I need to replace my first U-Joint on my drive shaft. My truck is a supercab longbed so there are three. It is the front (Closest to the tranny). I Already bought my replacement but I know nothing about them and how to install them. Any one have any tips or anything? Also, what tools might I need. (I'm looking at a hynes manual later but still.)

 

The tools I would have handy are a good pair of needle-nose pliers, or snap-ring pliers, (depending on the type of retainers that are used), a nice big C-Clamp (or bench vice if you remove the whole driveline) to press the new caps into the yokes, a medium size ball peen hammer, and a small diameter punch.

You'll need to work the joint to one side of the yoke, pressing the bearing cap out, then work it the other way pressing the other side out. Repeat for both yokes. When you get the caps out far enough on each yoke, the centerpiece should pull out, then you finish removing the caps.

When it is time to put the new joint in, just make sure that you are careful not to dislodge any of the needle rollers in the new caps. Otherwise, it can be a real bear to find them, clean them, regrease them, and put them back in. Also, be careful not to cut, or damage the rubber grease seals on each cap, or it won't last long.

Reverse the removal procedure, install the retainer clips, grease it, and you should be good to go.

Edit: It is usually much easier to do this after removing the driveshaft from the truck. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if you can actually do it without removing the driveline.

 

Thanks for the heads-up and info. If I do take it all out, should I go and replace all of them? They seem tight but...

 

My take would be that it is cheap insurance to do them all at once. However, my way of doing things, and pocket books, don't always fall in line.

 

haha, alrighty then. Thanks for the advice.

 

No problem. Just make sure that you are patient, and don't get frustrated. Even the simplest jobs always seem to be able to present a gotcha you weren't expecting.

 

I don't have a press and this is something that is easier done with one, So I choose to have someone with a press do them.

That last time I had it done it cost me 12bux to do 2 joints, it also started a relationship with the shop and now they just tell me "I ain't doing YOUR blanking work!", and I wander over to whatever it is and do it myself.

The moral of the story, If I had not been willing to spend that 12bux a great relationship would not of developed thats been mutually benificial finacially as well as personally.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Yeah, I had to buy a second joint because I messed up the first one pushing it together. The outer ends weren't square or something and they bimded up. So I got a new one and going to drill out the shaft holes a little bigger this time.

 

shaft holes??? dont drill anything on the yokes if thats what you are doing!!.. i usually de burr and lightly sand inside the yokes before i put it all back together, it helps alot

 

I may be a little late, but I recommend getting new u-joints with zerk fittings so you can grease them once in awhile.

 

Like FORUM155PL says above, don't drill any part of the yokes! Some sandpaper, or emery cloth, should take care of any existing corrosion, or paint that is in the way. The joint caps need to fit very snugly in the yokes. If they won't fit without drilling, make sure you got the correct part from the parts store.

I hope this does not come across as condescending, but, this is where the patience comes in. You need to carefully get the end caps started (using the hammer lightly, and evenly), and then gently, but firmly, press them into the yokes using the clamp, vise, or press (as suggested above).

 

I did not get my editing done on my previous post before time expired. So here is what I want to add to it:

If you created a burr getting it apart, then remove the burr with a file, but don't take off any more metal than absolutely necessary.

Get the first end cap started using the hammer, clamp, vise, or press, (lightly, and evenly - this is the tricky part where it is easy to lose the needle bearings), and then gently press it into the yoke, using the clamp, vise, or press.

When you have the inside of the first cap in to where it is flush with the inside of the yoke, insert the u-joint center cross, and press the cap in to where the cap is flush with the outside of the yoke.

From the other side, get the cap started in the yoke, and press it down until the u-joint center cross is almost into the cap.

Then, carefully slide the center cross part-way into the second cap. Make sure that the cross is still in the other cap so the needle bearings stay in place in both caps.

At this point, you should be able to squeeze the caps together, and force them home in the yokes. You can use a socket, or washers, to press the caps past the flush point, as long as they are pretty close to the diameter of the caps. (Obviously, they can't be bigger, but if they are not big enough, too much force could damage the cap.)

Then, put in the retainer clips, and repeat for the other half of the joint.