Looking for help pressing out a u-joint

[laffycaffi]

I'm probably premature in this request in that I have not even started diving into this project and I'm an amateur mechanic, so I don't know EXACTLY what I need to do to replace my driver-side front u-joint. But I'm pretty sure it's going and from what I've learned so far, is that I'm going to need to press out my old u-joint and then repress.

This is something I'm not really confident that I could do myself. So I guess I'm wondering if anyone might be willing to help or recommend a place who could do it?

Thanks!

[Justin]

I've got a press and am happy to help. I'm in lakewood.

[DanHall]

Where are you located? I've got a press too, down in Pueblo.

[Colorado75bronc]

No need for a press, just a vice and a hammer and a socket slightly smaller than the cap


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[DanHall]

Thats how I lost my last thumb nail. Pretty sure I made up some new curse words that day as well.

Really though, that is right, you can do it with a hammer and a couple of sockets. Pretty easy job.

[laffycaffi]

Hey Justin - would love to take you up on that. I'm in Littleton. Thanks to everyone for the tips and offers! I'll PM you Justin - want to know what your schedule is like. Thanks! Mark

[Colorado75bronc]

I recommend against using a press as I have seen many people bend the ears on a driveshaft or axle shaft. A press is overkill for the job. Thats the reason I chimed in.


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[Justin]

PMed ya back. I can teach you both the easy way with a press and the marginally less easy way with a vice, hammer and socket so that you know how to do it. If nothing else you should know the basic way so you can change one in the field.

[Eck]

Agree with Justin. As long as you do it right, both are effective but the press is much easier.

[Dirtheadz]

x2 on the BFH!

[laffycaffi]

I just had it looked at, and apparently the u-joints are fine and now I'm stuck wondering where the clanking sound is coming from.. Any ideas? It's there when coasting. Not when accellerating, not when braking. Hope I can figure this out!

[Justin]

Does it change in speed, pitch or volume when the truck changes speed?

[laffycaffi]

Does it change in speed, pitch or volume when the truck changes speed?

Yes, as it goes faster, so does the clanking.

[Justin]

Where does it sounds like it is coming from?

[ZOSO]

is it when you hit a bump? hubs locked in? one very overlooked area that causes people to search and search is the spindle bearings.

[laffycaffi]

Where does it sounds like it is coming from?

It sounds like it's coming from the front right axle ujoint. But like I said, I had this looked at, at the local garage and they said the ujoints look good and tight and they thought it might be coming from the transfer case.

[laffycaffi]

is it when you hit a bump? hubs locked in? one very overlooked area that causes people to search and search is the spindle bearings.

Hitting bumps don't seem to affect. However I did look at my hubs and they were locked! I unlocked them but no change.

[akaFrankCastle]

It could be there is no change because the spindle bearings are already done.

[laffycaffi]

It could be there is no change because the spindle bearings are already done.

Bear with me on the rookie questions:
1. If this is the case, is it simply a matter of replacing the spindle bearings? Or does worn out bearings affect other parts that might also be damaged?
2. Is there any way to diagnose before buying new parts?

[Colorado75bronc]

You could run it in the air on four jack stands, around with a stethoscope on the front end and listen for the loudest noise, if it were in the spindle bearings it would be loudest at the back of the knuckle. If it is the spindle bearings you might get lucky and only need bearings, but there is a possibility of you also needing the outer axle stub shafts

[Colorado75bronc]

If you do this have someone else in the vehicle to stop it immediately if the stands shift or anything seems out of place