Axle U-Joint and Ball Bearings

Front Axle U-Joint and Balljoint

How hard is it to replace these and does anyone have a write up on how to do it? Any idea how long it will take? How difficult is it? My Haynes doesn't tell how to do it. It just says a special tool is required and to take it to a shop. I believe I can rent this tool from NAPA and do this. Thanks

You want to check the tech article on http://www.madxj.com it's titled: Installing (Adjustable) Ball Joints

I used this info to do mine. Even though I didn't put in adjustable ball joints the procedure is the same. Just borrow the balljoint press and have a good breaker bar handy, you'll need it, they are pressed in there but good!

As for the u-joints, this article here helped me out: http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/axle/ujoint/

It's really not too hard to do. I don't know how long it will take you because mine was a combination of new axle seals, axle u-joints, ball joints, trac-bar, and tie rod end (took me a weekend for all, plus it was raining on and off). I decided that once I had everything ripped apart I might as well do it all. I took time out to thoroughly clean and repaint my axle shafts and such while I was at it so it took me a bit longer.

BTW, I used NAPA's u-joints NUJ365. After seeing the really "el-cheapo" ones from AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts made by Brute Force I opted for the more expensive but well made NAPA branded ones. If you go and compare the u-joints like I did you'll see the difference in quality. The NAPA's matched thickness to the OEM ones I was replacing. The BruteForce ones were really thin in the middle and built up only at the rollers.

Mark