u-joint install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: central square NY
u-joint install
i am taking out the my current u-joints becuase they have zerk fitings and i am putting in ones with out the fittings to gain some strength there. as i was about to install the new ones today i noticed the joints have a flat side and little humps on the other side. what side should the flat side of the joint be facing. the half shaft our the yoke? thanks :beatdeadhorse:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Re: u-joint install (gravismaximus)
It dosen't matter, the cross forging (I hope your using forged U joints) are done in the same die as the zerk joints. You should be sure that the joints turn freely after pressing them in, sometimes you need to give a light tap to the yokes/flanges to re-spread them after pressing in the joints. Original Vettes never had zerks in them and went over 50K miles, I don't use joints with zerks in them because of the halfshafts function of being the upper suspension locating member and the high stresses involved with it's dual role function.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: u-joint install (gravismaximus)
Is the hump the area that the zerk would normally be drilled into ?
If so, I don't think it matters which way.
I have a question, though.
I was actually at the parts store this morning. The guy looked up the
Spicer parts numbers for my 75 automatic half shafts. He cam up with X-178 for the
greasable ones, X-178-1 for the greasable end cap, and X-178-HP for the solids.
What are the part numbers for the half shaft joints that you are installing ? (Spicer ?)
The greasable Spicers were $16, which has me thinking.
EDIT: Solid LT1 has good points there. I wondered why the solid ones were
so much more expensive. forged vs cast ? makes sense. I won't be getting greasable ones.
Thanks :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 9:49 PM 3/31/2004]
If so, I don't think it matters which way.
I have a question, though.
I was actually at the parts store this morning. The guy looked up the
Spicer parts numbers for my 75 automatic half shafts. He cam up with X-178 for the
greasable ones, X-178-1 for the greasable end cap, and X-178-HP for the solids.
What are the part numbers for the half shaft joints that you are installing ? (Spicer ?)
The greasable Spicers were $16, which has me thinking.
EDIT: Solid LT1 has good points there. I wondered why the solid ones were
so much more expensive. forged vs cast ? makes sense. I won't be getting greasable ones.
Thanks :seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 9:49 PM 3/31/2004]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: central square NY
Re: u-joint install (NHvette)
no i got these ones from summit and they are from percision aka fedraul mogle. and the part number is pcn-254 i told him when i bought them that i wanted ones without the fittings so that they woud be stronger so i hope these are the forged ones. :flag
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: u-joint install (Van Steel)
I now longer press any joints in or out. To remove the old universal I take the cutting torch and cut the X out of the joint.. While still hot I take the air chissel and walk the old cap off. They come easy while hot.
I then polish with a flapper wheel in a drill, debur with a file and clean the groove carefully.
I then place the shaft in the vise and and well lubing the cups on the outside use a small brass hammer and walk the caps into place.
This way the end cups don't get distorted and the universal will last alot longer.
I then polish with a flapper wheel in a drill, debur with a file and clean the groove carefully.
I then place the shaft in the vise and and well lubing the cups on the outside use a small brass hammer and walk the caps into place.
This way the end cups don't get distorted and the universal will last alot longer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: u-joint install (Van Steel)
FYI-when you press the u-joints out of the 1/2 shaft flange, you need to put something behind that flange so it does not bend.
Steve :steering:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: u-joint install (stpman)
so this tool you have, just presses the u-joints out & in, correct. your gonna have to fab up a plate to mount to the backside of the flange so the flange doesn't bend.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: u-joint install (Van Steel)
The Press is similar to a ball joint press.
If I bolt a piece of 1/4" or 3/8" plate the the flange I should be ok then?
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:39 PM 4/1/2004]
If I bolt a piece of 1/4" or 3/8" plate the the flange I should be ok then?
Steve
[Modified by stpman, 12:39 PM 4/1/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: u-joint install (stpman)
bolt a piece of 1/4" or 3/8" plate the the flange I should be ok then?
Steve
Originally I made a 1 inch think plate with a recessed groove to match the flange. I bolted the flange securely to this plate to prevent all possibility of bending it. I used it once before going to my present way of changing U joints.
I thiink 1/4 inch is a little flimsy.
Steve
Originally I made a 1 inch think plate with a recessed groove to match the flange. I bolted the flange securely to this plate to prevent all possibility of bending it. I used it once before going to my present way of changing U joints.
I thiink 1/4 inch is a little flimsy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: u-joint install (norvalwilhelm)
The flange support at Eckler's ($35) looks to be about 1/2" thick.
I was thinking to remove the spindle flange and use that to support the
half-shaft flange. It's pretty beefy, but I don't think I would use it under
a hydraulic press. My HS joints came out with a hammer and sockets.
I agree with Norval ... clean the bores good - and they should tap in easily.
Even these need a little more cleaning. I did them with a piece of 400 grit and
my fingers. I was too cheap to buy the $6 Dremel flap sander. The grooves
were simply dug out with a small screwdriver.
[Modified by NHvette, 1:45 PM 4/1/2004]
[Modified by NHvette, 1:51 PM 4/1/2004]
I was thinking to remove the spindle flange and use that to support the
half-shaft flange. It's pretty beefy, but I don't think I would use it under
a hydraulic press. My HS joints came out with a hammer and sockets.
I agree with Norval ... clean the bores good - and they should tap in easily.
Even these need a little more cleaning. I did them with a piece of 400 grit and
my fingers. I was too cheap to buy the $6 Dremel flap sander. The grooves
were simply dug out with a small screwdriver.
[Modified by NHvette, 1:45 PM 4/1/2004]
[Modified by NHvette, 1:51 PM 4/1/2004]
