1987 Ranger Axle Swap

[AlaskanGrown]

I broke the passenger front axle shaft at the U-joint in my ranger. I was curious how difficult it would be to replace the shaft in the garage rather than paying someone to do it. I've changed a half-axle on a civic before but i reluctant to think that is even close to the same bear of a job.

Can anyone point me to a "how to" if it is a garage type job?

I searched the forums for related threads but was unable to find any related to the installation of the front axle.

AG

 

[scotts90ranger]

it's not all that hard to do yourself really. Support the truck on jack stands, remove the tire and hub, then wheel bearing lock nuts (if manual hubs you'll need the special socket, go to the auto parts store and ask for the socket for a Dana 44 (same socket on the D28), they'll know what you need), remove the caliper (two pins, you can get them out with a hammer and a screwdriver) and tie it up with a coat hanger. After the wheel bearing lock nuts are off pull the rotor off. Now you will see the bare spindle, take off the 5 nuts that hold that on and take a dead blow hammer or a block of wood and a regular hammer and get the spindle off. now just pull the shaft out through the hole where the spindle was (there will be resistance, but it'll just pull out), install the new shaft and reinstall, first time it'll probably take a couple hours but it's not bad