u-joints, installation
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 87
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From: stuart, florida
u-joints, installation
does anyone have a guide to the u-joints installation for a 79. i,m having them all replaced, but i'll be out of town. i want my mechanic to have a plan, and i also want to check when i get back. thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
Re: u-joints, installation (junkyardkid)
Not really much you can tell him on this subject as replacing Ujoints is a very common type of replacement for a mechanic and he likely has his own way of doing it. I personaly use a vice and two sockets. ( I have a 20 ton press 3 ft away from vice.) The one caution is if your using a ujoint with a grease zerk the installer has to know which way to face the hole so you can grease the fitting after instalation. :)
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: u-joints, installation (junkyardkid)
If your mechanic has not done a vet before he can get into trouble with the 2 outer half shaft joints. The outer half shaft joints are pressed into a flimsy flange that can easily get bent if trying to press the old joint out. To press this joint out the flange should be bolted to a plate specially made to support this delicate flange.
I personally do not press old u joints out but cut them with a torch then use a air chissel to walk the old cups off. I then polish u joint flange and with the shaft held in the vise and a brass hammer and well lubed, deburred flange walk the new joint in.
No force is used and my u joints last. Any time extreme force is used to remove replace a u joint deformation takes place and the joint will not last.
I personally do not press old u joints out but cut them with a torch then use a air chissel to walk the old cups off. I then polish u joint flange and with the shaft held in the vise and a brass hammer and well lubed, deburred flange walk the new joint in.
No force is used and my u joints last. Any time extreme force is used to remove replace a u joint deformation takes place and the joint will not last.
