got a question. Just how hard is it to do the front axle u joints and axle seals on a 97 4x4 4.0 V6?? it looks like the whole front end has to come apart....this may be a dealer job. i don't have the time to do all that if it is the case. Thanks!

 

outer u joints pretty easy, inner pass side u joint can be a big PITA. That's the one that usually requires taking apart the pig....though some have done it w/o by torching the old u joint out.

 

hmmmm. i'm just not sure if i want to take a risk of my truck being down...i need it to get back and forth to work.

 

Are you talking about the U-joints on the front drive shaft or the CV joints on the half shafts? The half shafts go from the axle tube down to the wheel. Neither of them require the diff coming apart.

Which are you trying to do?

 

He's talking 97 TTB not post 98 SLA.....

 

I don't have half shafts, this is a 3rd gen ranger. I'm talking the u joints from the axles that come out the side of the differential.

 

Touche, disregard my last post.

 

Done this once. We opted to pull the whole SLA assembly and replace all bushing and press in new ball joints. If you are able to get your hands on a second car, my best guest is your truck will be down a weekend. If you lived out here, in the Toyotanation, you'd be looking at week plus; with shipping on top of that.

 

i most likely won't be doing this then. the ball joints are only a year old and if you tack on all the rusted bolts, i'll probably break a few in the process (gotta love NY)