Hello all,

  First a little info about my truck. I have a 1983 Bronco (fullsize) with a 4 inch suspension lift kit.
  Today, my right front hub was overheated, making me think it's a bearing problem. I also have a bad U-joint on the right axleshaft. Here are my questions:

1) Is there a specific torque spec to follow when I reassemble the bearings and tighten them down?

2) Does anyone know if the U-Joint in the axleshaft is pressed in? Will I need some kind of a special press to remove and replace them?

Thanks in advance.  

Check and make sure the brake wasn't dragging, that can cause a hot hub real quick as well (stuck or frozen caliper).

On the bearings, the common procedure is:
Tighten the inner bearing locknut (with lock pin facing outwards) to 35 ft-lbs while spinning the rotor back & forth (this is to seat the bearings and distribute the grease).
Back the nut off ½ turn, then retighten it to 15 INCH-lbs (basically snug it hand-tight with the socket)
Install the locking washer, making sure the locking pin indexes one of the holes (flip the washer over if it doesn't line up, do not back the nut off)
Tighten the outer locknut to at least 150ft-lbs (I like to go to at least 200, as they sometimes don't hold at 150)


The U-joints are pressed in, yes (and are retained with half-circle clips on the insides of the yoke ears).
It's possible to install them using a hammer and some old sockets, although the risk of damaging the yoke is quite high. I would use a press if you can (or have a shop install them).

FWIW, Harbor Freight Tools sells a C-clamp style balljoint press that works well on the u-joints for around $30 last I checked.


Hope that helps  

I got it fixed and it runs better than ever. The outer bearing was completely destroyed. I decided to replace both of the hub bearings and the spindle bearing. Thanks for your help, guys. It made all of the difference in the world.