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Trying to change my u-joints and having a problem getting the snap rings out. Been spaying them with PB and liquid wrench since this morning and so far I snapped 2 of the wings off.
Was wondering if someone knows any tricks to getting these out ?
With out messing up the groove for the new ones.
It's a 99 f150 4x4 rear drive shaft and these things are pretty rusted.
You can place a socket that is slightly smaller than the boss against the snap ring and then wack it with a hammer. THis will loosen the corrosion in the groove.
I always spin them around in the groove, that will loosen them up enough to unsnap. If you can't do that then take a screw driver and a hammer and use them to pop each side loose. I am guessing you live in the rust belt though as I have never had much of a problem even with 17 year old stock U joints. If all else fails use some heat to break the rust loose.
I had a lot of struggling as well. I soaked them with lube and just kept trying to squeeze the tabs with needle nose pliers and put a small flat screwdriver between the ring and the yoke and pry them out. After you get the rings and bearing caps out, a dental tool works great to get the rust and corrosion out of the groove without wrecking them.
Good Luck
Scott
A snap ring tool may help if you haven't tried using that for future reference. I recently had to do mine and the hardest part for me was gettign the cups out. ended up taking an air grinder to them for about 10 minutes.
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