How to change a universal joint in a 4 wheel drive front axle. ( f-250)

In this video we'll change a Universal joint in a 4 wheel drive front end. The vehicle we're working on is a 1996 f-250 with a dana 50 axle. Whats the point in owning a 4 wheel drive if the 4 wheel drive doesn't work?

[@jamesfinkbeiner7262]

Your camera work, story pacing and narration are SPOT ON. I predict "cheap wheels " will keep its junk on the road for a long time!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@annabennett1819]

It’s been 40 years of smiling and nodding my head... now I know what a u joint is!l Thank you!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad to have helped

[@vikingjoe93]

A C-clamp to repress the needle bearing in the yolk, my gosh I never thought of that!!! Awesome Dave!

[@philt5782]

Exactly. I've done a couple of these on other trucks and I never thought to do that. Have two hanging on the wall near the vice as well. lol

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@Farm_fab]

I used a bench vise to put my u joints back in, but a c-clamp would have been easier.

[@alanj7306]

That was a great tip. Always surprising how many things you can use a good c-clamp for.

[@michaelwilde2903]

Dud this was seriously the best video I've seen on KZbin. My front axle on my 87 f150 started leaking and they wanted 900 bucks at a shop to fix it. Long story short, this video saved me 900 bucks.

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

LOL ... "Way to go, 'last guy to do this job!' " Lots of great tips in this one, Dave! One of my takeaways is the box for collecting parts as I do a job. No sense in being the next guy's "Thanks a lot!" target :) See you over the next cup of coffee, friend. God Bless

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Dave

[@makapalatrace8385]

Never throw away any cardboard, for parts or absorbing liquids.

[@gbaughman3348]

Good narration! I like how you explain in detail without being boring.

[@cheapwheels9828]

I appreciate that!

[@twocents6363]

This was the best instructional I have ever seen. I was a teacher for 30 years and you did a magnificent job from start to finish. Hope you are continuing to put out these quality of videos.

[@jackienorton8274]

I love your closing, "Keep your Junk on the road". I m someone who used to do my own work, My dad was a mechanic. And told me, " I work on cars all week, I'm not working on cars when I get home. I'll tell you how to do it. But you're the one going to get YOUR hands dirty" And that was because my 63 Nova needed something done. I was 19, now 64. Thanks Dad in Heaven.

[@cheapwheels9828]

yup. I learned a lot from my dad too

[@deleteduser3749]

Videos like this are great. Takes the anxiety of ignorance out of the job before you're elbow deep and lost. Thank you sir.

[@rickyhazlerig9220]

Cheap wheels is great and so is bushradical. Best two channels on KZbin if you ask me. Thanks Dave and please keep it coming.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Ricky. Will do

[@glendacrouch1877]

Ok Dave, You are one multi talented dude! This was very impressive.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks!

[@servingme09]

Having done this before I can say patience and thoroughly cleaning parts are super important. Great video.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thank you!

[@bettinah.7429]

Hello Dave,I’ve said it before you could read the phone book and make it enjoyable. I have subbed to this channel, I am happy to watch pretty much anything you and Brooke put out. My dad worked on cars so this brings back some memories.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks and Welcome aboard!

[@Fish-yr7vv]

Loving this channel. I'm not mechanically inclined but watching these makes me confident.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Right on. Thats the hope is folks will maybe have a better idea how to tackle some auto repairs

[@davidjones8680]

This is one very practical tutorial, and I love the way you edit your video giving us just the most direct information possible to each part of the task. That old UJ was well worn, and I'm very pleased to see the replacement has a grease point, those things need greasing regularly. I have vehicles that were fitted originally by the manufacturer with sealed grease-less UJs that lasted less than 25k. I have switched out all of mine to one's I can lubricate. Regards, David in the U.K.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks David

[@allansturgis5401]

Great video Dave, I've done a fair share of U-Joints and that was well done.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks !

[@josepha.hetherington4629]

Clear and concise. Having done this before when you tube did not exist it is nice to see someone that understands the SAE Engineering and has the patience to do a fine job and the kindness to share it with us. Best film and narration of all I have watched. Thanks

[@axelbrode]

I have no intention of getting that involved in a job only to find out I need more parts and have to find a ride to the Auto parts store. When replacing a water pump years ago, I destroyed the gasket and had to make my own by tracing the old one on thin cardboard and coating both sides with Aquarium sealant. Worked like a charm and no leaks. MacGyver would be proud. Love the new channel.

[@cheapwheels9828]

That sounds like a very respectable work-around

[@leolongo9178]

There’s a lot of things we can do ourselves. Plumber wanted 500$ to fix our water heater. I diagnosed the problem, bad thermocouple, 15$ part, and replaced it myself. Saved a bundle. Took the wife to dinner.

[@cheapwheels9828]

RIGHT ON!

[@navybluejacket4401]

Thanks. Tomorrow morning, I put mine right front 4WD back together. Now, I can get the U Joint right. Thank You, Sir.

[@estranged85]

Thanks for this straightforward demonstration. Really good video 👍👍

[@thearrowheadwoodsman3811]

Very nice job. I have the straight axle version on my 90 f350. Basically the same job, a couple minor differences in the work. Great channel.

[@cheapwheels9828]

That would be a Dana 60 monobeam axle ....correct?

[@thearrowheadwoodsman3811]

It is. I believe the version out have is the dana 56 TTB. I'm not very good at remembering numbers.

[@JohnnyDub16]

Great job! I know where to buy the seals, U joint and miscellaneous bits... But where do I purchase this "patience" you speak of?? I can't seem to find some anywhere 🤔

[@cheapwheels9828]

I know right!? I'm formerly a cement contractor .....that profession is full of panic and hurry up.....patience is nowhere to be found

[@Thomas-wn7cl]

Get the bigger hammer

[@johnthompson5792]

@@cheapwheels9828 got to watch that slump,,,lol

[@bobashmore6442]

Patience is not the ability to wait for something, it is the ability to wait for something while remaining calm. For me that's in short supply. I can tell you right up front that at this point in my life I'd "nope" right out of this job other than to drive it to my mechanic and hand him the keys. Not because I couldn't do it, I've done a bunch of jobs like this over many years all with a great deal of success, but because the group of guys i used to make a weekend out of doing this kind of thing with are all about 400 miles away. Without the friends, the beer, and the doing this kind of thing together....this kind of job loses it's appeal for me pretty quickly. Great video though, I thoroughly enjoyed hanging with you as you worked on this. Thanks for taking us along for the journey.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Interesting. Ive always worked alone.

[@bobashmore6442]

@@cheapwheels9828 I guess it's all about what you're used to which for me means working on cars alone just really isn't that much fun. I grew up just a couple blocks north of 8 Mile Rd, we were packed in like sardines and everyone had cars. Of course everyone needed their car worked on eventually and we always did that together. By helping each other out even the biggest jobs weren't so bad because there were nearly too many hands to do the wrenching and someone in the group, usually more than one, had done this job before. Throw in the beer, a barbeque, and it ended up we'd spend more time talking about the job then we did actually doing it but we were always having fun and the job always got done. Every time I travel up to Michigan I always, always wind up spending as much time as possible in my best friends garage where I feel more at home than just about anywhere on the planet. i thoroughly enjoy wrenching on things there. Weird, yeah, but that's how I'm wired.

[@samyoung6368]

Just Paid $1600 for both sides of my 2016 F250 at a shop. My age and body told me not to this. LOL. I mostly work on my own vehicles if I can and I will say that if I had seen your great video prior to yesterday I would have dove into this project myself. I enjoyed your show very much!

[@03KingRanchRebuild]

BEST INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO I HAVE FOUND YET!

[@anushaslanyan5966]

Thank you so much for this video. I probably watched it like million times. Thanks for being detailed

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martylaughery9138]

Hi, Dave. Great instructions, as always! I love to hear you explain anything. I noticed that Daisy was there checking on you. I’m going to get both of my mechanically inclined sons to subscribe to your channels. Thanks again for these great channels! Love to you, Brooke, kids and pets! God bless you. ❤️👍🙏🏼

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Marty

[@ruthiewrangler9864]

That was great. I take a picture of each step before the next when I disassemble something. I don't trust my memory. LOL I love your new channel. Growing up my father was a maintenance man at a facility, Plumbing, Electrical and general maintenance. We all helped at one time or another. These skills you have are priceless. Thanks again Dave.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Ruthie

[@jessphiliprodriquez7381]

Saved a lot of money doing all that work yourself. I like this new series Dave.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@edbenson98]

Your tips and tricks make doing this job way easier than it looks!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad to hear it!

[@woods2creeksoutdoorsdulins448]

I’m not very mechanical I know just the basics your video is giving me more confidence to doing more than just oil changes,starter, alternator jobs.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Right on

[@moronibarlow7054]

Dude this is the best video I’ve seen on KZbin about this 10/10

[@cheapwheels9828]

Wow thanks

[@Diesel_Mountain]

I'll be doing this to my '15 very soon, and the process here is beautifully demonstrated. You showed and explained everything perfectly from what I can tell. I'll be much more confident going into the project after watching this a couple more times.

[@cook4015]

Good job Dave! The seals are called inner and outer seals. The "inner" is near the center of the axle while the "outer" is near the wheel it's self. Just remember inner is under truck while outer is close to the outside edges of the truck. For the viewers always tighten things in a star pattern evenly this ensures everything is centered and tight i've seen people lose wheels not doing this. Always use jack stands and chalk your wheels for safety! Keep the videos coming i enjoy the content and your channel. I did this work on my 99 Ford F250 Super Duty some 3+ years ago it's still going strong!

[@cheapwheels9828]

thanks

[@zacharyatoui4704]

I love your new channel Dave. You filming your mechanical jobs gives people like me (who don’t know much about cars) confidence to do their mechanical work themselves.

[@cheapwheels9828]

awesome

[@LillysAwakening]

We all deserve a Dave with respect great job bud.

[@cheapwheels9828]

LOL thanks

[@smithacoya]

this might be the most helpfull car mechanic tutorial ive ever seen good work my man

[@cheapwheels9828]

I appreciate that!

[@RufusTBiscuits]

Dave I am absolutely impressed with your video quality and straightforward execution and detail. Thanks man! This is quality! 👍🏼

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks !!

[@3Dmotion648]

This was the best instructional I have ever seen! no joke seen hundreds. you did a great job

[@buildingsalvage]

Incredible camera work man, thank you so much!

[@kevola5739]

Very methodically done. Once I have my U joint snap rings in place I open up the bench vise and support one yoke on the jaws. Then I tap on the other yoke with a hammer to seat the U joint cup back against the snap ring. Do this to all 4 cups and the U joint will have a smooth range of movement if one of the cups was driven in too far. It will also show you if the snap rings are well seated. Laying the U joint across the open vise jaws can also be used to drive out the opposite cups once the snap rings have been removed. Cleaning and soaking the old joint before removal is a very good idea since I have seen many distorted yokes and shafts from over enthusiastic hammering. Heat also works. The U joint snap rings have a smooth rounded side and a sharp corner side. I try to put the sharp corner to the outside to keep the snap rings from popping out under load.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@kevola5739]

@@cheapwheels9828 Also forgot to mention to add some grease inside the cups to keep the needles in place when assembling and orient the grease nipple location to give you the greatest access for the grease gun. Few things more frustrating than not being able to grease that newly installed grease joint.

[@elshep2485]

Really well explained. I mean really. With a manual, this fix makes this very doable even for a newbe.

[@cheapwheels9828]

right on

[@MarkQuinnelly]

Nice job Dave! As always, great video! Thank you!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@wolvertonlecensura9541]

I luv the car repair channel.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@josephb7460]

All the years i have been fixing cars i have learned a few things. You need a book, you need a plan, and you need the right tool for the job.......... 👍👍

[@cheapwheels9828]

Right on

[@billchase659]

Dave, this is a very helpful channel, and, like your other channel, it's top quality. But, to be completely honest, I'd watch you reading a 30-year-old phone book, so I may be biased. I love your attention to detail in both video and audio. You're at ease with the camera, and I get the impression that we're seeing the real Dave in these videos. Thanks for doing this. Keep the content coming!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Bill, I appreciate that.

[@larrylevious8205]

Glad I found your channel Dave; working hard keep my junk on the road. Cheers from Canada.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Welcome aboard! Canada is like my second country. Love it up there

[@rodbennettakakampzite5448]

Very nice! I had to do that once on my old GMC... Since I had it all apart, I went ahead and spent the extra money and also replaced the bearings... I liked the older locking hubs. I think the newer style that are always engaged affect fuel economy...

[@cheapwheels9828]

I would go through the bearings but the truck has 240 on it and the bearings were well greesed

[@jackirichard414]

Thanks for all the great tips.

[@cheapwheels9828]

You bet!

[@CraigArndt]

I’ve done u-joints, did them last year on my son’s F350. It’s a job, but patience and heat were my friends.

[@cheapwheels9828]

well said. Its a good job to do with patience

[@BrLambert]

This reminds me so much of watching my dad while he was working on the car or the semi, he was a truck driver. My grandpa and him shared a garage and to this day I have this strange love for grease, a working garage. Takes me back. I haven't a clue lol but it didn't matter. BTW, the overalls, if they were green..... suggestion: use hashtags in your description like #universaljoint etc

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@timmoxley8620]

Nice detail and editing. Thank you

[@trustme7731]

One thing I noticed was that you might have put the U joint in backwards. It appears that you put the zerk fitting toward the wheel which may make it difficult, if not impossible, to grease. It might be better to use a quality sealed U joint like a Spicer. They have better grease seals to keep the grease in and you don't have to struggle to grease them. I can't imagine what kind of hell the 4 wheel drive has been through to destroy a U joint like that. When I am in 4 wd and I need to turn sharp, like when maneuvering during snowplowing, I slip the transfer case into 2 wd to avoid the binding on the U joint. This saves an enormous amount of wear on the U joint. Also, I use anti seize on mating metal parts. Grease washes out rather easily. Nice video work.

[@shanewilson765]

Dave love the new channel, Thanks

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad to hear it

[@CrustyOldCurmudgeon]

We have all done it, and I am all for personal choice and being responsible for ones own self, BUT I would never post a video working underneath a vehicle with just a floor jack. It is great to see someone doing something on a snow covered driveway.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Well said! BUT, you're not totally correct. I would never work "underneath" a vehicle with only a jack. On this repair I never once got under the truck with the exception of reaching my arm far out and sliding the half shaft boot back on. Other than that it was all outside the truck

[@cheapwheels9828]

I have a pair of huge wood blocks I use for working under vehicles

[@hardwoodharry6364]

Nice one Dave never seen that done so now I think I can tackle that job thanks to you

[@cheapwheels9828]

Go for it!

[@mikesmith9297]

Great video Dave. I could listen to you read War and Peace. I know you weren’t under the truck, but I didn’t see a jack stand. Safety first!

[@cheapwheels9828]

No jack stand....but like you said it was NOT and under-the -truck job.

[@mikesmith9297]

@@cheapwheels9828 no offense intended.

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Great job Dave, that truck will be brand new by summer..👍💚☉

[@cheapwheels9828]

I hope so! lOL

[@timothybowen2481]

Wow, your car, truck mechanical skills might be better than than your building skills, which is obviously awesome. Great video! Looking forward to more of your mechanical ⚙️ skills!!!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks 👍

[@johnallen4635]

long time fan, but that's not how you pack a bearing with grease. Enjoying the new channel. Keep up the good work

[@cheapwheels9828]

Which bearing? The caged needle bearings? I generally edit in 2 second clips. I dont know what you hoped to see and didnt...but the bearings got packed

[@cheapwheels9828]

thanks

[@StereoB20]

I love your new channel Dave! Constant learning is my life goal. Will keep watching all of your futur videos!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Great to hear! Thanks

[@denniswright6134]

What a great video! Thanks!

[@s1mp13m4n]

Trust me, you will thank me for this later. Watch the video again but move firward to where the old grease is being removed with the pick. Stop the video. Put on your headphones, turn up the volume a tiny bit, press play. You are welcome. Seriously though, thank you for your videos, great job.

[@cheapwheels9828]

What did you hear?

[@s1mp13m4n]

I was trying to be funny. The scraping nouse of the pick through headphones....cringe. I was thinking nails on chalkboard. Thus the joke “here folks, put on the headphones and crank this up”.

[@9252LIFE]

Great video! Very informative! It looks more technical than it really is. Good tip on greasing everything up real good! It will definitely make things easier later in when diving back into it.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Chad

[@sandleman3006]

Great vid! Put together well. Thanks for sharing.

[@antonoat]

Not the sort of job you'd want to do at the side of the road, lol. Great demonstration Dave.

[@cheapwheels9828]

No its not

[@butch2kow549]

Very Good and informative; never saw in the inside of one. Its harder than the spindle on my 1931 Ford A.

[@cheapwheels9828]

right on

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Nice job Dave!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@marianocelentano2864]

I love the other channel as well. Great skill you got... infos, editing, mechanical, all straight to the topic. All the best and greetings from Ireland!!! : )

[@cheapwheels9828]

Hello Ireland. I'm a bit Irish myself.

[@billespinosa5088]

Very helpful, I have a f150 with top hats, same principle but a bit different. Nicely explained, keep up the great work.

[@cheapwheels9828]

thanks!

[@RW4X4X3006]

I tuned in to see how you extracted the spindle bearing. You didn't, and that's fair enough. Otherwise, I got a quote from the reputable neighborhood shop do this job - both sides and member joint, $1200. Haha, I'll pay myself to do it. No biggie. Like you said, patience. Excellent block of instruction! Thank you.

[@darius-christiandickison9905]

Very good mechanic work and well done video too

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks 👍

[@Bianchi8000]

Great teaching Video, Dave.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@springthyme1352]

Dang good video. I miss the old locking hubs. This was a very good video. Vicki Walden

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@rinaldocatria4386]

Good luck with you new channel Dave. I’m a gear head too.. or was anyway...limit what I do now to changing oil in my Corvettes that I don’t trust to anyone else. 😂

[@cheapwheels9828]

I wouldnt let anyone change the oil in my Vet either! ......if I had one...

[@robertbeckler5058]

That u joint looks great, still good for another year or week.

[@philt5782]

Nice work. Thanks for the tips. Did my Ranger last year. The half shafts can be an ass to get off the splines sometimes. You have a lot more patience than me. I'm sometimes more like Yosemite Sam when things don't move.

[@cheapwheels9828]

LOL.... I'm so used to breaking things that taking my time has become second nature. I couldnt have done this channel 10 years ago

[@harvestmaid5669]

Sure makes a gal appreciate her mechanic🤗🤗

[@cheapwheels9828]

Its easier than it looks

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

Great video 👍👍

[@DC-hh5uq]

This is an awesome DIY video! Great job and thank you!!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thank you!

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Nice job Dave! Good description and attention to detail. I've subscribed to both your channels. Just discovered them recently. I've been enjoying binge watching them. Keep it up.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Awesome. I appreciate a bing watcher for sure. Hope you enjoy both channels

[@g-man4647]

Great job Dave, I learned a lot. Thank you

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnthompson5792]

Good stuff Dave, be well out there!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@MrGeroth]

Dave do they still print Chiltons manuals? I haven’t seen one in years. Good job.

[@cheapwheels9828]

I dont know...

[@jeffersonspace]

Thanks Dave. You are giving folks knowledge, and insight on how things get repaired. Years from now someone is going to be blown away by this video. Um.... have you ever checked out bus grease monkey's channel (old GM buses), and his son Tyler has a channel called Indiana Diesel? Tyler works on all kinds of vehicles, including farm equipment. I found those channels round about the time I landed on girl in the woods, and bushradical. I like watching stuff that is educational, and entertaining.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks for the suggestions...Ive never heard of those guys, I'll check them out

[@keithdeshong9612]

I'm really liking this channel. Keep up the good work!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks, will do!

[@Thomas-wn7cl]

Hey Dave, I am digging your new channel. As a Junior Shade Tree Mechanic, diagnosis of what needs to get fixed and why can throw me a bit. Could you cover a bit more on how you figure out which part needs to get fixed? Thanks and keep up the good work!

[@cheapwheels9828]

I'll do what I can

[@Thomas-wn7cl]

Thanks

[@jcnordstrom6045]

Damn Dave, that was a job!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@myharris]

Great job. Now you know what was making the door rattle...

[@cheapwheels9828]

LOL...one of many things

[@alanj7306]

Great video Dave 👍. Awesome information you always provide us. Amazing how much $$$ you can save doing your own vehicle maintenance. That actually didn’t look as complicated as I would have that. Some time and patience like you said. I’ve found that some jobs like that are more intimidating than difficult. Once you get going they’re not as bad as you had built it up to be in your mind. Have to love KZbin for a guide for automotive repairs.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks 👍

[@William4143]

Great video! I’ve got a all wheel drive 2002 Dodge Dakota sport that was given to me. I think the clanking up front is the issue you just repaired on yours. Thank you for the info.

[@cheapwheels9828]

good luck

[@lindahobbs5545]

Excellent! I just love to hear you talk!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks Linda

[@makapalatrace8385]

Great vid. True patience.

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@frankbennett3676]

Awesome job Dave

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks

[@CraveNature]

Love your new channel Dave! Thanks for sharing!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@randallweichbrodt1582]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@tvpj07]

Corto pero excelente video. Muy bien explicado.

[@vossierebel]

I get the feeling you do it just so you can play in the grease... like I metal detect so I can play in the muddy holes!! 😁👍😁

[@cheapwheels9828]

I love doing slow mechanic work.......it used to be ...wrenching on your car sunday night in the snow so you can get to work monday morning......Thats not so fun.

[@vossierebel]

@@cheapwheels9828 Seems to me you're having fun... giving all the old crocks a new lease on life!! 😁😁

[@hbrunet72]

Awesome episode!!

[@cheapwheels9828]

Thanks