Putting the half shafts back together
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 569
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From: phoenix az
Putting the half shafts back together
I bought a whole set of heavy duty u-joints for the rear half shafts. They were a bugger to get out but I'm finding that putting them back in is quite the challenge. I had a needle bearing fall over and when I drove the new joint back out to fix the problem, the needle bearing was shattered. What is the right way to put new u-joints in. I've done driveshafts before and didn't seem to have this much trouble.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 231
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From: Cedar City UT
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (BubbaJJ)
The half shaft flanges are very delicate and must be supported or damage will occur. Use a 5/16 or thicker piece of plate steel with 4 holes drilled to bolt up and support the flange. If you happen to have an old axle flange that willwork perfectly. What makes everything difficult is that the flange bends and binds the u joint as you try to press it out or in. Also clean up the half shaft and flange holes of any burs or corrosion
LOL BOB
LOL BOB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (Desertvette)
Every time I do half shafts at least one gives me trouble. Everyone thinks these are easy until they try it themselves. A friend of mine broke TWO big vises trying to do his and ended up cutting the joint out. The last set I did, I used an arbor press at work . This went a lot smoother and we didn't trap any needles under the cap. Just licky I guess. Hang in there, you'll get it. NO :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: either.
[Modified by silvervetteman, 8:34 PM 6/17/2002]
[Modified by silvervetteman, 8:34 PM 6/17/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (subboz)
The last time I tried to find some place to do that, everyplace said they didn't do Corvette half shafts. I tried quite a few places.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Texas
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (Desertvette)
DEFINITELY do what Desertvette is saying. Those flanges will bend like butter if they are not supported. It cost me nearly a day to get mine straightened out. I bought some stoke steel and made the backing plate. Once I had the plate everything went smoothly.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (BubbaJJ)
If you are using a press you definitly need the backing plate to prevent bending.
My son is a master of changing universal joints and he taught me. He first takes the torch and cuts the center out of the universal. He then takes the air chissel and effortlessly walks the end caps out. He then takes a small flapper wheel in the drill and polishes the bores. Then with a file he carefull depurrs everything. Then he places the 1/2 shaft in the vise, lubricates the bore and with a small brass hammer walks each cap in.
No force, no press and very quickly done.
Of course you need to buy a oxy acetylene torch and tanks, a air compressor, air chissel, drill , vise etc etc but the job sure goes easy afterwards and I can always find another use for the tools I just had to buy. :) :) :)
My son is a master of changing universal joints and he taught me. He first takes the torch and cuts the center out of the universal. He then takes the air chissel and effortlessly walks the end caps out. He then takes a small flapper wheel in the drill and polishes the bores. Then with a file he carefull depurrs everything. Then he places the 1/2 shaft in the vise, lubricates the bore and with a small brass hammer walks each cap in.
No force, no press and very quickly done.
Of course you need to buy a oxy acetylene torch and tanks, a air compressor, air chissel, drill , vise etc etc but the job sure goes easy afterwards and I can always find another use for the tools I just had to buy. :) :) :)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,620
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From: 20 forward gears to shift through in MD
Re: Putting the half shafts back together (BubbaJJ)
I have learned that the best way to keep the roller bearings in place is to add more grease to the bearings in the cap. Even though they have grease to start with, the added grease smeared over the bearings helps keep them in place.
