Tools for Replacing a Rear Axle U Joint

Series Summary

The automobile—a machine that means so much to so many—is a complex system built on the designs and ideas of men and women who are long gone from the world. And while we’ve enjoyed traveling the backroads of childhood, the streets of adolescence, and the highways of adulthood, the car has remained a reliable means of transportation, as well as a vehicle that embodies the hopes and dreams of reaching exciting new destinations, or returning home. For a car to operate normally, it must have some basic care and maintenance.

A U joint, or Universal joint, is commonly used in shafts that transmit rotary motion. It consists of a pair of ordinary hinges located close together, but oriented at 90° relative to each other. In this free video series, a car repair expert will teach you how to replace a car's rear axle U joint. You'll learn how to remove retaining bolts, how to remove a drive shaft, and how to install and lube a new U joint. You're just a few clicks away from learning a handy automotive repair skill!

Video Transcript

"In this clip, we're going to talk about the proper service procedure for removing and replacing a rear axle u-joint on a Ford Explorer. In this step we're going to talk about the tools required, in order to remove and replace, a rear axle u-joint on a Ford Explorer. I've got my floor jack here, my jack stands; they're safety devices, a hammer, needle nose pliers, standard metric socket set, of course my replacement u-joint and a heavy duty shop vice. These are the tools required in order to service your rear axle u-joint."