U joints
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
U joints
How much pressure should it take to press in new u joints? I am installing new ones on my halfshafts and it seems to be taking way to much force to get them in. Also, when I went to press them into the flange that mounts to the rear spindle, it took so much force that the flange actually bent. Obviously this isn't right. Any input?
Thanks,
Bryan
Thanks,
Bryan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I bent and had to replace a halfshaft flange once when I just "kept banging" it
to get it out. Didn't occur to me that it would bend.
On your question, first make GD sure that you have it going in straight. On replacement u-joints, I take fine sandpaper and clean up the inside of the joint before I start pressing them in. I use a regular bench vice. And yes, if you need "a lot" of pressure, it probably isn't going in perfectly straight.
I think I may remember seeing a photo of a "support type" device to support the inside of the flange during pressing new ones in.
to get it out. Didn't occur to me that it would bend.On your question, first make GD sure that you have it going in straight. On replacement u-joints, I take fine sandpaper and clean up the inside of the joint before I start pressing them in. I use a regular bench vice. And yes, if you need "a lot" of pressure, it probably isn't going in perfectly straight.
I think I may remember seeing a photo of a "support type" device to support the inside of the flange during pressing new ones in.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Just use the four bolt pattern of the flange and drill and tap four holes in a thick steel plate. Bolt the flange to the plate and this will help keep it from bending and distorting as you press in the caps. As mentioned use a light grit paper or emery and make sure the bores are free of corrosion and make sure there are no knurls or knots that will prevent the cap from sliding in straight.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
you can bolt the 2 flanges together 90 degrees apart and then they will not bend when pressing on the joint, this saves you from fabricating a thick steel sheet. press both joints in then unbolt and press each individual onto your half shaft. if it is bent now, it might be ruined. try to straighten it out.
sand off the inside of the surface and lightly grease it. it should go in with light pressure.
good luck finding a vise that will open it's jaws big enough. I used a 75$ harbor freight press.. get you one of these.. it is a lifetime tool you won't regret getting.
sand off the inside of the surface and lightly grease it. it should go in with light pressure.
good luck finding a vise that will open it's jaws big enough. I used a 75$ harbor freight press.. get you one of these.. it is a lifetime tool you won't regret getting.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 84
From: New Boston, NH
Thanks for the replies. With the advice from you all I managed to get one completed. The other flange was not salvageable so I guess it is off to the for sale side to see if someone has a spare out there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
) but sometimes those presses (If you're talking about the big floor presses like this:http://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a...ress-1666.html
are a lot less forgiving than a vice. With a vice you can "feel" if the joint is being pressed in correctly. The HF ball joint set
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-...kit-38335.html
(which is priced out much less when they have a coupon) really comes in handy for u-joints. And you really don't need a giant sized vice.
This is when I did driveshaft joints in the Corvette
And when I did DS joints in my wifes '79 Camaro
Last edited by TWINRAY; Feb 28, 2012 at 11:47 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
this thread is the perfect illustration of how not to install U-joints...properly prepared axles and driveshafts can be assembled in your hand....without a vice, but they can help for holding the axle or shaft....never drive a U-joint cap in to push the other side out, you wind up bending the yoke as the one above has already....or probably has a needle in sideways and will never go together correctly....the story here tomorrow will be 'cheap U-joints as the problem. Not so, and any brand can wind up the same fuked up way.....there a simple job and I can understand why one would try the repair but I have also seen the bad results...done correctly it is a easy job....we have fixed and sold hundreds from my Dad`s parts store...and we have seen it all.....
