I've got an 08 CTD and the u-joints in the front axle are loose, was wondering the way to go about replacing them and what special tools if any would be needed. Also the truck has 85k on it and I dont use the 4 wheeldrive to often so is that normal for them to wear out so fast?

 

Yes it's very common for them to wear so fast. Without manual hubs the whole frond end turns at all times. The 4 bolts that hold the hub on are a pain in the rear and there are some tricks like using a socket and extension while using the power steering to break it loose. There is some good info on this site about it somewhere but I'm in a huge hurry right now so I can't look it up but someone will come along with a link for ya.

 

Just jack the front end up and block it, pull the tire and brake caliper off, take the axle nut off the hub which is a big nut and I cant remember off the top of my head what size it is, loosen the four 12 point bolts on the back side of the hub which are either a 15mm or a 9/16th ( This step may require turn the hub to get to the bolts easily). Take a pry bar to pry the hub out the spindle and the after the hub is out of the spindle and off the axle pull the axle out. And then to get the u joints out depending on condition and rust you may need to cut then out or use a press. Then install new u joint and do everything in reverse.

 

If only my hub came out so easy . The axle nut is 1 11/16 I believe.

 

Thanks for the info, I didn't figure it would be to difficult other than maybe some stubborn parts.

 

Yeah i thought it was somewhere close to that for the axle nut but i wasnt sure

 

just bought a 1 11/16" wrench and it is the correct size. thanks again.

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ok got the axles out, any suggestions on getting the u-joints out and the new ones back in?

 

You can either cut them out with a torch or use a press. And then going back in be careful you dont mess the needles up and you can just use a hammer to drive them together

 

After I pressed mine out I ran some emory cloth around the holes to clean the rust off, the new ones went in easy.

 

When you put it back together, use a ton of antiseize on the hub (most will squeeze out). saves the next change frome being a pain in the a@#.