My truck is in the shop right now. My u-joints needed to be replaced but they told me that the 04 f150's u-joints cannot be serviced but you have to replace the whole driveshaft. Just letting yall know that if your u-joints go bad then plan on getting a whole new driveshaft.

 

... since when dont u-joints press out?

 

that doesnt sound right at all.

 

That's what I wanna know.

No way Ford would be dumb enough to make non-serviceable ujoints.

 

bring it to another shop.

 

That is incorrect.
The factory U joints are staked in and the stakes have to be cut out with a special tool and then the new u joints installed in a traditional manner with some special spacers and such.

It is an absolutely asinine design

 

Why do they do that? To save 2 cents per truck on Jesus clips?

 

Do most driveline shops have this special tool to cut out the "stakes"?
I have a 1998 with two-piece driveshaft with center-support bearing. Anyone know if this year and type of driveshaft is "staked"?

 

I plan on replacing my U-Joints on my truck at 75k. Why?

It's a stick, and there is more wear and tear from shifting. Also I learned the hard way if you leave the driveshaft on there for a long time and then wait for the U-Joints to give... it will be a true headache to remove the driveshaft. Learned the hard way.

I was told with automatics, they tend to last to about 100k. But with sticks, depending on the driving habits, they will tend to last to about 75k.

Plus I prefer the Zerk-fittings.

I think the sealed ones lose their lube after 50k anyhow. Not sure, but I don't like them.

But yes, they use the stupid stakes on the NBS models.

I think the '97 - '00 use the Jesus clips. I could be wrong. IIRC, it could be '97 to '05. But it sure is mystifying from looking around.

But IIRC I did a search a couple months ago in various stores while looking for U-Joints on my Dak, and I happened to ask them what years, and I got weird answers. I even did a few searches, and came back totally lost.

Personally... if you want my opinion, the best way to be sure if to go under the truck and look. If it has Jesus clips you are usually good, UNLESS you can't get them out, and you will wind up having to bring that driveshaft to a mechanic to have them cut it off with a torch. I had this happen on my Dak, but luckily I had torch.

Also, I prefer going with Spicer Heavy Duty Cardon Joints for you propeller shaft. I've heard nothing but excellent reviews. They are the same ones used in commerical applications such as school buses, tractors, etc.

 

i just hate rebuilding cardons.

 

My originals didn't even last 75k.

 

I called my friend at the shop. He said it would have cost the same amount to replace just the u-joints. Thats why he wanted to replace the whole driveshaft for me. Luckily its under warranty. After searching the forums, it doesnt look like im the only one running into this problem.

 

Wow something must be messed up wiht the email notification. I just got notified of the reply made by glc on 5/3/2008

Also as far as I have seen the 97-03 driveshafts have regular u joints. I will look under my son's 2008 when i get a chance

 

I assume this is probably the reason Napa or AdvanceAuto does not have U-Joints for the NBS F150s...

 

man why do these ford engineers think of STUPID **** like this that screws the damn consumer so bad? "Hey i got a new neat idea! lets make the driveshaft so that the u-joints are not easily serviced anymore. see how many people we **** off"