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okay folks starting to think after about 178k miles my u-joints might need replacement.
been doing research on these staked in u-joints and I have actually read where some folks just press them out with a large hydraulic press (which I have access to at work).
they press the cups past the stakes and then cut the rest of the u-joint out.
Saw a thread a couiple years ago referring to use of a cutter tool in drill to erase the stake, then cross was replaced as normally done using special size joint supplied in kit.
Others look for drive shafts with clips holding caps in, my '07 has such.
well got out there and started on it. got the old shaft out and began working on getting the new unit installed. (FYI...if you are going to do this...go at it from the passenger side...the gas tank and my belly became close friends...and I did have it on jack stands )
ran into this...
the old unit is hollow...new unit has a blind hole...not sure if I can go with a spacer or what...but instead I contacted the seller on ebay sending them the same pics and see what they say. I figure they have a different yoke piece and will just ship me that. I can put that on no problem.
Just to relay my experience. I was able to press out my old staked in u-joints. I figured that I could just match up a replacement u-joint at the parts store. I was wrong. there is NO off the shelf u-joint that fits our staked in style drive shaft. I have a milling machine, so I was able to machine the yokes to accept a standard u-joint, but it was WAY more effort than what it was worth.
How was the balance afterward Andy?
I am worried about that and the main reason why I went with a new driveshaft.
I finally have the parts and just need to get the weekend "window of opportunity" to arrive. lol
Also the company that I got the new driveshaft from instead of sending me the yoke piece simply comp'd me the cost of the parts to my paypal account. Same same to me.
I recently pressed out the staked in U-Joints in my 2006 SCrew 4x4. I used the Balljoint U-Joint Press from Autozone (Rental), 1/2" Impact (borrowed a buddy's Snap On), put the shaft in a big vise, and worked the joints back and forth. Got them pressed out without cutting anything. Used a round file to smooth out the stake points. Pressed in Spicer 5-178X's. Full disclosure, I did bend the **** out of a Harbor Freight press on the first joint.
I recently pressed out the staked in U-Joints in my 2006 SCrew 4x4. I used the Balljoint U-Joint Press from Autozone (Rental), 1/2" Impact (borrowed a buddy's Snap On), put the shaft in a big vise, and worked the joints back and forth. Got them pressed out without cutting anything. Used a round file to smooth out the stake points. Pressed in Spicer 5-178X's. Full disclosure, I did bend the **** out of a Harbor Freight press on the first joint.
Any spacers? Just a direct fit after pressing the old one out?
I just replaced my shaft late September after seeing those darn stakes, and the oem replacement joints were 80 a piece from my research. They come with a tool to cut the stakes and each cap needs to be shimmed with a supplied shim in the kit. After all that I wondered if I wouldn’t have had to bring it somewhere to be balanced. Screw all that when a New complete shaft with greaseable joints 350.
)
lol
