Front axle. Theres play on the axle side?

[Duanesz]

I had my front wheel off today and greasing the ball joints and just looking around. Well on the passenger side there is alot of play on the axle when I would lift up with a screwdriver on the U-joint the axle would move up and down like an 1/8" or better. There is movement on the hub side too. When I compare it to the drivers side there is a big difference.

Has anyone had there front axle rebuilt? What is this going to cost? I would not mind doing it but I have never messed with the ring and pinion. I have had the axles out of my nova but never a dana.

[NoRalPh]

Your truck, Brand New, had that much play in it!

Nothing to worry about, the reason there's more play on the passenger side is that the axle is Much longer and so flexes more

There is no support at the end of the axle tube, just a half-asssed dust seal....

[Duanesz]

Is there a bearing on the end of the axle?

[Duanesz]

I just looked at the dana 60 breakdown. Looks like there is not a bearing at the end of the axle. It only has a bearing by the carrier and then goes to the u-joint then the hub bearings take over the load.

So now I see that the axle on passenger side is longer so you would have more flex there.

Thanks
Duane

[Ford_truck09]

are there any right ups on how to change the front axle u-joints. i have to do that this week any help would be great

[Zaairman]

Little bit of play (1/16") is ok. More than that is no good. Try putting new needle bearings in your wheel bearing assembly. Passenger side is always the first one to go.

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by Ford_truck09

are there any right ups on how to change the front axle u-joints. i have to do that this week any help would be great

This ball joint thread pretty much covers it -> Ford Super Duty Ball Joint Replacement Procedure | Superdutypsd.com

Once you get the axle out, forget all the Ball Joint stuff in it, you just beat the joint out (check for clips first) with a hand sledge.

Originally Posted by Zaairman

Little bit of play (1/16") is ok. More than that is no good. Try putting new needle bearings in your wheel bearing assembly. Passenger side is always the first one to go.

A 1/16th??? Never saw one that tight, you're saying 1/32nd Up & Down? We must be talking about two different places....

Put a bar between the U-Joint and the Ball Joint and lift They move a Lot when Brand New there just flexing the axle.

[Ford_truck09]

thanks guys my u joints in there is shot, cap is gone, it moves like a 1/2''! i can hear it running down the road.

[dereku]

Almost all of these trucks have play but excessive play probably means the u joint or hub is shot. So they need replaced. And remember dont cheap out on the hub otherwise you will be doing it again very soon.

Or get a freewheel kit like I got. Best $1650 I ever spent.

New ford hubs are $400 a piece, plus the kit I got has aluminum hubs saved about 10 lbs a side in rolling weight.

Check out PMF for the kit.