U-joints, what am I doing wrong?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 209
From: Loveland, CO
U-joints, what am I doing wrong?
I'm trying to remove the u-joints in my 69 big block. The drive shaft one's came out easily. I'm using a hydralic press, so it should be easy. The problem is with the half-shafts. With the press, they press out easily about 1/2 way, and then the center part of the joint runs into the casting. This leaves the cap pressed out only about 1/2 way. I don't remember this problem when previously replacing joints.
There must be something simple I have forgotten (since I am getting old). I am sure these are the original joints since the car only has 18,000 miles on it. I had hoped to just grease these and re-install. Any suggestions? :banghead:
There must be something simple I have forgotten (since I am getting old). I am sure these are the original joints since the car only has 18,000 miles on it. I had hoped to just grease these and re-install. Any suggestions? :banghead:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (rponfick)
First of all, if they don't have zerks, I don't think you want to grease them. Having just done my u-joints, I can say that I did have some trouble too. The u-joints go partly out in one direction, then you have to push the trunion back the other direction. The trunion is the center part that looks like the X. In short, to get the trunion out, you have to get both cups out half way. I hope this is what you are talking about. If not, let me know and I'll offer any other help I can.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Santo Domingo DR
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (rponfick)
I replaced mine two weeks ago. All 6 of them.
If you want to replace them this is what I did. Maybe it helps you.
Since you only get the caps 1/2 the way out, put the 1/2 part of the cap pressed on a bench press. Tighten it securely and then start turning the axle arround. If somone can assist you, he could put a large screwdriver between the axle and the press and pivot the axle up.
Once you have that side out, press the U joint on the other direction and repeat the procedure.
Watch out when reinstalling that you put a spacer inbetween the casting when pressing the new u joints in. They tend to "open" otherwise. If that happens its a pain ... to put the clip in.
Something else, try to grease the caps well prior to reinstalling, so that the bearing rollers don't fall off. Do one cap at the time and keep the u joint allways pressed against the cap. If the rollers fall off, you won't be able to put the clips in and if you are using the hydraulic press, the most common thing that happens is that the caps crack.
Good Luck and don't loose a nerve! :thumbs:
Dan
If you want to replace them this is what I did. Maybe it helps you.
Since you only get the caps 1/2 the way out, put the 1/2 part of the cap pressed on a bench press. Tighten it securely and then start turning the axle arround. If somone can assist you, he could put a large screwdriver between the axle and the press and pivot the axle up.
Once you have that side out, press the U joint on the other direction and repeat the procedure.
Watch out when reinstalling that you put a spacer inbetween the casting when pressing the new u joints in. They tend to "open" otherwise. If that happens its a pain ... to put the clip in.
Something else, try to grease the caps well prior to reinstalling, so that the bearing rollers don't fall off. Do one cap at the time and keep the u joint allways pressed against the cap. If the rollers fall off, you won't be able to put the clips in and if you are using the hydraulic press, the most common thing that happens is that the caps crack.
Good Luck and don't loose a nerve! :thumbs:
Dan
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (Daniels)
once you get the cups hangin half way out you should be able to clamp then with vise grips and work them back and forth and pull them out. thats how I did mine. if you pressed the cross against the casting make absoulty sure you didnt deform the casting. Swipe some fine sandpaper around in there to clean up the eyeholes then run yur finger thru and check for burrs and gentally grind of file them down before installing new cups. Ive done many u-joints on many different cars in the past. the last time I just took my driveshaft to a specialist and had them install new joints and balance the shaft. It was definatly out of balance as they had to add a sizeable weight to one side. It only cost $86 to have two new joints installed and balance. wish I had done this the first time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 209
From: Loveland, CO
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (79VetteMike)
79VetteMike, sounds like you had the same trouble I'm having. I don't remember having to pull the cap off that is 1/2 out by other methods than pressing. You mentioned getting both caps 1/2 out. How do you do that? By pressing one out in one direction, you have to push the other one in don't you? Or do you use some other way to get the second one 1/2 way out? No, I do not have grease fittings now. I was just following the Chassis Service Manual in greasing and then reassembly of good u-joints. If I have to use a vise, visegrips or other methods to pull out the 1/2 out caps, I will probably damage them so that they cannot be reused. Sounds like I will have to go to new joints all around. Thanks for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (rponfick)
As inexpensive as U-Joints are (SPICER) I would just replace the old ones (if original 34 years old).
There are several threads in the archives about removing u-joints. The approach I used on my 1980 was a suggestion to put the arms of the "cross" of the u-joint on top of the open jaws of a vice. Open the vice jaws wide enough that the arms are well supported, but the jaws DO NOT touch the axle or half shaft. Tap the half shaft with a hammer, the "cross" cannot move, and so the inertia of the hammer drives the cups out.
Turn the half shaft over and likewise drive the other cup out. One of the cups will come free. You can then remove the "cross" and use a drift to tap the other cap out.
Pretty easy to do. Given you already have the caps 1/2 way out, a couple of taps may be all you need.
There are several threads in the archives about removing u-joints. The approach I used on my 1980 was a suggestion to put the arms of the "cross" of the u-joint on top of the open jaws of a vice. Open the vice jaws wide enough that the arms are well supported, but the jaws DO NOT touch the axle or half shaft. Tap the half shaft with a hammer, the "cross" cannot move, and so the inertia of the hammer drives the cups out.
Turn the half shaft over and likewise drive the other cup out. One of the cups will come free. You can then remove the "cross" and use a drift to tap the other cap out.
Pretty easy to do. Given you already have the caps 1/2 way out, a couple of taps may be all you need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 8,164
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Re: U-joints, what am I doing wrong? (rponfick)
if the cap only goes about halfway out and then just plain stops, i'd worry about the driveshaft being bent. especially seeing how you're using a shop press.
I havnt found any reputable auto shop that does u-joints with a shop press, as it's much to easy to bend the driveshaft up if something goes wrong.
Theres a tool that many manufacturers make called a ball joint press. It looks like a large c-clamp, you can even rent one from auto zone for free. Thats the tool i use to press u-joints in and out and thats what i've seen most profesionals use.
Instead of tightening it down with a wrench i zap it on with an impact wrench, then once its nice and tight and everything is lined up nicely i hit the head of bolt with a hammer, then zap it more, hit it with a hammer more until it comes out. That was the way i was taught how to do it in school, and thats the way everyone i know who has brains does it. A quick shot of pb blaster usually helps out pretty greatly as well.
I personally stay away from greasable u-joints too, because you can rarely even fit a grease gun into in there to grease it.
[Modified by RJR99SS, 10:27 PM 6/10/2003]
I havnt found any reputable auto shop that does u-joints with a shop press, as it's much to easy to bend the driveshaft up if something goes wrong.
Theres a tool that many manufacturers make called a ball joint press. It looks like a large c-clamp, you can even rent one from auto zone for free. Thats the tool i use to press u-joints in and out and thats what i've seen most profesionals use.
Instead of tightening it down with a wrench i zap it on with an impact wrench, then once its nice and tight and everything is lined up nicely i hit the head of bolt with a hammer, then zap it more, hit it with a hammer more until it comes out. That was the way i was taught how to do it in school, and thats the way everyone i know who has brains does it. A quick shot of pb blaster usually helps out pretty greatly as well.
I personally stay away from greasable u-joints too, because you can rarely even fit a grease gun into in there to grease it.
[Modified by RJR99SS, 10:27 PM 6/10/2003]
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