80-82 U-Joint HELP
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lexington ky
80-82 U-Joint HELP
I was out this weekend and I guess a shifted a little hard in to 2nd and snapped my rear U-Joint. :cry The manual for the 68-82 says I can get to the strap bolts, But I just don’t know how there is barely enough space for me to get my finger in there. Do I have to pull the whole rear end? :banghead:Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (jac1502)
Rear drive shaft J-joint, I assume. 1/4 inch drive socket and long extension with universal or wobbler. Feed it in from the front down the length of the drive shaft.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lexington ky
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (wombvette)
I just don’t see how that would work, the straps need to be held in place and the bolts would be almost impossible to reinstall. I have been under the car several times trying to figure out what I'm going to do. Why does every repair have to be such PITA. But I have faith that some forum member will come through with the answer! :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (jac1502)
wombvette is correct. The only difference when I did my '81 is that I just used a long extension with the socket, no universal. I had the car on a 4-post lift and just rolled the car to get at each bolt at the best angle. I just put one bolt through the cap and carefully fished it into place with the socket and extension when reinstalling. Kind of a PITA, but very do-able.
Dick
Dick
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (jac1502)
Yes, it can be done on jack stands. That is how I had to do my '80 a couple years ago. You will have to put the car in neutral and maybe "roll" the tires to get each bolt in the position you need it. Those boltheads are 1/4" in size, but they are also either an 8pt or 12pt head. Yes, I also had to use a very long extension to get at them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (Paul Borowski)
.... Those bolt heads are 1/4" in size, but they are also either an 8pt or 12pt head. ......
Be sure to get a GOOD quality socket. The 12 point heads are easy to round off, and then you do have a problem. You may want to hit them with PB Blaster.
I was careful to clean the bolt holes when replacing my u-joints. They had a lot of fine crud in there.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: boulder wa
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (mapman)
i just replaced all the unis in the back end and also the bolts. All i can say is heaps of swearing about the original 12 point heads. i just replaced all mine with high tensile allan key head bolts. :yesnod: lots easier now and they are only tightened to 15ftlb :eek:
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lexington ky
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (Yeller81USNRet)
Well from what I have seen under the car last night, I can’t even see the yoke but I did find a strap that was mangled.:mad Knowing my luck I probably sheared off some of the bolts, so I will have no choice but to pull the rear end. How bad of a job is it, I guess it gives me a chance to go over everything, paint, clean and ect? :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Allen, TX, USA
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (Yeller81USNRet)
The are a 1/4 (Auto) or 5/16 (manual, 82 all) 3/4" allen head bolt - I believe 24 threads.
I just bought some and replaced most of mine - too bad I still can't get the remaining
three out :mad
They are nice - get a socket based allen wrench for faster installation!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (adam)
My '81 had 1/4" 12 point bolts (set screws to be precise!). As I remember, they were 1/4" UNF which is 28tpi. If the manuals are a 5/16" UNF then they'll be 24tpi.
To do my '81's UJ's I had the car up on stands (under the frame side rails) & turned a rear wheel to get the best angle on the bolts & straps. I used an expensive 1/4" drive 12 point socket on 2 extension bars, one being the wobbler type, & it was a simple job. But mine wasn't all chewed up....
If you think the drive shaft UJ's are difficult to get to, try doing the half shaft ones without removing the struts. It's possible, but it'll send your blood pressure through the roof :lol:
Good luck.
To do my '81's UJ's I had the car up on stands (under the frame side rails) & turned a rear wheel to get the best angle on the bolts & straps. I used an expensive 1/4" drive 12 point socket on 2 extension bars, one being the wobbler type, & it was a simple job. But mine wasn't all chewed up....
If you think the drive shaft UJ's are difficult to get to, try doing the half shaft ones without removing the struts. It's possible, but it'll send your blood pressure through the roof :lol:
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: boulder wa
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (MN-Brent)
here in aussie land we have "high tensile" bolts which means real strong mothers that cost mobs more than a standard bolt, they dont go brittle and you can do them up that little bit tighter :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Lexington ky
Re: 80-82 U-Joint HELP (doopsvette)
Well I was right I could not see the yoke because it was broke :mad So I had to remove the whole rear end. The great part is I only broke one spring mounting bolt which i drillled, used easy out, and heated, which in turn left me with a hardened easy out stuck in the bolt :mad :mad :mad :mad
But anyways now i need to decide what to do about replacing everything
Here is the thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=707591
Thanks for all the help :cheers:
But anyways now i need to decide what to do about replacing everything
Here is the thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=707591
Thanks for all the help :cheers: