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U-joint replacement tutorial needed

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by mdmt800, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. Sep 27, 2016 at 7:52 AM
    #1
    mdmt800

    mdmt800 [OP] Active Member

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    I have the 07 Tacoma and just noticed a small squeak backing out of driveway. I'm pretty sure it's one of the u-joints. I'd like to replace them myself. Is there a tutorial for this? I scanned through and didn't find one. Also a friend of mine said he replaced u-joints on his car and had problems with something like the balance. He said it had a terrible wobble and had to get it towed to the dealership. This was after he changed his u-joints out. Is it that tricky to get lined up or put back the same way? I'm not a super mechanic, but I could take my time and go through it and do it myself, or try if I had a good video or tutorial to guide me. The quote from the dealer was close to 1,200 bucks verses around 40-60 bucks for parts.
     
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  2. Sep 27, 2016 at 7:57 AM
    #2
    98tacoma27

    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    Some stuff. Not a lot, just some.
    Are you sure it's a u joint and not a leaf spring? U joint replacement is tricky and has to done right the first time.



     
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  3. Sep 27, 2016 at 7:59 AM
    #3
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    u joints are cake.

    Rent this "ball joint press" from autozone / oriley auto parts http://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/ball-joint-press oriley will let you have it for free.

    This will allow you to properly press out u joints easier than anything else with minimal effort.... i will never do a u joint replacement without that tool ever again.


    Next

    grab 3 of these for your rear driveshaft (assuming a non regular cab, 2 for a regular cab) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOI8BDS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1



    Then go at it doing one at a time. Mark how everything lined up before and where the zerk fitting was then put everything back together how you had it before and you wont have any balance issues.
     
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  4. Sep 27, 2016 at 8:03 AM
    #4
    mdmt800

    mdmt800 [OP] Active Member

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    I just had the leaf springs replaced when they inspected my truck for some recalls. They had to order the leaf springs and it took about a month to get them in, but they did replace them. I'm pretty sure it's the u-joints.
     
  5. Sep 27, 2016 at 8:07 AM
    #5
    mdmt800

    mdmt800 [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks for the quick replies. I drive about 40 miles a day to and from work, what kind of time do I have before this is a big problem. I need a good long weekend when I try to tackle this. I hate to try anything and get in a bind and have to go to work the next day. The pressure would kill me.
     
  6. Sep 27, 2016 at 8:17 AM
    #6
    BassAckwards

    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    Ive had 3 ujoints go out on mine. Typically i would start hearing a rotational squeaking noise that got faster as i accelerated. It was most noticeable from 10-30mph where as once i was going faster than 30, it couldnt really be heard as well. Just thought id throw out some info on what it might be like when theyre going out. Also, if you have toyota ujoints in it right now, you can crawl up underneath it and check the rubber seals around the spider itself. If theyre broken or split, its time to replace since OEM ujoints are not greasable and rely on this seal to keep water/moisture out
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2016
  7. Sep 27, 2016 at 1:46 PM
    #7
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    I hate misinformation. Your statement is incorrect as you said above.

    There is a vast majority of Tacoma's that came from the factory with greasable universal joints. My Prerunner did and I'm fairly sure all, if not most 4X4 trucks do. Prerunners are a little more hit or miss, some do some don't. I have no idea about the 5 lugger trucks... I would imagine they are also hit and miss.
     
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  8. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:19 PM
    #8
    mdmt800

    mdmt800 [OP] Active Member

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    I just checked again and I did not see any grease fittings on the u-joints.
     
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  9. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:20 PM
    #9
    BassAckwards

    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    My bad, just trying to help. I shouldve mentioned that my prerunner doesnt have them.
     
  10. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:23 PM
    #10
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    No big deal. Just that some do and some don't.
     
  11. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:25 PM
    #11
    mdmt800

    mdmt800 [OP] Active Member

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    Thank you all for your help. I just want to be sure on making sure everything is marked to where I can put it back exactly like it was. In another post it was mentioned to put the grease fitting back in the same position, does it matter if the old did not have the fittings?
     
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  12. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:26 PM
    #12
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    John Kelly's videos kick ass.













     
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  13. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:27 PM
    #13
    BassAckwards

    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    If only they could keep things consistent for the sake of our sanity. Either way, im more informed now, thanks for the correction. The last thing i want to do is mislead the good folks on here. :thumbsup:
     
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  14. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:39 PM
    #14
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    U-Joint need replacing? Totally do it yourself unless the actual axle is fucked. All you need is a hard flat surface and a BFH.
     
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  15. Sep 27, 2016 at 2:59 PM
    #15
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    pretty sure its all 4x4's have zerks on front and rear driveshafts... all 09+ prerunners do as well.

    5 luggers, no idea.


    See my post above, a BFH and a big socket works, but its so barbaric and a pain in the ass and you can fuck up the thrust washers in the new joints. Use the ball joint / u joint press i linked to above, will take one longer to clean off the old yokes than it is to push out a u joint with one of those tools.
     
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  16. Sep 27, 2016 at 3:49 PM
    #16
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

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    This is true. What also works is a big C-Clamp if you already have one. ;)

    I've done it all 3 ways. BFH, C-Clamp, and 10 ton hydraulic press. The press was a cake walk. So easy. The other 2 were doable. but a 2/10 for a pain in the ass definitely.
     
  17. Sep 28, 2016 at 6:15 AM
    #17
    topcathr

    topcathr Well-Known Member

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    I have done mine with a vise and hand tools. I would bring the drive shaft to an automotive machine shop and have them pressed in. A lot less work and no damaging the new u joints....... mark the position of the shaft before removing it. good luck
     
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  18. Sep 28, 2016 at 9:09 AM
    #18
    ARB1977

    ARB1977 It’s a beaut Clark

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    My 6 lug Prerunner SR5 does not.
     
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  19. Sep 28, 2016 at 5:25 PM
    #19
    Jimmyh

    Jimmyh Well-Known Member

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    Hit and miss...
     
  20. Sep 28, 2016 at 8:54 PM
    #20
    Pigpen

    Pigpen My truck is never clean

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    Those were no joke. Really informative - almost too much...but I now know why I should take it to a pro, as long as I'm not doing it on the trail.
     

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