My outer u-joint on the passenger side is clicking bad. Local shop said $400 to do this. Is there any special tools I need to get the hub off and do this job? Any info would help a ton. 96 Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab 4x4, 5.9. Thanks, Bill

 

Geezus, $400!!! Is it hand crafted 24k gold?? We charge between $150-$250 for both frt. u-joints, depends on what brand the customer wants.

#1 - Go somewhere else for another estimate or just call around. Although they may be quoting you a hub too...they're a bitch to remove...I've done plenty of u-joints on these, only damaged 1 hub beyond reuse in 11 years of professional service...that was when beating the snot out of the rear bolts wouldn't budge the hub, had to air chisel it out...giant chunk flew off after 5 straight mins. of air hammer.

#2 Buy a u-joint press, several cans of PB Blaster, something to mark the shaft and yoke for reassembly, 32oz. dead blow to beat the hub bolts to remove the hub, screwdriver to remove the u-joint clips...a bench vise wouldn't hurt to hold the axle while doing this...oh, and some beer if of legal drinking age and your sense of humor when the hub looks up at you, mocking your attempt to remove it.

Without being there, it may not be that rusty or that bad to do...but my experiences tell me the majority are a s.o.b.

 

Here's a write-up for the process: http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/hub.php

Read through it and see if it's something you think you could do. You don't technically need a press to do the u-joints, but it's a LOT easier with one

 

Man you guys are good. That was what I was looking for.

 

you should probly look to see were you can buy an axle nut because i can almost bet money your gonna ruin the one on it other than that its not that hard for a drive way mech. you might have 3 hours in it

 

Yeah, teaching someone how to hammer out u-joints on a bench vise over the internet isn't too easy :P
I rarely use my press for them, so much quicker with good ol' B.F.H. (Big Freakin Hammer). I actually think it's much easier hammering them out...kinda helps when you've got an 8 foot bench with a swivel vise to throw that driveshaft on I guess.

 

Yeah, it's definitely not the easiest thing to teach [8D] I didn't use a press when I did mine last summer...just a vise and hammer. My dad used the press at work a few years back though when she changed EVERY u-joint on my Ramcharger. That would've been a lot of hammering otherwise [8D] Plus they were rusty bastards... [>:]

 

I use a bal joint press on mine

 

I got the U joints out and new ones in but I can't get the clips in on one side...any tips of spreading the knuckle?????

 

you shouldnt have to see if the other side will move over enough to get the clip on.