01 front axles

[daveyburt]

ok, i could use a bit of knowledge...

my steering's been acting weird and I think i found the problem. at least one of my front ujoints is partially seized. I had it apart down to the steering knuckle and there is a wide and thin metal plate which the axle comes thru the nuckle....

#1 - are those u-joints replaceable or do I have to do the whole axle? the ujoints look welded into the axle ends but it could just be rust

#2 - If i replace the whole axle, do I need to take the steering knuckle off or does that thin metal plate come out allowing me to slide the axle through the steering nuckle?

If any techs would be so nice as to scan the repair manual pages for front axle replacement, i'd owe you one.

anyone ever done these before?

thanks!!
-d

[daveyburt]

[buzzmc]

I think you have found the problem. My truck steering started acting strange and I found
a seized u joint. Changed the u joint yesterday problem solved. That plate you are seeing
comes out the front with the axel and u joint, just pry on the back of the u joint and
it should all pop out. The u joint is replaceable $30.00. GOOD LUCK

[daveyburt]

Yea, i think i found the problem too...well, i got lazy on this one and brought it to a shop up the street. -too many other projects going on to squeeze this one in. I'm having them replace front driveshaft joints too. -after this, i have all new ujoints, front and back. hopefully this will be it for a while...i guess any profit i made from a side job is now spent. LOL

the axle joint was so seized that it ruined my 4wd hub on that side. the lifetime warranty on the hubs came in handy!

[cakreag]

Grease your hub needle bearing every 60,000 miles. I learned my lesson the hard way. I lost my front hub needle bearing and am having to replace the hub, outer axle, and u-joint. Ouch!

[daveyburt]

being done as we speak...thx! will do it regularly