Im trying to replace the U-joints in my 1986 4x4 f250 dana 50. I need to know how do I get the yoke out of the differential.

Rebuilding them consists of new U joints and maybe balanced. If it was so loose the the u joints wallowed out the keepers, Then yes, they would also need replaced. Cut off and welded on. That isn't a common problem, but I have had to replace a few. Not just on jeeps.

www2.dana.com/pdf/5326.pdf
I believe you have a Dana 50 front axle. 2004 and up come with Dana 60. You can upgrade to the Dana 60 as a drop in.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1059204-dana-50-parts-breakdown.html

The Dana model 50 and model 60 front drive axles feature the following:

• a hypoid gear design with the centerline of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear
• a conventional differential case
• full-floating axle shafts
• a cast center section with two steel tubes
• a stamped differential housing cover

You need to replace the seal for the pinion. ou need to remove the drive shaft off the pinion yoke thene you will find a big nut in the center of the yoke that has to be removed but before you remove the nut check to see if there is any kind of play on the yoke if there is play the pinion bearing will have to be replaced if that is the case your better off having a mechanic do the job. If there is no play remove the nut pull the yoke off replace the seal and reinstall in reverse order.

Hello, Are the tires and wheels balanced? If they are balanced then check the drive shaft. This drive shaft transfer the power from the engine/auto transmission to the rear differential/rear wheel.
Now, on each end of the drive shaft is a flexible yoke, this splined yoke has a U-joint with four bearing cups. Two of the bearing cup is attached to the splined yoke and two are attached to the drive shaft. Now, on the rear differential end is a yoke but it has 4 bolts and nuts, it also will have a U-joint attached to the 4 bolted yoke and to other bearing cups attach to drive shaft. U-Joint is called "Universal Joint" Each U-joint has about 10 degree circular travel without any type of binding to the U-joints or the drive shaft.



Two things here. First, take a pry bar and wedge into the U-Joint and move the bar forwards, backwards, up and down. If the drive shafts moves in any direction and clanks. The u-joints need to be replaced and I would replace both of the U-joints. Secondly, if the U-joints aren't loose, then there is a good possibility that the drive shaft is out of balance. In other words, it has lost it small welded plats on the drive shaft and when you are drive you Chrysler the drive shaft is vibrating.



To replace the U-Joints and/or balance the drive shaft. You'll need to remove those 4 bolts and nuts on the differential yoke. Once the bolts are removed then push the drive shaft forward, it will slide forward. Now, under the transmission yoke place a pan/bucket/container to catch the transmission fluid that will drain out once the drive shaft is pull free from the transmission.



If you don't have a press, vise, brass 5 lb hammer, bushing, punches, then I would tackle this job of replacing these U-Joints. Without the proper tools, one can damage the U-joint yokes and the drive shaft. I wouldn't do this without the tools and experience. I use a cutting torch but I have been do it for 50+ years.



If the drive shaft is out of balance, then you will need to take to Drive Line Specialty Shop to have it balanced. Also, have them replace the U-Joints. They have all equipment to do this job. I wish you luck in your endeavor. GB....stewbison

Lift the rear end of the Explorer with a floor jack. Place jack stands underneath the rear axle, by the leaf spring perches and lower the Explorer onto the stands. Pull the floor jack out of the way. mark both ends of the shaft for reinstalation.

2

Crawl under the rear end and unbolt the universal joint retaining straps from the rear differential yoke.

3

Pull the drive shaft and universal joint away from the rear differential yoke by hand.

4

Remove the retaining rings that hold the universal joint into the drive shaft with needle-nose pliers.

5

Support the end of the drive shaft on a jack stand and place the socket extension against the universal joint cap in the drive shaft yoke. Tap the socket extension with the dead blow hammer until the universal joint cap comes out of the yoke.

6

Clean the sockets in the drive shaft yoke with the tip of a pocket screwdriver to remove any built up road dirt or other gunk.

7

Remove two of the caps from the opposite ends of the replacement universal joint. Be careful to keep the bearings in the caps.

8

Position the replacement universal joint in the drive shaft yoke and put the cap on the outside. Use the socket extension and dead blow hammer to tap the cap through the yoke far enough to expose the retaining ring groove. Put the retaining ring on that side with the needle-nose pliers. Repeat this for the other cap.

9

Move the drive shaft back up to the differential yoke, line up the new universal joint with the differential yoke and reinstall the universal joint retaining straps with the wrench. Lower the rear end off the jack stands with the floor jack.

is this vehicle 2WD or 4WD

Actually a relatively easy job as both the front and rear universal joints are held on with straps and bolts. Assuming the car is safely in the air and not going to roll away, first mark a line on the differential yoke and on the driveshaft so you can reinstall it in the same position. Repeat this procedure at the front end of the driveshaft at the transmission yoke.

Next remove the 4 bolts and 2 straps that hold the front universal joint into the transmission yoke, then you can lightly pry the universal toward the rear of the car and free it from the yoke. Have a prepared place to lower the front of the shaft on such a small piece of plywood or something to prevent it from being damaged. Also take care not to remove the yoke from the transmission to prevent fluid loss, even if you need to temporarily tie the yoke in place.

Next remove the 4 bolts and 2 straps that hold the rear universal joint into the differential yoke, then you can lightly pry the universal toward the front of the car and free it from the yoke.

Thats all! Good luck and totally enjoy one of the best cars ever built!

It should be listed in the owners manual, but because of different oil cooler setups you may have to do the change yourself and add oil until the correct level is established..... for the first oil change.
Most likely 7 liters,but start with 5,run the engine to fill the oil filter,let it sit for 5 mins and recheck and fill to full.
Note the amount needed for next time.

Not hard to do. You need to remove the drive shaft, to get to the nut that holds the rear yoke from the differential. Once the rear yoke has been removed, you can replace the O ring seal from the differential by using a screw driver to pry out the old seal. Try not to damage it to much so you can use it to help tap in the new seal. Once the seal is out place the new seal in place by hand and then place the old old seal on it and tap in the new seal with a small hammer. Take care to ensure that the new seal goes in straight and place some grease on the seal before you place the yoke back in to place. Tighten up the yoke nut and you may want to replace the U joint at this time too since it's off the truck. Once everything it back together, check the differential oil level and top off. Good luck and hope this helps, you can get the parts at Auto Zone and they can also give you the step by step instructions to getting the job done with common tools. The hardest part that i can see you having is the removal of the yoke nut, the job takes about an hour to do so if your going to have a garage to the job the most would be 1.5 hours but should take them about 30 min to do.