So in Texas we go from 26 degrees and worst ice storm in a long time, and this weekend 70 and not a cloud in the sky, all the oak cut up and Sunday back to Jeep work.
I’ve got a creak on my drivers side, and the only thing I can guess is possible axle U Joint. I’ve never done it, so I wanted to do that if I’m on the trail I can with a hammer.
I used the vice and anvil side of the vice to get it pulled.
I’ve read up and watched the videos of using a ball joint press, and saw the warning from Blaine that it would end up bending the ears, and I’m not interested in that.
I was a little shocked that the air impact didn’t get the axle nut, but got my daughter on the brake and added leverage to the breaker bar and it came off super easy.
This is a good video for axle U Joints.
This one as well, still using the BFH (big f’n hammer).
I did not need a socket, not against using one, but literally didn’t need a socket. I did what the first video showed, and it was out in a couple strikes to the axle. Needle bearings everywhere. (Old ones)
1. Hit a cap head hard, releasing the pressure on the Inside Ring C-Clip.
2. remove the C Clip
3. Repeat all 4.
4. With all C Clips out, then you set the ears of the stub on an edge, and you hit the axle very hard on that large ear surface.
3. It took 2 full hits, and the cap came out by hand, not forcing it off at all.
4. The hit to the ear flat force drives the cap outward.
The key is swing the hammer like you mean it. I have a small sledge, and if you do what the first video says, exactly, and it can be on a curb or rock. The vice made it very easy.
As suspected, the u joint seemed good. I still wanted to do the job, as I haven’t before. I put in the Spicer 5-760x which is the best to use, from what I’ve read, and my experience with Spicer quality.
When doing this, you’ll see the 5-760x (ISR) I’m making an assumption that’s means InSide Ring. The C Clip fits in a groove inside the sleeve, not on the outside in the cap. The cap has a slot and you hammer it into the hole until it’s there, and put on the C Clip. If your ears aren’t mis shapen or bent, they literally push on, it’s not that difficult. Then I tested, and yes the clip spin freely.
I don’t want that, so I did what I did when I removed the U Joints.
Got it back together, it’s actually very simple.
1. Don’t forget the dust shield
2. Use a pry or something on the shaft to hold it up in the tube, so it doesn’t hit the inner seal and blow it up.
3. 13mm 12 point into the unit bearing, and blue loctite. This is 75 foot pounds and one of them I can’t get the torque on, so we feel it.
4. 13mm standard 6 point socket for the caliper, and blue loctite. The caliper bolts are 11 foot pounds, I use a normal 3/8 and tight it tight.
5. axle nut is easy at 175 foot pounds when I’m well over that, just lean on it, ha.
Oh, and daughter on the brake pedal, no issue at all.
I went ahead and did the self Toe In, and with 35’s I go to 3/16 toe in, and it drove great.
I still have some strange sound, the U Joint is something I’m pretty comfortable with as long as I have my hammer and a hard surface edge.