Front axel U joints

[tdorgan]

Hi I have a 1994 4x4 ranger with bad u joints on the front axel. I live in MA and this is begining to become a problem as we're getting our first snow of the year and when you lock the front hubs to use 4x4, it makes a terrible clunking and grinding noise as you try and turn. I went to autozone the other day to purchase them (I think i need three but correct me if I am wrong) and it seems the good people at ford decided to make two different sized front axel U-joints for that year ranger for whatever reason. So what I need to know is if there is anyway to tell what size my truck has before taking it apart so I dont have to go to the parts store in the middle of the job? VIN number maybe? Can anyone help me out here?
Thanks
-Trevor

 

[ashleyroachclip]

If you have the 4.0 then you have the Dana 35, and those are the largest U joints .

You will not need to change the middle u joint coming off of the differential,
hidden under a rubber boot that you have to cut band clamps to remove the right side axle and then you can make the determination weather it needs service.
It is work that can bee done in a few hours with minor tools and your wheel bearings will get packed at the same time.

 

[4x4junkie]

Ford did not make two different size U-joints for that axle, that is Autosuck's (most chain stores) parts computer that no one seems to give a flying F' about being programmed in error (and has been that way ever since those joints became the sole parts used from 1991-1997).

Your 1994 front axle was fitted with Spicer 5-297X u-joints regardless of engine or axle type. This is the joint with 1.188" caps if that's still the method they are using. The current Spicer replacement joint is 5-760X (5-297X now being obsolete).

 

[tdorgan]

Thanks for the help guys, gonna pull it apart next weekend. I'll post something on here to let you know how it goes.

 

[Ranger44]

If you are going to go through the trouble of doing front joints get the spicer replacements. The 5-760x's.

Look on ebay, they are everywhere. Yeah they are $25ea, but if you compare the quality (and strength) between the two.....they are night and day. Not to mention the seals for the caps. That makes the difference in the longevity of the joints. I went through 2 sets of the precisions(those are the expensive ones at most parts stores), before I finally switched to the spicers.

Also invest in one of these.....

Ball joint/u-joint press. Makes the difference.

 

[AllanD]

Hi I have a 1994 4x4 ranger with bad u joints on the front axel. I live in MA and this is begining to become a problem as we're getting our first snow of the year and when you lock the front hubs to use 4x4, it makes a terrible clunking and grinding noise as you try and turn. I went to autozone the other day to purchase them (I think i need three but correct me if I am wrong) and it seems the good people at ford decided to make two different sized front axel U-joints for that year ranger for whatever reason. So what I need to know is if there is anyway to tell what size my truck has before taking it apart so I dont have to go to the parts store in the middle of the job? VIN number maybe? Can anyone help me out here?
Thanks
-Trevor

The parts lookup is WRONG.

This is related to the "late" (1993-up) "Dana28" axle being confused with the "earlier" (1983-1989) Dana28 axle.

The "late Dana 28" is refered to as the "hybred" D28 and uses the same large u-joints as a Real D35.

But as you have a 4.0 you definatly have the D35 axle

To avoid the confusion LIE to the parts counter moron and tell him you have a 1992 Explorer.


you will run into the same bullshit when you try to buy wheel bearings and brake rotors.

AND often when you try to buy parts for your REAR axle the parts counter idiots will try to give you the
rear axle bearigs that fit an F-150 or Explorer.

your 28-spline 8.8" takes the same axle bearings and shaft seals as a 5.0 Mustang.


AD