K1500 CV axle replacement

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Mr_Rich

I kind of wish you were posting pics. Back in 2012/ 2013 I replaced the seal on the pass. side of the front diff. on my '89 K1500. I had to drop the diff a couple of inches to get the right side apart and I remember that the CV axles compressed a little bit to get them installed in the flange. This post is very timely since I need to replace the lower ball joint on the driver side and I replace the pass. side at the same time. This project is waiting for me since I'm also in the midst of a residential move.

Sorry, don't have a working camera right now, and since we have no cell phone service out here in the "holler" all we have is an ancient cell phone for emergencies.

I've never done the bottom ball joints, just the top one on one side which was really easy once I borrowed the right size metric box end wrench. With all the stuff in there you can only turn the nut about 1/8 turn at a time. The bottom joints are more involved they say ...

My front differential leaks on both ends but since it's just a "ranch truck" I just add some oil once in a while. But the front axles were clanking whenever I tried to turn even just a little in 4wd, which was making it virtually useless for my purposes. About $150 for both axles plus my labor.

I think my worn out axle was stiffer than the new one and just didn't want to thread the needle to get it out of there. The new one practically fell in.

I'm no expert mechanic but since I just did the axle change I will try to answer any question you might have. The only thing I can suggest at this point is that if your 89 is a "road truck" that you want to keep in top notch shape, then replace just about every part you touch while you have it apart.