can i reuse a u-joint?

[mikeandmary]

so this might be a dumb question, but can i reuse a ujoint once pressed out? i'm quickly getting an education in front hub/axle repair, thanks to the wealth of info here, and thanks to my hub assy. locking up and destroying the stub axle.

so i've got to replace the passenger stub axle along with a laundry list of other parts. the ball joints seem tight as can be and are moogs, so i'm assuming they were done already, or were the original ones moogs?. likewise i've got the axles out, and the u joints don't have a bit of play in them. they do make sort of a squishing sound when you work them, but seems like thats just the grease getting pushed around? the only ujoints ive messed with were in obvious need of replacement when i did them, so it was never a consideration to put them back.

I know, i know, just drop the $$$ and know they are good right, but after hub assys, axle stubs, lockouts, and so on, the wallet's getting pretty thin, and after tearing into this truck, i've realized i have 2 more trucks that need the same procedures once i can get this one on the road.

Whats the service life on one of these? truck has 125k and purchased at 60, so i know they've got 65k on them, maybe all 125? maybe thats enough reason to go ahead and switch them? like i said though, not a bit of play in them.

2001 f350 7.3 w/ manual hubs fyi

advice appreciated!

[SuperCrutyPS]

This is my opinion.

You stated, "I know, i know, just drop the $$$ and know they are good right, but after hub assys, axle stubs, lockouts, and so on, the wallet's getting pretty thin"

I do get where you're coming from. Saving $$ is saving $$. OTOH, I would consider it some insurance to go ahead and replace them. I mean, you're already tearing the whole thing apart. You might as well do it now while it's apart rather than having to tear it down again in the future (how ever long they last) to change them.

[NoRalPh]

Sure you can if you're careful, but, why would you? They're not expensive and the new ones you put in will have grease fitting in them (hopefully) so they're a Much better way to go.

Plus, why put a 1/2 used U-Joint behind the Knuckle Seal (that actually costs More than the U-Joint does) and end-up destroying that seal going back in to replace the U-Joint when it Does go bad....