changing my u -joint.....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,595
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From: Thornton CO
Originally Posted by scorp508
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
A 1/4" drive 5/16" or 8mm swivel socket on a long extension will make quick work out of turning the strap bolts out once you've broken them loose too. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,595
Likes: 1
From: Thornton CO
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
A 1/4" drive 5/16" or 8mm swivel socket on a long extension will make quick work out of turning the strap bolts out once you've broken them loose too.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Hesperia California
I just did both of my Half Shafts on my 89 last week. I used Scorp's directions except instead of taking the caster bolt or the mount loose from near the differential, which would have been a lot of work, I simply loosened the caster strut at the wheel assembly. As far as I could see, it did the same thing only a whole lot easier.
The whole job was a piece of cake. I am really glad I did not have it done. The labor at an auto shop calls for about 8 hrs. @ $85.00 an hr.
I did take the half shafts to a driveline shop and had Spicers put in and the shafts balanced.
Good wrenching!
The whole job was a piece of cake. I am really glad I did not have it done. The labor at an auto shop calls for about 8 hrs. @ $85.00 an hr.
I did take the half shafts to a driveline shop and had Spicers put in and the shafts balanced.
Good wrenching!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by scorp508
Now that's funny!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I am about to do my 1/2 shaft U joints as well, and am also using Scorp's guide (thanks Scorp!), and I have a few questions:
Questions:
1) Will a standard 6" vise work for this? Will a 5" vise work?
2) Is removing the caster strut at the wheel a simpler way? Does it have any down sides or precautions?
3) How necessary is it to have the half shafts balanced (I have an 86' with 85K miles on it), and what type of shop does this kind of work?
Thanks!
Questions:
1) Will a standard 6" vise work for this? Will a 5" vise work?
2) Is removing the caster strut at the wheel a simpler way? Does it have any down sides or precautions?
3) How necessary is it to have the half shafts balanced (I have an 86' with 85K miles on it), and what type of shop does this kind of work?
Thanks!
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Square
I am about to do my 1/2 shaft U joints as well, and am also using Scorp's guide (thanks Scorp!), and I have a few questions:
Questions:
1) Will a standard 6" vise work for this? Will a 5" vise work?
2) Is removing the caster strut at the wheel a simpler way? Does it have any down sides or precautions?
3) How necessary is it to have the half shafts balanced (I have an 86' with 85K miles on it), and what type of shop does this kind of work?
Thanks!
Questions:
1) Will a standard 6" vise work for this? Will a 5" vise work?
2) Is removing the caster strut at the wheel a simpler way? Does it have any down sides or precautions?
3) How necessary is it to have the half shafts balanced (I have an 86' with 85K miles on it), and what type of shop does this kind of work?
Thanks!
I would like to know that too... should you balance them or should they be fine...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,595
Likes: 1
From: Thornton CO
I just removed mine. I was able to get an impact gun on mine using a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on a 5/16 socket. I didn't realize I could do that until I was finished with the first side, made the second side go in about 5 minutes instead of 30.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I asked my mechanic about balancing the half shafts. I specificly asked him if he balanced the half shafts normally as a part of changing U-joints. He said that he does not do that normally, and his shop dosen't do that kind of work, and that I would need to find a driveline shop to do it if I wanted it done.
I am not knocking getting it done, but my car is a daily driver (i.e. no high speed auto X, etc) and so I think I will skip on the balancing until I think it is a problem.
I am not knocking getting it done, but my car is a daily driver (i.e. no high speed auto X, etc) and so I think I will skip on the balancing until I think it is a problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Just installed my half shafts last night, had a drive line shop put my spicers in to same me some headaches, only $5 a joint.
I ask him about balancing and he said that they don't really spin fast enough to warrent balancing?
I second the use of an air tool with an adapter to make the job go quicker.
One benefit of not removing the caster strut might be that you alignment might be maintained a bit better. I have an autocorss Sunday and I think I'm going to have to get someone to align the rear Saturday. I'm assuming that since I've removed them twice in 12 months for joints and hub that the alignment isn't what it need to be.
I ask him about balancing and he said that they don't really spin fast enough to warrent balancing?
I second the use of an air tool with an adapter to make the job go quicker.
One benefit of not removing the caster strut might be that you alignment might be maintained a bit better. I have an autocorss Sunday and I think I'm going to have to get someone to align the rear Saturday. I'm assuming that since I've removed them twice in 12 months for joints and hub that the alignment isn't what it need to be.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: iowa
your tires turn at the same speed and need balencing.. so im not to sure about that... and thanks for the link earlier in this thread as im having to change a squeeky u joint in my right half shaft soon 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Originally Posted by RED95CONVLUVER
your tires turn at the same speed and need balencing.. so im not to sure about that...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by Square
1) Will a standard 6" vise work for this? Will a 5" vise work?
On mine the driveshaft joints came out just with the press and then yanking the cap off, but on the halfshaft joints the cap wouldn't budge so I had to beat them out from the inside.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: 1987- L98, auto OH
Just to let you know, I took the advice of another C4 owner and used a large C clamp to press my u-joints out. Not the easiest way to go, but money was really tight at the time and with another person helping keep it aligned, it went just fine. Sounds really low-tech, but it worked well.
Brad
Brad
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
Thanks for all the advice regarding vises/presses, etc.
I asked because I need to get a vise for the shop anyways, and there is a nice fully rotatable 5" vise (rotates horizontally and vertically) I would get if I didn't need the 6th inch to do the U-joints.
I asked because I need to get a vise for the shop anyways, and there is a nice fully rotatable 5" vise (rotates horizontally and vertically) I would get if I didn't need the 6th inch to do the U-joints.