U-Joint refresher course....

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Aug 6, 2006 | 03:58 PM

fotyfobravo

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,909

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From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster

U-Joint refresher course....

OK....I admit that I turned 52 today....

.....BUT.....I have replaced U-Joints before....(20+ years ago).....So before I start beating on this halfshaft.....

.....could someone remind me on how these dudes come apart. I have removed the old clips and have put the hammer away until I get a reminder.

Thanks.........

Aug 6, 2006 | 04:24 PM

marshrat99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,135

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From: Dayton Oh

I've used my shop vise and press them out using a couple of old sockets, one very large on the back side and one smaller than the U-joint to push it thru.

Aug 6, 2006 | 04:51 PM

rcread

Race Director

Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Duvall, WA

Spray it with your favorite lubricant first (ie WD40) and be very careful with the flange. It bends real easily. You can make or buy a flange reinforcement plate like this if you want to be safe:
http://www.micro-controls.com/cartools-rplate.html

Aug 6, 2006 | 05:21 PM

chris73cpe

Pro

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 627

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From: Naperville IL

if you don't have a big enough bench vise, autozone rents a u-joint tool that is just a big c-clamp you can put a socket or impact gun on. they come loose with a pretty loud pop. I just used the axle flange from the trailing arm to keep the half-shaft flange from bending, but I had those off the car and apart at the time, so it wasn't any extra work.

Aug 6, 2006 | 05:40 PM

fotyfobravo

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,909

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From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster

That's what s wrong.....I actually forgot that they have to be pressed out. I no longer have that HUGE vice that I used to have in the previous house. Damn...I shoulda kept that. Thanks for the replies.....there is a pretty good Bubba shop just down the road from me....I think I will just have him install them. He's good for basic bolt turning and turning drums or rotors.....but I wouldn't leave my Vette with him. I'm betting about 20 bucks...??

Aug 6, 2006 | 05:57 PM

Duke94

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2001

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From: Ann Arbor Michigan

As I recall doing mine a few years ago, you better remove the mate from the wheel end and bolt it to the 1/2 shaft (or make a heavy duty plate) or you may crack the thin casting (on the left end of your picture) pushing out the U-joint.

Aug 7, 2006 | 08:08 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Crossville TN

If there is some corrosion on the flanges, you want to use a light hammer to rap (not beat!) on the sides of the bearing journals as you are applying force to push them out. The bearing caps get pretty well stuck in there with rust and all. Tapping on them as you press them out causes the corrosion to break down that free them up. It doesn't take much of a rap; a hammer can generate lots of impact with a light rap.

Aug 7, 2006 | 09:44 PM

b71vette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 1,043

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From: Va

I agree with rcread be real careful with the flnages, definitely reinforce them before trying to force out the u-joint caps. I bent mine on small press and had to replace them.