Hi, so I figured out my rear end noise was my u joints dying. I have three questions about the repair, as I have already removed the driveshaft.
1. Does anything go between the front yoke and the transmission opening? Like a gasket or seal? I had nothing there.
2. My front yoke is not uniform in diameter along it's length (no jokes). There is a narrow spot in the middle. Is this intentional or is this a wear spot and does it need to be replaced?
3. My vise is not big enough to use to press out the joints, and I am nervous about hammering on the yokes (one big miss and it is over). Any reason not to use a big C-Clamp?

Thanks for the help

 

1. The tailshaft should have a seal.
2. It sounds like the trans yoke is worn. Post a pic.
3. An appropriately sized socket and hammer work for me.

 

Thanks for the information. I'll be sure to get a picture up, but how big a deal is slight yoke wear?

So my transmission is a toploader fourspeed, any suggestions on finding the correct seal? I was just going to ask at NAPA. For reference, how does it install? Does it slip over the yoke and then just push against the trans output? I'll also check to make sure the seal isn't stuck against the trans out...

Final question- when I installed the new ujoints, one of the joint caps was able to be finger pushed into place. Is that a problem? All the others required the vise to push in.

 

How I've always done them too ..... think about where you support it. Make sure clips are out too. Always think about rotation and place any grease fitting in compression for best strength, and angle them away from rear axle if at rear, away from trans at trans end.

Talking about one miss and it's over, in the mid 1970s I was helping a buddy replace u-joints, he was steadying d-shaft, I was holding socket and hammer .... I don't know if he flinched or I just hit socket off square but in a few seconds there was a lot of red stuff and my left thumb was numb, then throbbing .... it was a mess. I wrapped in a handkerchief, then a shop wrag, then some tape ..... never got stitches but I should have. Man, that HURT! My left thumb nail has had a permanent groove that runs from the quick to the open end ever since, good 1/8" deep and near 1/4" wide. A few years later I had a MC wreck and though no bones were broken, a lot of skin was lost and they x-rayed me good and one thing they x-rayed was my left hand as it seems my thumb was somehow folded back, but no breaks .... just sore .... and I recall doctor asking me why my left thumb's bone looked like a road map of old breaks. I guess I broke it some when I missed that socket.

I always hold the socket with a pair of vise grips ever since.

 

Here is a link to the driveshaft yoke. You can see the slight wear groove in the middle. I am tempted to use it anyway- how bad an idea is that?

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - PRUSue's Album: Drive shaft yoke wear groove

Thanks for the advice of using the vice-grips! That is a brutal injury, you are pretty helpless with no thumb! I used a ujoint press from Advance Auto, which is a giant c clamp and ratchet. Honestly, when installing the new ujoints, some of the cups simply slide into place by hand, should I be worried about that?

Finally, the driveshaft seal is in place, but it isn't very juicy anymore, and oil has always leaked from there. How is that piece replaced? I have no idea how it is removed or installed with the trans still bolted up, and neither the Haynes or Shop manual covers it.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

bump

any thoughts?

 

The wear I see on your yoke does not worry me .

 

I pulled up your yoke and broklyn Decker poped up,got any other parts

 

I don't think I have ever been able to install a cap by just using my hand. I don't think I would like that.

 

x2

I've done a few over the years and I cannot remember a single one going in by hand. Sounds like which ever cap slid in place by hand has a stretched hole.

On the yoke - As stated below, maybe dress it a little and run it as long as it is still making contact with the seal.

 

"Brutal" is stating it mildly, I can still imagine the throbbing pain so clear it's like last week .... it was nearer 40 years ago.

I now work part time as a "mobile parts pro" at an Advance, to supplement my pension from the state, "spending money" .... and I agree, safest to use the press kit but a couple years ago when I last did the three in the rear DS of my '77 I just did them the old way, using the VGs to hold any sockets I was hitting.

Any yoke that the u-joint caps will slide into place by hand is a yoke I'ld examine closer for damage, cracks, correct u-joints. I forgot to say earlier, I have used a vise on a bench a time or two to do the pressing, make sure the cap is going in straight.

About the yoke wear, looks usable to me .... I'ld maybe use some calipers and check for excessive wear, maybe touch it a bit with some 1000 grit crocus cloth to polish some.

 

So the consensus is be wary about the yokes/ujoints. I'll run them by my mechanics to get a professional opinion to be safe. Thanks for the help.

 

My front and rear ujoints are not the same size. But i dont think i would have been able to press the larger ones into the smaller holes without a lot of cursing and hammering.

 

So in conclusion I brought my shaft to my mechanics place...man that sounds wrong. Anyway he said the yoke wear could cause a slight oil leak, but nothing to lose sleep over. As for the ujoint cups, he said they were tight enough as they do not move or shift when the trunion is moved, and the metal ring clips (Jesus clips?) hold the cups in anyway. I ended up painting POR15 over the thing and then stenciling "Born in the USA" on the driveshaft. Lets see if anyone ever notices besides the rocks that hit it...

 

That should do it .....