How do i remove U-joints from aluminum driveshaft ??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
How do i remove U-joints from aluminum driveshaft ??
Yesterday I tried to get these U-joints out but because it's an aluminum driveshaft I did not want to press too much... I used a big C-clamp and a little heat, U-joint did not move at all...
I did not have any problems when I did the U-joints on the Corvette (used same method, C-clamp and sockets)
.... didn't see any clips holding the cup in place ...wtf ????
Edit:
just did my 'homework' and searched the www for more info on these U-joints. It seems GM used a nylon pin to secure them in the driveshaft. This pin has to be melted, then the Ujoint can be pressed out.
Well.... my new U-joints came with new clips, no new nylon pin. Oh well.... the old U-joints are still good... I'll leave the new ones on my shelf until the old ones go bad.....
I did not have any problems when I did the U-joints on the Corvette (used same method, C-clamp and sockets)
.... didn't see any clips holding the cup in place ...wtf ????
Edit:
just did my 'homework' and searched the www for more info on these U-joints. It seems GM used a nylon pin to secure them in the driveshaft. This pin has to be melted, then the Ujoint can be pressed out.
Well.... my new U-joints came with new clips, no new nylon pin. Oh well.... the old U-joints are still good... I'll leave the new ones on my shelf until the old ones go bad.....
Last edited by MYBAD79; May 8, 2006 at 01:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Yesterday I tried to get these U-joints out but because it's an aluminum driveshaft I did not want to press too much... I used a big C-clamp and a little heat, U-joint did not move at all...
I did not have any problems when I did the U-joints on the Corvette (used same method, C-clamp and sockets)
.... didn't see any clips holding the cup in place ...wtf ????
I did not have any problems when I did the U-joints on the Corvette (used same method, C-clamp and sockets)
.... didn't see any clips holding the cup in place ...wtf ????
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by pws69
Aren't there clips on the INSIDE of the cups (toward the center of the UJoint) ?
The front U-joint is pressed into the driveshaft and the tranny yoke, no bolts, no clips....
I guess I'll take some photos tonight.... I'm not worried about the Ujoints falling out, this is how it's been for the past 90K miles and it doesn't look like the U-joints were ever replaced. I just want to find out what's holding them in place....
BTW, this is on a '99 Z28 (at least a Chevy)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Only on the rear Ujoint I found two clips on the inside. That's on the two cups that are bolted to the differential yoke.
The front U-joint is pressed into the driveshaft and the tranny yoke, no bolts, no clips....
I guess I'll take some photos tonight.... I'm not worried about the Ujoints falling out, this is how it's been for the past 90K miles and it doesn't look like the U-joints were ever replaced. I just want to find out what's holding them in place....
BTW, this is on a '99 Z28 (at least a Chevy)
The front U-joint is pressed into the driveshaft and the tranny yoke, no bolts, no clips....
I guess I'll take some photos tonight.... I'm not worried about the Ujoints falling out, this is how it's been for the past 90K miles and it doesn't look like the U-joints were ever replaced. I just want to find out what's holding them in place....
BTW, this is on a '99 Z28 (at least a Chevy)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by pws69
I still find it hard to believe that there are no clips. Last U-Joints I did were in my '98 Tahoe (sometimes I miss that thing!) and there were clips in them, but hard to dig out.
... well.... to answer my own question; GM ....nylon pins are cheaper than metal clips
If they could they would have used a Velcro strip...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Hummm I hope the velcro string doesn't unravel and get twirled up in my trany yoke...I'm sure I'll find that bubba installed the aftermarket GM velcro straps on my driveshaft, he couldn't do anything else right... why start there!! bastad!!!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
The nylon pins you're talking about aren't really pins. What you are looking at is the hole/s that the manufacturer injects liquified nylon. The inner circumference of the u-joint socket on the yolk has a groove in it and the cap has one that corresponds with it. When the nylon is injected it hardens and the joint is solid. To get it out without bending the yolk, you heat the yolk (I use a propane torch so I don't melt the aluminum) and when it gets hot enough it will squiggle 
out. Just make sure you wear goggles as I have seen this stuff pop out with enough force to really sting and it's hot! Then you would remove the joint with your C clamp or U-joint tool. The replacement joints will have clips to hold them in. Internal or external.
JJ
out. Just make sure you wear goggles as I have seen this stuff pop out with enough force to really sting and it's hot! Then you would remove the joint with your C clamp or U-joint tool. The replacement joints will have clips to hold them in. Internal or external.JJ
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