Why is my axle still attached to my trans?

[TDK08]

So I have been hearing a clunking noise coming from my truck when I put it in drive and reverse. Come to find out I have about 1/4 of play in my axle joint where it meets the tran. I dont know how this thing is still attached...LOL.

[stv252003]

Well.... I need to check mine because I have the same sounds.

[TDK08]

So how much of a pain is it to replace a u-joint?

[RedHeartbeat]

not too bad if you rent a balljoint press tool from Autozone to press the joint in and out.

[zeake]

You might need a torch to get the old ones out.

[RedHeartbeat]

yeah, if your joint doesnt have a keeper for the caps visible, then it is injection molded inside the yoke. Heat helps to melt the plastic. Look for keepers on the outside of the ujoint caps or on the inside of they ears of yoke, c-clip retainer on the bottom end of the caps.

[TDK08]

Thanks for the help guys. Took me about 2 hours from start to finish.

Truck has no more clunk and has no vibration at 100mph+...

After all was said and done I checked out the old u-joint. No needle bearing in two of the four caps. Metal was very worn.