U joint replacement time
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 114
U joint replacement time
I’ve never done a u joint and I lost one of the pins in the needle bearing, so I’m replacing the u joint. How long should it take me?
I’ll probably end up using the hammer method.
I’ll probably end up using the hammer method.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
How long it will take you is subject to several variables. The quality of this job (doing it right) is much more important. Watch a video to make sure you know what you are doing and take notes and have a plan. Get all your tools ready and you probably will need a grease gun if you got the ones with fittings. Then you can maintain them as needed. Do not over fill the grease. When you see it start to come out, stop. Make your marks so you know how to reassemble properly. Sorry if you knew all this but it needs to be done right.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 114
I got grease and all that for it. How should I mark everything? I didn’t realize the driveshafts are balanced when I first took the driveshaft out a while ago. So I may need to rotate that around till it’s right. I haven’t driven it since the first time I took it out so it may be balanced I’m not sure.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
Since you have already removed it and replaced it, I am not sure how you would make sure it is on properly now. So marking is not important until you know the shaft is installed properly. Hopefully someone that knows will chime in and tell you. I wouldn't do anything until you are sure it is right and ready to be marked for removal to do the u joints. . .
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
That's interesting. Are you talking about where you use a vise as a sort of split anvil and use a soft face hammer to hit on the drive shaft to drive the old U-joint rounds out? If so, I thought I was the only one who used that method. I always use the hammer method.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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I’m just going to hit the u joint until I can pull the needle bearing off and do the same for the other side. The other option in the video I watched was using a press with the impact. I don’t have a press so I’ll just use a hammer.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Houston/Sugar Land
Do you know how to realign the driveshaft since he didn't mark it when he took it off recently? Post 3 starts his issue
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
No I don't. I think in most cases it really isn't necessary. The only thing to worry about would be if the new U-joint has a zerk make sure it points either front or back as necessary so it can be re greased later as needed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 633
From: Houston/Sugar Land
OK Thank you.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2023
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If it vibrates can’t I just rotate it 180 degrees and reattach it to the yolk?
I’ll find some tools I can use to use the hammer method successfully. Or I’ll buy them if I don’t have them. If I can find a press I’ll use it. The previous owner didn’t clean his tools out so I got a box of random tools.
I’ll find some tools I can use to use the hammer method successfully. Or I’ll buy them if I don’t have them. If I can find a press I’ll use it. The previous owner didn’t clean his tools out so I got a box of random tools.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
Yes that would certainly be the thing to try first.
It sounds like you are doing a rear U-joint so you only have to remove 2 parts from the driveshaft, correct?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,422
Likes: 5,507
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
timing a driveshaft is only an issue with two piece shafts.
i learned a long long time ago the "hammer method" of u joints tends to do more harm than good.
a vice with two sockets works much better. use a socket slightly larger than the joint cup on one side, and a socket slightly smaller than the cup on the other side.
the smaller socket will press the joint into the larger socket as you close the vice enabling you to remove the cups.
to put it back together, use the smaller socket to gently press the cup back into the driveshaft on both sides.
i learned a long long time ago the "hammer method" of u joints tends to do more harm than good.
a vice with two sockets works much better. use a socket slightly larger than the joint cup on one side, and a socket slightly smaller than the cup on the other side.
the smaller socket will press the joint into the larger socket as you close the vice enabling you to remove the cups.
to put it back together, use the smaller socket to gently press the cup back into the driveshaft on both sides.