Left front (knukle) u-joint has play?

[DDT]

I was rotating tires and looked at the left side knukle while tire was removed. I noticed a lot of play in the u joint, checked the other side and did not notice any play there. I do not have a service manual. Is this a pain? Does the ball joints need to come out to pull the axle. The ball joints were new when I bought this truck 5000 miles ago Wonder why they did not catch this.

Thanks for any thoughts

DDT

 

[WoodChuck]

You can leave the knuckle together but the hub needs to come off. Once the hub is off the axle slides right out.

 

[brods]

... ... Is this a pain? ... .

Depends on how badly rusted to the knuckle the unit bearing is.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...bearing-assembly-removal-lessons-learned.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...iscussions/157800-hub-bearing-assemblies.html



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...386-hub-removal-lessons-learned-pictures.html

 

[RVTRKN]

Its a good excuse for the Dynatrac unlockable hub setup if you ask me. Here's the link if your interested. Dynatrac

 

[Wingate]

Ball joints can stay in, the u-joint is also easy to change. If you don't have access to a press, a bench vise or big c-clamp will aid when installing the new u-joint caps.