I recently figured out that my front driver side axle shaft u-joint is the cause of the noise I have been hearing up front. Are bad u-joints something I can go a few more weeks driving on without fixing? What about using 4x4? Also if someone has replaced their u-joints is there a particular u-joint for the dana 30 you prefer? Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

You could probably let it go for a little while if you don't use 4wd since it's not under load, but I would get it replaced as soon as I could. If it starts to bind up it will start yanking the steering wheel when you try to turn and that's no fun.

 

^x2 As soon as possible! If it goes out completely it could take out the ears on your axle shafts and lock up the front causing all sorts of damage. ( OK that is a worse case, but it is possible. )

 

i knew mine was bad, the steering wheel would go back and forth when ya would turn,, replaced them both all is good now,, be prepared, there not easy to get out,, at least mine werent WHEEEEEW

 

ok this is with axle shaft u-joints. when im wheeling and in 4WD i hear a clicking up front and i can kinda feel it clicking too. would that be my u-joints?

 

just did axle joints and axle seals for 98plum crazy today. had to torch clips and heat axlejoints till red hot,also used ball joint press to remove. what a pain. ive done several sets on several makes of 4x4's. these were the worst and took the longest. hope urs arent that bad.

 

fix that now just had that happen to my truck ****ed my hub up and had to replace both it sucks

 

I just went to the local parts shop and they said they could only sell the whole left axle assembly and it would be $150. I figured out which size u-joint to buy though and bought that instead for $12. I am going to be installing it tomorrow at the base auto hobby shop and yea I hope it isn't too bad. They have a bearing press there, but no torch. Wish me luck! haha

 

Mine were also the hardest ive ever changed and the first set i ever tried to hammer out. That works so much better than pressing them, in my vise anyway. I sprayed them first and dimpled them with the ball end of the hammer, sat a socket on there the same size and hammered away. They came out with no heat, you just had to bring it when you hit the socket. Ive done several since this way and they have just fell out compared to pressing them in my vise. I did press them back together of course.