U joint help
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Tuned
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 317
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From: Richmond, VA
U joint help
I've deduced my rear u joint is bad, I bought the replacement parts (2 u joints) so I can do the front and rear. Can someone talk me through the process of replacing them? I need to replace them tomorrow, so any help at all is incredibly helpful.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 184
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From: Garden City
The easiest way is to do this job on a press. If you don't have access to a press, then you can do this job with a heavy hammer and a very solid surface. Either way, you will need sockets or small pieces of pipe that fit both within the diameter of the u-joint cap and some that the cap fits into and still be able to catch the ear of the driveshaft and yoke.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 184
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From: Garden City
When removing the old joints, tap the cap toward the middle to release pressure on the snap ring. Wear eye protection when removing the snap ring, sometimes they break and pieces can fly out at unpredictable angles.
After snap rings are removed, press/hammer the joint until the opposite cap comes out, then turn over and press the other cap out.
Clean the surfaces as good as you can before installing the new joint.
After snap rings are removed, press/hammer the joint until the opposite cap comes out, then turn over and press the other cap out.
Clean the surfaces as good as you can before installing the new joint.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
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From: Garden City
While you don't have to be real gentle during the removal, you need to pay attention during assembly because sometimes the needle bearings will fall and lay across the end of the cap. Before you remove the cap, note its position on the u-joint. If you can't get the cap to the same position, you have had a needle fall in and you will have to take it apart enough to reposition the needle back into place.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
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From: Garden City
Tape the caps that you are not working on until their turn.
Remove the caps that you are going to install and make sure there is enough grease to hold them in place and that they are all correctly positioned.
With the cap open end up, place the u-joint inside the ears and place the cap back on the u-joint shaft, then while holding the cap and joint as close together as possible (this keeps the needles from falling), turn it over and press/hammer the cap in far enough to extend the opposite shaft out far enough so you can put the cap on it in the same manner as the first side.
Remove the caps that you are going to install and make sure there is enough grease to hold them in place and that they are all correctly positioned.
With the cap open end up, place the u-joint inside the ears and place the cap back on the u-joint shaft, then while holding the cap and joint as close together as possible (this keeps the needles from falling), turn it over and press/hammer the cap in far enough to extend the opposite shaft out far enough so you can put the cap on it in the same manner as the first side.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 184
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From: Garden City
Press/hammer the second cap in until you can release the u-joint without fear of letting the needles fall in. At this point you should be able to move the joint from side to side and check for fallen needle bearings. Install the new spring clip on the first side, then finish driving the second cap until you can install the second clip.
Repeat as many times as necessary. Good luck.
Repeat as many times as necessary. Good luck.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 13
See if the parts store will loan you a c-press. One of the handiest tools I have for u-joint work. Clamp it in my vise take the clips out holding the caps in and use the press to push the caps out of the yoke.
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