the engine and turn the steering wheel. This should loosen the assembly from the axle housing and just remove hub assembly and axle as one piece. I may not be describing this correctly. Do a search on this topic as there were a lot of threads on this topic. This is where I learned about it. I have done mine a couple of times now and have not wrecked a bearing or anything else. Remember to have lots of anti seize on hand before assembly.

 

[bighammer]

Don't take any of that apart. Loosen the four bolts that hold the whole assembly to the axle housing , put a socket and extension between the bolt and the housing, start the engine and turn the steering wheel. This should loosen the assembly from the axle housing and just remove hub assembly and axle as one piece. I may not be describing this correctly. Do a search on this topic as there were a lot of threads on this topic. This is where I learned about it. I have done mine a couple of times now and have not wrecked a bearing or anything else. Remember to have lots of anti seize on hand before assembly.

And if they're rusted on good, you can trash your lower ball joint at the same time. (don't ask how I know :{)