Symptoms
Clunk or play at the front wheel, grease flung around the hub, a clicking U-joint when turning in 4WD, or a ball joint that moves when you lever the wheel top to bottom.
The fix, step by step
- With the hub and rotor off, unbolt the spindle and pull it to get at the outer axle shaft.
- Replace the spindle needle bearing and seals with a Spicer kit (1980–92 and 1994–96 kits differ), and replace the axle-shaft U-joints while the shafts are out; confirm the joint size for your shafts before ordering.
- If the ball joints are loose, press them out with a C-frame press and adapters, fit new Spicer joints, and reset the upper adjuster sleeve.
- Repack the wheel bearings, reassemble and set the bearing preload.
Tools & part numbers
- Hub/spindle-nut socket
- slide hammer or seal puller
- ball-joint C-press and adapters
- U-joint press or vise
- torque wrench.
Where to buy the parts
1980–92 Dana 44 TTB Spicer spindle bearing repair kitBronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
1994–96 Ford Dana 44 TTB front-end rebuild kitBronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
Dana 44 Spicer axle-shaft U-joint 5-760X (confirm fit)Bronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
1980–96 TTB Dana 44 Spicer lower ball jointBronco Graveyard ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Ford Full-size Bronco parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.