Drive shaft U joints
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: American Canyon Ca
Drive shaft U joints
I just replaced The drive shaft U joints on my 74 with heavyduty ones. They seem a little stiff, I can move them by hand and they don't bind but they don't move freely. Is this normal? Used a vise and then a socket/hammer to seat them in. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
U Joint Replacement
One of the most frequently screwed up repair jobs ever attempted. Hammers, sockets, presses, vices, and whatever have been used over and over in an attempt to replace U joints in back alleys and or even in costly repair facilities. They actually most of the time come apart very easy and if the drive shafts are "cleaned" and preped as new with all the dirt and rust removed, easily installed with only a hammer. And not a BFH either. And yes, they should move easily. A suggestion they will get better with use is that in reality, they are only wearing out all over again. 
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 60
From: USA
you need to make sure the u-joint cups are fully seated against the retaining clips. otherwise the u-joint cups are pressing the needle bearings inwards, and/or wearing against the u-joint cross. this can be done very carefully in a vise, very carefully. usually, when you press the u-joint cups into their bores, it may be pushed in a little too much in our enthusiasm to ensure adequate clearance for the retaining clips. at the other extreme, you need to make sure the u-joint retaining clips aren't bowed out, which then means they're pushing against the clips too much (not in enough), more likely for the clips to pop out. I think the margin for error is in the ten-thousandths, my guess. it is a tedious process to get it "just right". but it has to be done correctly.
