D30 Front Axle Shaft U Joint Replacement

[rmcbama]

I'm replacing my D30 front axle u joints and have never done that before. The inner clips are off and I thought I could drive the caps off from the inside out using a punch. I got slight movement but then it appeared to stop. I want to check if there's any tricks in getting these out easily (at least relatively easy) without damaging anything. I don't have a press.

 

[Dr. Bronc]

This article might help you out.
Link: http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/axle/ujoint/

 

[rmcbama]

I found a Jeep 4x4 article and it worked. I skipped the first axle and went to the second that was way easier than the first. I used a large deep well socket under the joint for the bottom cap to fall into and a smaller socket with an OD just smaller than the cap diameter. With the shaft in the vise a small sledge hammer did the trick. The first axle was much harder than the other but some big hammer swings got it moving.