Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Can't get U joint off

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:22 PM
  #1  
Gigemags05's Avatar
Gigemags05
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
Can't get U joint off

I am in the process of pulling the engine and tranny from a donor vehicle.

I got everything unhooked, clip pulled off, fluids drained, etc.

But I absolutely cannot get the u joint off of the drive shaft or yolk of the transmission.

I tried a c clamp with a huge socket on the other end to press it through. I tried heating it up and using PB blaster. Its not even budging.

Anyone have a trick? I am sure there is something I am not doing.

If I have to, is it alright to cut through the driveshaft just to get everything pulled? At least then I could work on it without having to be on my back.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:31 PM
  #2  
maytag906's Avatar
maytag906
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Northern Indiana USA
Don't you remove the driveshaft, by taking the clamps off at the rear U joint?
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:31 PM
  #3  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I'm lost. I thought you were trying to get the u-joint out of a cup on the yoke coming out of the tranny. To do that you pull the u-bolts and it usually comes right out, although I have had to pry it out. But you said "press it through", which I would think means you are trying to get the u-joint off the shaft.

Wait - Is the yoke on the tranny one that is splined? Have you pulled the drive shaft out of the rear axle? If so you should be able to slide the whole thing rearward and the yoke will come right off.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:33 PM
  #4  
maytag906's Avatar
maytag906
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Northern Indiana USA
You might also have to take the midship bearing loose, if there is one.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:45 PM
  #5  
Gigemags05's Avatar
Gigemags05
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
There are no u bolts on the yolk. The joints are pressed in.

I am just trying to get the ujoint free of the yolk coming out of the transmission.

I didn't do anything to the rear of the driveshaft where it connects to the rear differential because I didn't see how it would help.

Here is a picture:





 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:49 PM
  #6  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
The yoke is splined into the tranny. Pull the driveshaft off the rear axle and slide the shaft and yoke rearward. It'll come right off.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:51 PM
  #7  
khadma's Avatar
khadma
Carpenter Local 745
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Club FTE Silver Member

Release the entire driveshaft off of the truck.

Separating the yoke should be easier while apart from the truck.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:52 PM
  #8  
khadma's Avatar
khadma
Carpenter Local 745
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Club FTE Silver Member

With the driveshaft off, you might be able to use more force to remove the

u joint, even if you need to use a vise or a press.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:52 PM
  #9  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
He is just trying to get the tranny out. So there's no need to disassemble the yoke. Just slide it out of the tranny.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:53 PM
  #10  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Or, for that matter, leave it there and pull the tranny out forward.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 06:57 PM
  #11  
khadma's Avatar
khadma
Carpenter Local 745
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Gary Lewis
He is just trying to get the tranny out. So there's no need to disassemble the yoke. Just slide it out of the tranny.
Yep, I had to re read the post with the pictures.

Cut the driveshaft then!
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 07:05 PM
  #12  
Gigemags05's Avatar
Gigemags05
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: Denton, TX
I knew I was missing something obvious. I am still very much a rookie.

As usual, you all have been very helpful. I'll pull it off and put it in a press to get the joint off. Thank you very much.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 07:07 PM
  #13  
Gary Lewis's Avatar
Gary Lewis
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Welcome. You'll be amazed at how easy it comes off, but put a container under the rear of the tranny as you'll lose some ATF.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 07:08 PM
  #14  
firegod33's Avatar
firegod33
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Grand Junction, CO
Like was said. Unbolt from the rear dif and slide the yoke out of the tranny. 2-3 minute operation.
 
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2014 | 08:15 PM
  #15  
ZombiePopper's Avatar
ZombiePopper
Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 2
From: Kansas
Just for future reference if you ever have to replace the u joints on your propshaft;
Pull the c clips,
Get a couple hardened sockets the same diameter as the u joint cap and set it against the cap and smack it with a hammer a couple times and the caps should pop right off then just tilt the u joint out.
To install the new one just slide the new u joint in as far as you can by hand, install the new caps (being careful not to drop the caps or the needle bearings could fall out) and use a couple sockets to hold one cap and smack the other socket in the other cap into to place, install the new clips.
Done it hundreds of times like that and works like a charm everytime.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE