U-joint Experts
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
U-joint Experts
I know this isn't a diesel question, but all the wise people drive 6.0's so I'll ask this here.
I rebuilt my rear driveshaft yesterday, using Ford OEM U-joints (no grease fitting). I think it all went well, but they shipped 3 complete sets of snap rings with each U-joint. They are color coded and each is approx .002" different in thickness.
Now, setting U-joints is a rather crude affair, even using our arbor press. Even more crude if you did it with a hammer like the Autozone guy. It seems to me like the variety of thicknesses is so that you can fine tune the end play. But in .002" increments? That is really down to an RCH.
I ended up using the thinnest, and I've got no end play that I can feel. Very nice fit and it drives nice at high speed. I had to get the cups well seated before even the thinnest clips would fit.
Question is, what should I have done? How do you adjust the cup seating and select a snap ring?
I rebuilt my rear driveshaft yesterday, using Ford OEM U-joints (no grease fitting). I think it all went well, but they shipped 3 complete sets of snap rings with each U-joint. They are color coded and each is approx .002" different in thickness.
Now, setting U-joints is a rather crude affair, even using our arbor press. Even more crude if you did it with a hammer like the Autozone guy. It seems to me like the variety of thicknesses is so that you can fine tune the end play. But in .002" increments? That is really down to an RCH.
I ended up using the thinnest, and I've got no end play that I can feel. Very nice fit and it drives nice at high speed. I had to get the cups well seated before even the thinnest clips would fit.
Question is, what should I have done? How do you adjust the cup seating and select a snap ring?
Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Patricia, Alberta
I have never bought a new one that had multiple choices for snap rings.
If a truck is old enough and had enough u-joints changed the way I change them (hammer and one inch bolt held in vicegrips for driving the cups in) the ends where the u-joint fits in will finally bow inwards slightly - those snap rings would be nice to have. The last one I just did in my 1990, I had to grind a little off the end of the u-joint shaft to get the snap ring to fit.
If a truck is old enough and had enough u-joints changed the way I change them (hammer and one inch bolt held in vicegrips for driving the cups in) the ends where the u-joint fits in will finally bow inwards slightly - those snap rings would be nice to have. The last one I just did in my 1990, I had to grind a little off the end of the u-joint shaft to get the snap ring to fit.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I was prepared to reuse the snap rings, not knowing if the new units would come with them. Then when they came with an assortment it was a surprise.
I've installed them with a C-clamp before. So far I have avoided having to use a hammer AFAICR. But you can't beat the arbor press.
I've installed them with a C-clamp before. So far I have avoided having to use a hammer AFAICR. But you can't beat the arbor press.
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