I'm in the process of changing the ujoints on the front axle and I have run into a snag. I don't know how this part comes off. I took off the two nuts and I thought it would just slide down, but it doesn't. I don't want to hammer without asking if it is okay. This is the last piece before I can get the axle out. Should I hammer?

[IMG]local://upfiles/70947/5030EC5631E7496EAA27041E5986FAC5.jpg[/IMG]


Here are some more pics. It is the part that I have my hand on. It appears that the bolts turn with the knuckle. I don't know what to do.

 

if you have gotten the ball joints off, and everything else off, but you cannot get the bearing out, there is a trick. . .put the knuckle back onto the ball joints, then use a long stiff bar and brace it agains one side of the nuckle to the frame, then use the trucks power steering to knock it off.

 

I got the bearing off, but I can't get the knuckle that is held on by two bolts off. It looks like it should slide down off of the bolts. The piece I am talking about is the only thing holding the ujoint from being able to slide out.

 

that is tha steering knuckle. there are two large nuts on the ball joints take the cotter pins out loosen the nuts and use a ball joint fork to seperate the knuckle from the joints. the ball joint stud is tapered and it is a very tight fit. you can also get them loose by hitting the knuckle where the ball joint goes into it but sometimesthey don't want to come apart.

 

I removed the nuts already, but there were not cotter pins. These were the only nuts I could see.

 

leave the nuts on a little so you wont hit the threads or drop the knuckle on the floor and hit it where the ball joints go into the knuckle, don't kill it keep hitting it and it will work loose

 

I'll try. Thanks.

 

04QB4X4

ON MY 03, THE SHOP THAT CHANGED MY AXLE SHAFT JOINT DIDNT TAKE ANY OF KNUCKLE OFF AT ALL. THAT AXLE SHAFT SHOULD SLIDE RIGHT OUT AND THROUGH THAT STEERING KNUCKLE. I KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT WONT, BUT IT DOES FIT. AT LEAST ON MY 03 IT DOES, UNLESS THEY CHANGED SOMETHING. HOPE ALL GOES WELL, LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY MORE HELP. ANDREW

 

Just wanted to know if you got the truck fixed and back together.

 

Thanks. You are right. You don't have to take the knuckles off. At first glance it looks as if you would, but the axle shaft will slide out.

I'm waiting right now for the u joints to be pressed out at a driveline shop. Should be done tomorrow and hopefully back together tomorrow night. I'll let you know.

Its funny that you asked because I just started a thread with an update.