1995 Ram 1500 Spindle U Joint

[walterc]

Hi all:

First time on this site. Looks like the right place and a place I will be back to quite often.

Now the problem at hand.

My son in law has a 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 (I'm a Chevy guy myself) and he is concerned with the passenger side u joint on the front spindle. He says he replaced the drivers side (or rather had it replaced at around $250) a couple of years ago, and was wondering if I could help him replace the other side over the long 4th of July weekend. Apparently the oem didn't have a grease fitting so they are prone to wear.

So, in looking underneath, I see a hub attached to a knucle(?) with 4 bolts. He talked to a friend that told him he just needs to take off the brake caliper, remove the 4 bolts and the whole thing slides out.

First question, is it really that easy?
Second, are there any possilbe traps to watch for?
Third, is it easier to just have a machine shop change the u joint on the shaft or just do it myself with a socket and hammer?

Thanks all.

[75K30]

Welcome to the site.
All things considered, 250 bucks was not too bad if they supplied the u-joint. Matter of fact, even if they did not supply it, that still is not too bad.
The reason the axle shaft u-joints do not have provisions for a grease fitting, is because the hole for the fittings, and the hollow center makes the u-joint plenty weak, and non-serviceable units are stronger. Giant catch 22 here.
At any rate, once the hub, and entire rotating assembly is removed, you can then remove the splindle, and after the removal of the slindle, you can remove the axle shafts. this truck has a two piece axle, you will have to also remove the actuator found on the axle tube itself, and disconnect the axle shaft from the coupler.
Then the axale shaft will slie out. Actually it will slide out without this step, but it will not go back together, so you might as well open it up now,
Once apart, you can remove the axle assembly, and R/R the u-joint.
I never recommend the BFH method, becasue it is too easy to strike and damage the ears on the axles. Some sort of press is a very desireable method, and most chain parts stores offer these as a free rental, under the loan a tool program.
This will really prevent damage to the ears, and mounting surfaces of the two axle shafts.
The rest is regular old assembly.
The proper book will be a good idea, and this is not such a difficult job that it cant be done at home. With few specialty tools this can be a pretty easy procedure.

[jimbo543]

before you disassemble the right side start truck and put in 4 wheel drive, you won't have to remove the actuator, axle will slide back in housing/actuator when done.

[walterc]

Thanks guys, that helps alot.