W250 Dana 60 Axle "Steering" U-joint Replacement?

[KEENO]

Hey Gang!



Has anyone had to replace the "Steering" universals on each end of the front Dana 60?



My drivers side universal is making noise & the other First Gen looks like it could use both!



Procedure/Cost/Tips/Advice/Encouragement would be appreciated!



Thanks... KEENO



I have a manual but haven't peeked into it yet for this job.

 

[Case500D]

Hey KEENO,



I had to replace the right steering U-joint on my truck two years ago and have to change the left one before we get snow. You have to remove the wheel, four wheel drive lockout, brake caliper, wheel hub, and axle stub. Then you can pull the front axle out. Be sure to replace the needle carrier bearings and seal that are located in the axle stub. To get the U-joints apart, you need a big hammer and a big vise. As far as tools, you need a axle nut socket to get the front wheel bearing loose, a torque wrench, and a press of some sort and a slide hammer for the needle bearings. It took me about half a day to do the right side on mine. I bet I can do it this time in 4 hours, but don't forget the Muphey's Law factor. Doh!!! I think that U-joints are about $25 each and the carrier bearings and seal are $10-15 a set. I got mine from NAPA. The new u-joints I got are greasable where as the stock ones were not. Anyway, I hope this helps you out a bit.



Jeremy

 

[JTeague]

been there done that

Case 500D is right on about the replacement of the UJoints. The trunion (needle) bearings in the axle stub may or may not need replacement, either way make sure the seals are good and the bearing is loaded with grease. Be cafeful when you reinstall the axles not to drag them on the bottom of the axle housing allowing them to pick up dirt an grit, which will cause a gear oil leak out of the ends of the housing. Also, after you are done beating and cussing on the old Ujoints make sure that the new ujoint clips are firmly seated in the caps so they don't fly out going down the road.

 

[KEENO]

Thanks Case & JT for the information!



I'm not looking forward to having to do this job...



Have a great weekend!



KEENO

 

[JFitzgerald]

The above posts have covered everything well. I just wanted to add a couple "extra" ideas.



1. I have heard that the local driveshaft shop here only charges $10 or $15 for labor to replace the u-joint if you bring them the axle shaft assy. They would likely use a press instead of a hammer like most of us. Either way will work. Just a thought if you'd rather have that part done. And be sure to use a quality joint, you don't want to have to do this job very often.



2. Like JTeague mentioned, the axle shaft can pick up some dirt on the way in. If your housing is full of dirt and/or grease, you could make up a simple tool like I did for scraping it out. I welded a large washer to the end of a piece of pipe (I used 1/2" electrical conduit) but any steel pipe will work. The washer should be larger in diameter than the pipe (the larger the better, up to the size of the housing), and welded flat against the end of the pipe so you can drag the crud out of the housing. What I do is scrape out the big stuff, and then jack one end of the axle up and flush out the other end with brake cleaner, then do the opposite end the same way. On a truck that stays on the road, this may not even be necessary, but my Jeep gets drug through mud regularly, so it comes in handy for me.



You'll be an expert after you get all three done!

 

[Matt S]

And I thought I was a glutton for punishment. Mine were replaced by the shop that rebuilt the front end about 2 years ago. Doesn't look much harder than replacing the rotors. Let us know how your making out.