U-Joint removal at Diff
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
U-Joint removal at Diff
My C3 is showing a little age in the suspension department, and I have at least one failing u-joint (it spits out grease like a spoiled 1 year old spits out strained carrots).
The problem I have is trying to find the trick for getting the bolts off the u-joint bolts closest to the differential. Anyone have an expertise or suggestions how to defeat it? It's a 77 and the bolts are pretty heavily rusted ..
Thanks in advance.
Brian.
The problem I have is trying to find the trick for getting the bolts off the u-joint bolts closest to the differential. Anyone have an expertise or suggestions how to defeat it? It's a 77 and the bolts are pretty heavily rusted ..
Thanks in advance.
Brian.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 71
From: Umeå Sweden
did mine last weekend but i hadnt that much rust on them.
i turned the axle so i could get the best torque to get the nust loose,went great i had it on the bench after 20 mins
just get the box end firmly on the nut so you dont slip and damage the
nut and spray it with rust penetrating oil before you start also
i turned the axle so i could get the best torque to get the nust loose,went great i had it on the bench after 20 mins
just get the box end firmly on the nut so you dont slip and damage the
nut and spray it with rust penetrating oil before you start also
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by stingraymaniac
did mine last weekend but i hadnt that much rust on them.
i turned the axle so i could get the best torque to get the nust loose,went great i had it on the bench after 20 mins
just get the box end firmly on the nut so you dont slip and damage the
nut and spray it with rust penetrating oil before you start also
i turned the axle so i could get the best torque to get the nust loose,went great i had it on the bench after 20 mins
just get the box end firmly on the nut so you dont slip and damage the
nut and spray it with rust penetrating oil before you start also
I don't have the option of using the e-brake to hold the wheels ...was putting it in gear enough to keep it from turning while you torqued on it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by stingraymaniac
Have it in gear and it will stay.
I got under my car without having the wheels in the air and loosen all the bolts first,then i raised it and took the shaft out
I got under my car without having the wheels in the air and loosen all the bolts first,then i raised it and took the shaft out
Darn my frail human body!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Not sure i follow what is giving you the problem or what you have. Are the nuts the problem or is getting the 'U" bolt out of the yoke the problem. The nuts on mine were quite easy, but I did have trouble with 1 U bolt on the drivers side. I soaked it with WD40 and found a place where the nut hit the differential and I was able to back off the nut so it would push the U bolt out some what. Then resoaked it, tighten the nut, repeated the above several more times and finally the U bolt came out. The U bolt has to come out evenly, which you probably already realise. I did over-torque the nut trying to get it off, but I had new U bolts to put back in.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by mandm1200
Not sure i follow what is giving you the problem or what you have. Are the nuts the problem or is getting the 'U" bolt out of the yoke the problem. The nuts on mine were quite easy, but I did have trouble with 1 U bolt on the drivers side. I soaked it with WD40 and found a place where the nut hit the differential and I was able to back off the nut so it would push the U bolt out some what. Then resoaked it, tighten the nut, repeated the above several more times and finally the U bolt came out. The U bolt has to come out evenly, which you probably already realise. I did over-torque the nut trying to get it off, but I had new U bolts to put back in.
Brian.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Once I got the wrench on the nut, I took a breaker bar, wedged one end against the differential, and used it as a lever on the wrench. Just make sure you protect your knuckles so you don't ram them against suspension pieces when the nut lets loose.