U-strap removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
U-strap removal
Ok after cutting apart my camber arms & shock mounts that had a rusty sleeve in a rusty sleeve under the rubber and still having the take the mount out in chunks, if you know what I'm talking about. I finally take my spring off, pull the outer shaft hub bolts, then fight the 8 nuts off to have my U-straps not come out even with an air chisel! A couple cans of pen oil used so far as well.
So besides cutting the top of the strap off and driving the rest out or drilling, got any ideas? I imagine it's not a good idea to pound away on those stubs while in the rearend. I only tried one on each side with the air chisel pushing the cap end toward the wheel. If I gotta pull the housing I'll be tempted to buy new stubs, I know it could use new seals n a gasket.
Side qustion any1 know who makes a bushing to replace the crush sleeve?
edit: This was suppose to be a quick alum shaft swap, drag vette kit, shocks and fiberglass spring.
So besides cutting the top of the strap off and driving the rest out or drilling, got any ideas? I imagine it's not a good idea to pound away on those stubs while in the rearend. I only tried one on each side with the air chisel pushing the cap end toward the wheel. If I gotta pull the housing I'll be tempted to buy new stubs, I know it could use new seals n a gasket.
Side qustion any1 know who makes a bushing to replace the crush sleeve?
edit: This was suppose to be a quick alum shaft swap, drag vette kit, shocks and fiberglass spring.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
If there rusted in that tight then you need heat. If you have oxy-acet set up then heat the yoke end to remove the strap. If you only have a hand torch like a propane torch then heat the u strap to remove.
Heating the yoke will expand the metal and loosen the rust grip but heating the strap will expand the u strap to also loosen the rust grip but not as effective. Look for fuel leaks first!, don't burn your car to the ground!
P.S. Look for a buddy with a ocy-acetylene torch.
Heating the yoke will expand the metal and loosen the rust grip but heating the strap will expand the u strap to also loosen the rust grip but not as effective. Look for fuel leaks first!, don't burn your car to the ground!
P.S. Look for a buddy with a ocy-acetylene torch.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Ok after giving it some thought I got a new plan. When I was considering cutting the U part of the strap off and trying to air chisel drive them thru I would have cut them flush. Then thinking today I realized I should maybe leave some and try to twist free them up. Even better I then realized I need to weld a nut on then for some heat and then use the impact and hopefully they free right up! That's provided the U-joint cap comes out when I cut the top of the strap and I think it should. Guess I'll find out next time it's 30's or warmer.
