"Help" How to remove u-joint from front axle?

[88 XLT Ranger]

Ok this is my problem

Napa has the u-joint and hub seal for my 88 Ranger what is the best way to remove the u-joint? I use a socket and my big vice to press them in and out but these stock ones look tough to get out. This is the right side long axle with two u-joints the inside one seams tight but this outer one is junk

 

[Sunk]

It can be done by leaving the axle in the beam, but it's much easier to get to if you remove the shaft. You'll need to take apart the hub first. If you have manual hubs, you'll need a socket like this

If you have auto hubs, you'll need a 2 3/8" socket. The shaft is two pieces, with the inner part retained by a c-clip inside the diff. Once the hub is apart you can pull the shaft and it'll separate right at the rubber boot in the middle.

 

[alyoko]

I Am in the process of doing the same job myself. the inner ujoint 'usually' dosen't wear out, like to outter ones do. in canada the NAPA part number is 2-0456 I think (I'm at work) I used a hammer and some 4X2 wood to pound out the old caps and a hammer and held the shafts as i hammered in the caps. Besure to ADD more grease!!!! the grease thats in the cap is only enough to keep the needle bearings in place (you can never 'over-grease' a u-joint - this is right from Spicer's FAQ) Also, be sure to 'test' the u-joint cross in the shafts, I found that there are several different suppliers for NAPA and the ones with the all black cap seal (no metal/tin in the cap seal) worked for me.

 

[88 XLT Ranger]

I Am in the process of doing the same job myself. the inner ujoint 'usually' dosen't wear out, like to outter ones do. in canada the NAPA part number is 2-0456 I think (I'm at work) I used a hammer and some 4X2 wood to pound out the old caps and a hammer and held the shafts as i hammered in the caps. Besure to ADD more grease!!!! the grease thats in the cap is only enough to keep the needle bearings in place (you can never 'over-grease' a u-joint - this is right from Spicer's FAQ) Also, be sure to 'test' the u-joint cross in the shafts, I found that there are several different suppliers for NAPA and the ones with the all black cap seal (no metal/tin in the cap seal) worked for me.

Thanks so much alyoko, I got the right outer u-joint Napa NP JP436 with black cap seals and hub seal NOS 17846 I cant get the spindle off the steering knucle. I may have to buy a tool to get it off

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

ive had good luck using a set of cold chisels to remove the spindle. i start out with the smallest one and work around the flange/ knuckle area and once i can fit the small one all the way around i move to the next larger chisel and work my way around. ive used this method in the junkyard mulitiple times and it has always worked well for me. just make sure to tape a towel around the exposed spindle and threads so if you miss the chisel you wont ruin it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

ive had good luck using a set of cold chisels to remove the spindle. i start out with the smallest one and work around the flange/ knuckle area and once i can fit the small one all the way around i move to the next larger chisel and work my way around. ive used this method in the junkyard mulitiple times and it has always worked well for me. just make sure to tape a towel around the exposed spindle and threads so if you miss the chisel you wont ruin it.

I like this idea^^^.
I've had luck using the biggest RUBBER mallet [IIRC~2 lbs] I can find and just taking my aggressions out on the piece of shyt.

Richard

 

[88 XLT Ranger]

Stuck need help and pissed off "Front Axle u-joint"

Hey guys

My truck is an 88 4x4 I got my spindle off and axle out I cant get the u-joint out of the axle. I tried pressing it out taping it from back of caps nothing is working. I am pissed the spindle was hard enough to get off. How can I get this apart? all clips are out

 

[adsm08]

I usually get a socket that is just smaller than the cap and one that the cap will fit into, and that will ride on the ear and try pressing them with a vice.

I've only run into one that I couldn't get out that way (actually cracked the base of the vice) and just took it down to a local shop that had a hydraulic press. If all else fails, 15,000 lb press always wins.

 

[88 XLT Ranger]

I usually get a socket that is just smaller than the cap and one that the cap will fit into, and that will ride on the ear and try pressing them with a vice.

I've only run into one that I couldn't get out that way (actually cracked the base of the vice) and just took it down to a local shop that had a hydraulic press. If all else fails, 15,000 lb press always wins.

That is what I did but worried of bending the axle as the u-joint gets tight I have a big Snap On vice. I will try it again with long pipe on the handle for more pressure

 

[Ranger44]

Get the C-clips out from the back side. They are hard to see when there is rust built up on everything. Then invest in a u-joint/ball joint press.

Get on it with this and smack the yoke with a hammer to distort it, and voila!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Get the C-clips out from the back side. They are hard to see when there is rust built up on everything. Then invest in a u-joint/ball joint press.

Get on it with this and smack the yoke with a hammer to distort it, and voila!

Yea, smack the end of the yoke/ear that the end cap resides in.
And the ball joint press is a good investment.

Richard

 

[alaskan155]

like they said if the truck itself is real rusty i would try soaking it in some pb blaster or liquid wrench , but a remove c-clips, a socket under it bigger than a u-joint and another one ontop small than the u-joint and a bfh(big f... hammer, not a nail hammer, but a good heavy duty hammer and a couple smacks and the u-joint should just pop out

 

[88 XLT Ranger]

ive had good luck using a set of cold chisels to remove the spindle. i start out with the smallest one and work around the flange/ knuckle area and once i can fit the small one all the way around i move to the next larger chisel and work my way around. ive used this method in the junkyard mulitiple times and it has always worked well for me. just make sure to tape a towel around the exposed spindle and threads so if you miss the chisel you wont ruin it.

Thank You!!!

The chisel idea worked the slide hammer tool dident work no mater how much you do it. I got it off thanks to your help that I appreciate very much

 

[88 XLT Ranger]

Thanks Guys

I got the u-joint out with a big vice like (adsm08) did. I had to use one of the 6 foot box tubing legs off my engine puller on the vice handle it took a lot of force than "Bang" it popped enough to remove the cap. Once I removed one cap I had to push it though the other way to remove the other cap. I got it apart thank you all for your help

 

[AllanD]

And people think I'm weird for owning TWO OTC "Silver slapper" slide hammers....

One of which "lives" in the toolbin in my truck and has the spindle puller pretty much permenantly attached to it.

I've seen grown men openly crying in the junkyard trying to get rusted spindles off and that tool make the job of removing spindles effortless...

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