U joints

[Essayons_01]

So while driving with my windows down I heard a fail disturbing noise from the front end, which made me pull over and look to see what it was and found that my u joints on the front axle are shot. I'm pretty sure I have to pull the axles out to do them, if so is there a retaining clip in the differential that has to get pulled or no. And do yall think it's something the needs to get done before I drive the truck again?
01 ram 1500 4x4

 

[ohiogrown]

Yes you have to pull them, no I wouldn't drive it. I did some for a customer today who let it go and bent the ears on both ends of the axle, to the tune of $450 in new axles. Plan on doing wheel bearings while you're in there if they haven't been done recently. You're going to beat them to death removing them, and there's no sense in doing it again in a few months, or sooner.

 

[98GreenRAM]

Go with spicer 5-760 u joints and btw your wheels bearing are probably just fine but i would check them out just in case

 

[Essayons_01]

Yea I was looking at those, but I still don't know if I'm going to have to pull the differential cover to remove a retaining clip for the axles?

 

[rowdyram]

Yea I was looking at those, but I still don't know if I'm going to have to pull the differential cover to remove a retaining clip for the axles?

No you don't. They are held in by the wheel bearing and float in the carrier. Remove bearings and they slide right out

 

[Merc225hp]

No you don't need to pull the diff cover, there are no clips.

 

[Essayons_01]

Thank u gentlemen,

 

[Lethalweapon100]

Thank u gentlemen,

Look up some youtube tutorials, theres a method where you can use the power steering to essentially push the wheel bearing out of its place without ruining it.

 

[BlackMagnum2000]

DON'T BUY MOOG U JOINTS
Less than 10k miles on mine and one seized up on me.