my front driver side u joint is shot ( i can wiggle it and it makes clicking noise when i back up )

my question is is there a C clip holding the axle or can I just pull it without draining the diff?

and i know i would have to press out the U Joint but i dont have a Hyd press.. can it be done another way?

and the last question do they have complete rebuild axle at local autopart stores so i can just buy a new axle and not have to press out the ujoints?

 

take off your tire, remove brake caliper, remove wheel hub, pull shaft, replace u joint, and put all back together, its reallly easy!! it takes like 6 bolts u have to take out

 

what about pressing the old ujoint out? do u have to have a hydrolic press? or can it be done with a vice?

 

Vise and two sockets or ujoint tool/press

 

i just use a BFH. dont forget to take the c clips out.

 

I tried using a BFH, but with the age of the vehicle and rust, it was just not happening. The rust was so bad the c-clips were one with the u-joint. My luck, and all that hammering, all it did was bend the crap out of the yoke.
What works good is renting the ball joint press from somewhere like orielly's. Use a torch to heat it all up beforehand if you have a lot of corrosion. While the ball joint press is on there and you are turning adding pressure, tap on the yoke with a hammer at the same time and it will pop right out.