U-joint stucks need to be replaced

[X-North]

Hi
I have a desesperate need to replave my external U-joints on my Explorer 1992 because they make a clunking noise due to the too much miles they have. I'm talking about the U-joint that plug the shaft that pass in the center of the hub and plus to the other half of shaft. They are stuck there in the rust and im stuck in cold weather so i dont want to take off all the differential. Is it possible to cut the front U-joint with a cutting grinder to replace the U-joints without removing anything else?

Thank you !

 

[X-North]

bump

 

[MountaineerGreen]

You'll have to remove the driveshaft to replace the u joints. Its the only way. Some PB blaster, a hammer, a vice and possibly a u joint press.

 

[RangerX]

They are stuck there in the rust and im stuck in cold weather so i dont want to take off all the differential. ?

You don't have to remove the differential to change the u joints. You do need to remove the hubs, rotors, and spindles, then pull out the axleshafts.

 

[X-North]

I have to remove the differential cover because on the Explorer the driveshaft are held inside the differential by C-clips. Its U joint not CV joint. Do some research an yu will see.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I think RangerX is well versed in a TTB, I'd trust his advice.

 

[X-North]

Thats what i meant Axleshafts are held in place by C-clips inside the front differential. I took a look in the Ford manual shops directly with a dealer mechanic.
Anyway forget it i will search somewhere else for help thank you anyway
happy new year

 

[RangerX]

You can do both outer joints without pulling the diff. The inner on the right side, yes, you will have to drop the diff to get the C clip that holds the inner axle on.
It's a very involved job to get that one U-joint. Are you capable?

 

[X-North]

I can do that but i wanted to know if someone ever cut the U-joint... normally we can do that easyly but the u joints retaining clips are stuck in rust and my kind of clips are not the clips you show on this website...dont know why but theres a kind of cap over the clips and those steel caps are rusted in plce i tried everything but they cant be removed....I will use the cutting wheel to cut the outer U-joint then

 

[Dre]

You will have to remove the inner axle shaft in order to replace that u-joint. Like with all the other u-joints you can replace them following simple instructions in either Chiltons or Haynes... you will need a bench and vise, pipe and big hammer...

there are no clips...

here's the entire write-up with pictures:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191429&highlight=u-joints

 

[hunsaket]

Don't need to pull the front diff.

You can do both outer joints without pulling the diff. The inner on the right side, yes, you will have to drop the diff to get the C clip that holds the inner axle on.
It's a very involved job to get that one U-joint. Are you capable?

I know that this is a bit late but if anyone else has to do this job you don't have to pull the diff to get the inner u-joint. I just did this the other day on mine. Just get a u-joint press from a parts store (you can rent them for free with a refundable deposit when you return it) put the front end on jack stands, pull the outer shaft then you get under there with a creeper (it may take a while) with a flat screw driver and a hammer rotate the joint so you can remove each c-clip. after the clips are removed you can get the press in there one way only. Rotate the joint to the way it needs to be pressed and repeat until the job is done. It worked for me with out having to pull the diff so hopefully it helps some one else.

 

[luckyman52577]

on the passeger side how do u get the outer shaft off to change the out side u-joint