Universal Joint
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: Foxboro Ma
Universal Joint
I am hoping that someone may give me a some help replacing a Universal Joint. I have never replaced one and althought it does not appear to be difficult I don't want to assume it is easy and would rather ask for help please...
Last night I was replacing my pumpkin and when I went to attach the driveshaft the ends came off the universal joint and next thing I see the needle bearings falling out...
Is there anything special I should look for when purchasing a new universal joint ?
Any tricks to installing it ?
I noticed that the U bolts are different sizes, is this typical ?
Should I use standard 80-90 weight oil and add the posi fluid first ?
Thanks very much for any help...
Best regards, John
Last night I was replacing my pumpkin and when I went to attach the driveshaft the ends came off the universal joint and next thing I see the needle bearings falling out...
Is there anything special I should look for when purchasing a new universal joint ?
Any tricks to installing it ?
I noticed that the U bolts are different sizes, is this typical ?
Should I use standard 80-90 weight oil and add the posi fluid first ?
Thanks very much for any help...
Best regards, John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Last night I was replacing my pumpkin and when I went to attach the driveshaft the ends came off the universal joint and next thing I see the needle bearings falling out...
Is there anything special I should look for when purchasing a new universal joint ?
Any tricks to installing it ?
I noticed that the U bolts are different sizes, is this typical ?
Should I use standard 80-90 weight oil and add the posi fluid first ?
Best regards, John
Is there anything special I should look for when purchasing a new universal joint ?
Any tricks to installing it ?
I noticed that the U bolts are different sizes, is this typical ?
Should I use standard 80-90 weight oil and add the posi fluid first ?
Best regards, John
Clean old the cross carefully and look at the surface. It should be uniformly smooth and shiny. If there are indentations from needles, or any galling on the surface, the joint should be replaced.
If you decide to buy a new ujoint, wrap tape around it when installing to keep the new needle bearings off the floor.
You can use a large vise or a small hydraulic press to install joints in the driveshaft or swing axles. You can use ratchet sockets to push the caps and support the cross (while catching the pushed cap).
I would use 2 of the same size ubolts to prevent imbalance.
I always use GM diff fluid and GM posi additive.
Some people prefer joints sans zerk fittings, because they believe them to be stronger. I use the joints with zerk fittings (for ease of maintenance) and the dozen or so joints that I have replaced on my car in the last 20 years have all been due to indentations in the cross - probably caused by hard starts and power shifts - having too much fun.
Last edited by magicv8; May 2, 2008 at 09:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: Foxboro Ma
Thank you very much for all of the great information.
I am now not sure if I have all of the needle bearings because of the mess it made when I did not know to use tape to hold it in place. I will have to look and see what I have.
So if I understand what you are saying...I need to pull the driveshaft out and use a vise to replace the joint ???
I can not do it under the car ?
It appears like there are a couple of clips that if removed would allow the U joint to be moved but this is obviously not a correct observation...
I may try to see if I have all the needle bearing and go from there...this should have been a simple job and I messed it all up due to lack of knowledge...thanks again..
I am now not sure if I have all of the needle bearings because of the mess it made when I did not know to use tape to hold it in place. I will have to look and see what I have.
So if I understand what you are saying...I need to pull the driveshaft out and use a vise to replace the joint ???
I can not do it under the car ?
It appears like there are a couple of clips that if removed would allow the U joint to be moved but this is obviously not a correct observation...
I may try to see if I have all the needle bearing and go from there...this should have been a simple job and I messed it all up due to lack of knowledge...thanks again..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
Remove the shaft to replace the joint.
Using google:
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity.../aa102602a.htm
This web page has a picture of using a vise to do it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1272541.html
Using google:
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity.../aa102602a.htm
This web page has a picture of using a vise to do it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1272541.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: Foxboro Ma
May be a dumb question but I have to ask...
Will the shaft slide out of the transmission and back in with out to much difficulty ?
I am at work so I can't look at it right now and am curious if this is difficult or easy ?
Thanks again...the pictures and description were very herlpful...
Will the shaft slide out of the transmission and back in with out to much difficulty ?
I am at work so I can't look at it right now and am curious if this is difficult or easy ?
Thanks again...the pictures and description were very herlpful...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,755
Likes: 1
From: eastern Pa
St. Jude Donor '05-'08-'09
i did mine about a week ago i used a vise to hold the shaft and a c-clamp and sockets to press the new joint out and in. DO be aware that the grease fitting should point in toward the center of the car or else you wont be able to get a grease gun on them ( my car anyway) and i purchased new u bolts and nuts for about 4.00 at the parts store
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,529
Likes: 1,964
From: Temple Terrace Florida
U Joint
I replaced the six U joints on both of my cars. I took the three shafts from each car to a driveshaft shop and had the shafts sand blasted, joints replaced, balanced and painted for under $125. The shop replaced them all with Spicer joints. It took all of two hours of shop time. Jerry
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove California
I bookmarked a site that has a good step by step guide with pictures on how to do this. I think it was at Corvette Magazine on line. There is a technical section and one of the choices is u- joint replacement. I can look when I get home tonight, but you might see it you can search and find it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 10
From: Dallas TX
I bookmarked a site that has a good step by step guide with pictures on how to do this. I think it was at Corvette Magazine on line. There is a technical section and one of the choices is u- joint replacement. I can look when I get home tonight, but you might see it you can search and find it.
Tons of good articles on this site....
