how would you go about this???

[cj5walt]

How would you do this....

I am going up to west jefferson next month to work on my dads early 80's fullsize chevy 4wd. It needs new u joints in front axles. So i know at minimum i will have to also replace the ball joints at the same time. My delima is should i take just u-joints for it or find a set of used axles with good joints in them to take up and replace the whole things? The reason i'm considering this is the u-joints are so far gone that they were clicking and clunking last winter when he last used 4wd and he had to use it very often in this condition. Btw this truck also used to be used as a plow truck in WV so you can imagine the corosion issues it has. i will also have to do all of the work with hand tools. Any addvice will be welcome

 

[NickMaul]

def soak that puppy with pblaster. and all you have is hand tools? might need some air powered or battery powered tools. it took a lot of muscle and a battle with air powered tools just to unbolt my front bumper off my 88 suburban, and it wasnt even rusty

 

[cj5walt]

yepp two or three days befor i'm going to have him soak everything down with pb blaster everytime he goes by it

 

[strange1]

edit....i think i only have good inners. i will look.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

get a good breaker bar and long piece of pipe... you can put as much force as an impact with this, but be carefull not to break the bolts... if the joints are that far gone, they might be easy to change... id take a vice or small press if you have one to press them in/out...

 

[cj5walt]

good idea on the vice, i belive he has one. i just have no access to use my air tools at his place. i guess my biggest concern would be is the posibility of damaging the shafts enough to make bringing a set of shafts with good joints a better idea than just replacing the joints

 

[up-n-over]

Pull the axle asssemblies and take them to Fleet Pride. They will change the joints for cheap, and it is worth every penny.

 

[mmcj7]

I have used a large C-clamp if I couldn't get to a press to put the u-joints back in place. Soaking the crap out of it everytime you pass it is good advice to. I would plan for the worst and hope for the best as far as breaking bolts and tools.

 

[GrnRanger]

So i know at minimum i will have to also replace the ball joints at the same time.

this just for good measure? correct me if i'm wrong, but these will need to be pressed in as well. and if you can get an AZ loan-a-tool for the BJs that will take care of the u-joints also

 

[cj5walt]

Pull the axle asssemblies and take them to Fleet Pride. They will change the joints for cheap, and it is worth every penny.

that would be great but there isnt a Fleetpride in west jefferson and the only shops han can do it are closed on the weekends and i have to do this on over a weekend

 

[cj5walt]

this just for good measure? correct me if i'm wrong, but these will need to be pressed in as well. and if you can get an AZ loan-a-tool for the BJs that will take care of the u-joints also

well having to pull the knuckles i figure i will at least tear the dust boots off in the process plus as far as he can tell they are original to the truck and probably wore out

 

[BIGWOODY]

You don't have to pull the knuckles to remove the shafts and replace the joints. If you damage the shafts by trying to remove the u-joints you're one bad, heavy hitting ,mofo with a hammer.

 

[upnover]

No reason to replace the ball joints unless they absolutely are showing wear as in loose and play when you try moving them by hand(jacked up with tire still on it.) You don't have to remove the knuckles to replace the U-joints. If they are that worn, then from my experience they will be easy to take out. Remove clips, BFH and they are out. re-installing them is a little more tricky, but have done many on the trail with nothing more than a socket and a hammer. Just be careful not to let any of the needles drop down inside the cup.
Take a grease gun with you too.

 

[GubNi]

Buy a harbor frieght ball joint press. Makes it so much easier.

 

[cj5walt]

You don't have to pull the knuckles to remove the shafts and replace the joints. If you damage the shafts by trying to remove the u-joints you're one bad, heavy hitting ,mofo with a hammer.

No reason to replace the ball joints unless they absolutely are showing wear as in loose and play when you try moving them by hand(jacked up with tire still on it.) You don't have to remove the knuckles to replace the U-joints. If they are that worn, then from my experience they will be easy to take out. Remove clips, BFH and they are out. re-installing them is a little more tricky, but have done many on the trail with nothing more than a socket and a hammer. Just be careful not to let any of the needles drop down inside the cup.
Take a grease gun with you too.

okay, i was thinking i had to pull the knuckles to do it, this puts my mind at ease on the job. this is my first time doing this job. btw im a deisil tech so i have the BFH covered .
my dad gave me a pick-up (build thread coming soon) he wanted rid of so im changing these joints and doing a couple odd-an-end things on his work truck to say thanks

 

[rebel4x469]

when i took my 60 apart, i could not get the spindles off. i tried doing it without hurting the surface for bearings but they would not come off. i had to beat them like crazy to even get them off and it ruined it so i had to buy new ones. i dont know much on your axle but if its really rusted you could run into sisiliar problem. i paid to have my joints pressed in (have a press now) $20 each.