Go to a pawn shop and look for tools there. If a shop can't do that job in two hr's there mech has a problem, he is useless as t**'s on a bull. Parts now about $30, if it blows could be major cost involved and more down time Park it.

 

In this case, the tools to fix it would be cheaper than the labor cost. and you would be able to keep the tools.....

 

That particular socket can be rather hard to find in a store sometimes. And he would still need the socket to reinstall, or else take it back to the shop.

The u-joints can be changed without removing the nut. Just remove the three spindle bolts and remove hub assembly and stub shaft as one unit. A bit more awkward changing the u-joints, but doable.

 

Agreed on this maneuver! If I remember right, the bolt heads are 12 point?

I recall seeing a picture (idk if here or elsewhere) where someone did it this way.

 

Yes they are twelve point bolts, pix yep I have pix of it being done this way. I find it ezer to change cross-joints this way.

A couple of pix to appease.

 

Good call on parking it. You will also run the risk of damaging the seal. And that will cost a lot more to fix.

 

LOLz Merc!! Good stuff!

 

excellent tip. i always forget this and tend to take things apart too much.

so - you can do this with nothing more than a jack, lug wrench, a 1/2 inch drive pull bar, 14mm 12-point socket (as opposed to 6), and a ball joint press rented from the parts store. plus... let see - a big metric to remove the caliper bracket. might be 17 or 19mm and a 5 gal bucket to put the caliper on or a piece of wire to hang it up with

 

Be careful when you put your shafts back in make sure you clean every thing out good so you don't screw your seals. Get a shop vac and vacuum the axle tubes out dirt in your dif isn't good and start soaking your wheel bearing in some penetrating fluid If you want to get then out without wrecking them

 

yes exactly what he said. you do not need the the big *** socket. just did mine a few weeks ago. searched 2 days to find that socket (sears) and never used it.
yes 12point socket. a basic tool set will fix you up. $25 in ujoint (average), watch seals when installing axles. easy fix, a lot easier than i thought.