Hi All,

Quick question, I need to replace the ball joints on the driver side. When I did the passenger side I remember taking the axle nut off, I may have replaced the u joint too but I don't remember.

Upon some quick refresher videos it appears I may not have to take that nut off and just remove the 3 bearing nuts and remove the axle and bearing as one.

Is this correct?

Thanks,
Patrick

 

I prefer to leave the axle in the housing..... less likely to disturb the seal in there, and the drivers side seal is a real drag to change.

 

It can be done that way, but given the age of the truck, you should also plan on replacing the inner axle seal, which isn't too bad to do if you have a decent puck for aligning/installing the new seal, along with some threaded rod, washers, nuts and a piece of plate steel or wood. There was a member on here that made up some seal installation pucks that he made on a 3D printer.

 

The passenger side isn't too bad, the drivers side requires almost complete disassembly of the axle....... gotta pull the carrier out to get at that seal.

 

Oops, sorry, I was thinking the other side.