- Dec 10, 2011
- 285
Hey there guys, I been wanting to do my front u-joint for a while now but information on how to do it was limited.
I decided the way to get it done was by myself. Went out today and bought a ball joint kit from Princessauto for 40 + taxes.
Material list:
U-joint: I used precision/moog 445
C-clamp (see pic)
11mm socket
15mm socket
Extensions: regular, wobble
Impact gun (optional)
Prybar
Time: depending, took me 1 hr with a corded and cordless impact.
Jack up vehicle both front and rear. Take necessary precautions:
I drove up on some ramps then jacked the rear up to be level with the front:
Next get under the vehicle and locate the front u-joint. Remove the steering gear cross member (10 15mm bolts total).
With an electric impact and some wobble extensions. It was fast.
3 bolts and then 2 underneath per side. Once removed remove the cross member:
Next removed the u-joint straps. (4) 11mm bolts. Again with an electric impact is was quick. If you are using a ratchet, then you have to find a way to prevent the driveshaft from spinning while removing the bolts.
When the 4 bolts and straps are removed, angle the driveshaft toward the ground.
Have a prybar handy to separate the driveshaft from the transfer case:
Take the driveshaft and move to an open area to work.
No pics but lots of vid on youtube on how do u-joints.
Remove 2 retaining clips from u-joint.
Take c-clamp and drive out 1 side of the joint. Electric impact does this quickly. Remove cap.
Flip c-clamp and do other side .
Remove old joint.
Take new joint and remove 2 caps.
Position new joint between "ears" and tap in caps on both side.
Now drive the caps in 1 at a time with the clamp till there is enough room to put the retaining clips in.
Flip and do other side.
Now take the driveshaft and slide it back into the transfer case.
Position the u-joint to the yoke and attach the brackets with the (4) 11mm bolts. Make sure everything seats properly before tigheting in a cross pattern.
manual specifies 15 ft lb for the u-joint straps and 37 ft lb for the steering gear cross member bolts.
Replace cross member and tighten up bolts.
Now your done and have saved money.
Hopefully this helps somebody out.
I decided the way to get it done was by myself. Went out today and bought a ball joint kit from Princessauto for 40 + taxes.
Material list:
U-joint: I used precision/moog 445
C-clamp (see pic)
11mm socket
15mm socket
Extensions: regular, wobble
Impact gun (optional)
Prybar
Time: depending, took me 1 hr with a corded and cordless impact.
Jack up vehicle both front and rear. Take necessary precautions:
I drove up on some ramps then jacked the rear up to be level with the front:
Next get under the vehicle and locate the front u-joint. Remove the steering gear cross member (10 15mm bolts total).
With an electric impact and some wobble extensions. It was fast.
3 bolts and then 2 underneath per side. Once removed remove the cross member:
Next removed the u-joint straps. (4) 11mm bolts. Again with an electric impact is was quick. If you are using a ratchet, then you have to find a way to prevent the driveshaft from spinning while removing the bolts.
When the 4 bolts and straps are removed, angle the driveshaft toward the ground.
Have a prybar handy to separate the driveshaft from the transfer case:
Take the driveshaft and move to an open area to work.
No pics but lots of vid on youtube on how do u-joints.
Remove 2 retaining clips from u-joint.
Take c-clamp and drive out 1 side of the joint. Electric impact does this quickly. Remove cap.
Flip c-clamp and do other side .
Remove old joint.
Take new joint and remove 2 caps.
Position new joint between "ears" and tap in caps on both side.
Now drive the caps in 1 at a time with the clamp till there is enough room to put the retaining clips in.
Flip and do other side.
Now take the driveshaft and slide it back into the transfer case.
Position the u-joint to the yoke and attach the brackets with the (4) 11mm bolts. Make sure everything seats properly before tigheting in a cross pattern.
manual specifies 15 ft lb for the u-joint straps and 37 ft lb for the steering gear cross member bolts.
Replace cross member and tighten up bolts.
Now your done and have saved money.
Hopefully this helps somebody out.
