I've got a '99 Ram 4x4 and Im hearing that clicky / clank sound again from my front drivers wheel while I drive straight. Weird how that sound goes away while Im turning the wheels. I had this same issue 2 yrs ago and the drivers side front u-joint was bad. Luckily a kid that worked with me knew how to replace those and did the job for me in about 3 hours. I'm assuming that the sound Im hearing again is the same issue. The kid no longer works with me and now Im wondering how hard of a job it would be to replace this myself. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and do my own shock replacement and brakes and such but never tackled this type of job before. Or am I better off takign the truck in to a mechanic and letting them do it?

Can anyone give me some tips on what Im going to need to replace this myself? Will the ball joints need to be removed in order to get the front shaft out? What are some do's or dont;'s in this situation. Im looking to get this fixed soon as it is getting a little louder now.

thanx in advance.

 

My freind done mine 2 weeks ago Its not that bad of a job. My biggest problem was the nut on the front axle it was a 1"-11/16 nut and we did not have a socket. My other freind he has a 98 also it had a diffrent size nut on his. Also when you go to knock the old joint out you need something the same size as the cap. We also had to take a cover off up by the pumpkin on the axle so you will want some sort of silicone for the gasket to go back. Try not to beat up the yokes would be great if you can press the old caps out. This also helps a little be fore installing the new joint take some fine sand paper and sand the inside of the yokes and apply a thin film of grease. Hope this helps.

 

Study this: http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/hub.php

 

The Dealer did both of mine.