Ok well its that time of year for me the front u joints need changing before the snow hits, does anyone have any tricks that make the front joints an easy service? If possible I'd like to avoid pulling the whole front end apart to do it, is that an option or do I need to pull the knuckle off and pull the axles out? Help is appreciated no rush as I plan on doing this next week on my day off

 

Get ready to not have fun. Are you doing the wheel ujoints or the driveshaft?

 

The wheel for now, drive shaft will be later

 

Spray all the bolts with pb blaster. It'll make things easier.

 

Pb blaster is a given, I soak everything with it at least 30 minutes before I attempt to crack the bolts

 

I did it every day for a few days. It may have the factory twelve point bolts that need removed. Be careful to not strip them. You might have to weld a socket to them. Just pop it with a mig welder. Also, instead of having to pull the axle out on your own, use the power steeringpump . Use a 3/8 extension and turn the wheel. It'll pop it loose alot easier.

 

I didn't see any 12pt bolts at the wheels

 

They are on the back side of the hub

 

Replace the hubs as well, good idea or bad?

 

Very good idea, you have to remove hubs to get to ujoints anyways, and that axle nut is a PITA!

 

If you replace the hubs be sure to use tomken brand. A little more pricey, but they last much longer. I don't think you have to go as far as the knuckle to remove the axle u joints.. they should be accessible after the hub assembly IIRC.

 

Seconded. Timken bearings in the hub is what you want to look for. The cheapie chinese hubs, you'll be doing them again before your wrenches cool off.

 

What about the moog brand wheel hubs? Not exactly cheap brand and they got a decent warranty if anything, just wondering since my job doesn't sell timken bearings wanted to do one stop shopping

 

to do the axle u joints I leave the hubs attached, pull the hubs with axles complete, you don't have to retorque the center nut that way and many people don't have a large socket. Change the joints, greats, cleanup the hub recess and od of the hub real good, apply antiseize and reinstall full axle and hub as an assembly. While it's apart, if your hub feels rough in rotation it needs replace. I also vote for timken bearing, skf also a good choice. Don't go cheap on hubs, not worth your time and cheap you will have to do again soon.
Ive got over three years, all conditions, 278000km and still goin on good set of hubs.
I'm not pleased with moog parts in recent years, they are subcontracting to lesser quality companies and I'm seeing it in the parts. With bearings I'd go top brand.
Moog still works for me on control arms, ball joints, rod ends. For universals i've found over twice the life using Precision brand over delco and even over spicer. Always go for the greasable universal. good luck

 

I knew I didn't need to pull that nut off, now I gotta convince my dad lol