74 half shaft u joints
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Streamwood IL
74 half shaft u joints
Help... Replacing half shaft u-joints and got new from o'reilly but they won't push in far enough to get the 2nd clip on. Is there a trick or are these special type u-joints?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
The bent flange is frequently the problem, especially if they have been pressed apart or together without a backing plate, but a couple of other options to consider
What brand of u-joint? The spicer ones (1310x?) are basically right on the top limit for size and are a bugger to install the clips, even if the flange ins't bent. I've had to measure through different clips to find slightly thinner ones to get some to go in properly, even lightly lap a few thou. off here or there.
Is it really close to fitting? If it's off half a groove width the flange may be bent or a roller or two may have fallen into the bottom of the cap and prevent it from going all the way on
M
What brand of u-joint? The spicer ones (1310x?) are basically right on the top limit for size and are a bugger to install the clips, even if the flange ins't bent. I've had to measure through different clips to find slightly thinner ones to get some to go in properly, even lightly lap a few thou. off here or there.
Is it really close to fitting? If it's off half a groove width the flange may be bent or a roller or two may have fallen into the bottom of the cap and prevent it from going all the way on
M
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
The bent flange is frequently the problem, especially if they have been pressed apart or together without a backing plate, but a couple of other options to consider
What brand of u-joint? The spicer ones (1310x?) are basically right on the top limit for size and are a bugger to install the clips, even if the flange ins't bent. I've had to measure through different clips to find slightly thinner ones to get some to go in properly, even lightly lap a few thou. off here or there.
Is it really close to fitting? If it's off half a groove width the flange may be bent or a roller or two may have fallen into the bottom of the cap and prevent it from going all the way on
M
What brand of u-joint? The spicer ones (1310x?) are basically right on the top limit for size and are a bugger to install the clips, even if the flange ins't bent. I've had to measure through different clips to find slightly thinner ones to get some to go in properly, even lightly lap a few thou. off here or there.
Is it really close to fitting? If it's off half a groove width the flange may be bent or a roller or two may have fallen into the bottom of the cap and prevent it from going all the way on
M
OPINION:
Hopefully your u-joints are SPICER....and DO NOT have grease fitting in them.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
for what it's worth
I just did my U-joints and posted some inquiries and looked around.
Somewhere I found a post that you use GENTLE hammer persuasion to move the receptacles back toward their original distance.
The other option is to make a threaded screw spreader.
Good luck. It ain't fun when it don't go smooth.
Somewhere I found a post that you use GENTLE hammer persuasion to move the receptacles back toward their original distance.
The other option is to make a threaded screw spreader.
Good luck. It ain't fun when it don't go smooth.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
When installing Ujoints in the outer 1/2 shaft flanges you MUST! Bolt the flanges onto a reinforcing fixture or you can easily bend these parts. Even the splined companion flange can be used if your really talented and careful. The 1/2 shaft Ujoints are Spicer 1350 series joints I will only use HD Spicer parts the don't have grease fittings like GM did when building your Vette.