Halfshaft and U-joint problem...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
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From: Poop land
Halfshaft and U-joint problem...
Been driving my MiniRam Vette to new heights and I guess I won't be doing that today because the rear left U-joint is eeking pretty badly. Its gotten worse since Thursday. So, today I took off the half shaft on that side and for some reason, on the wheel hub side that U-joint just doesn't wanna tap out. I have it on a vise all wrapped up in a towel and I'm concerned if it "tap" it out any harder, I might dent the halfshaft. How are you all able to take this sucker out? I know this one is the cause of all the eeking. Could it be seized on to the halfshaft???? Any recommendations on some high quality aftermarket replacement U-joints instead of using the stupid weak GM crap??? Would it be better to replace all the U-joints?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
how big is your vice?
If it's big enough, put a socket on the cap of the ujoint, then put a large socket on the other side... and squeeze.
If I may suggest, you might want to go visit Pepboys or Harbor Freight and pick up one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33497
I have used that tool, and it kicks ***.
If it's big enough, put a socket on the cap of the ujoint, then put a large socket on the other side... and squeeze.
If I may suggest, you might want to go visit Pepboys or Harbor Freight and pick up one of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33497
I have used that tool, and it kicks ***.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Do not hammer them out! You will invariably distort something, which is not cool
Here is an excellent "how to" for U-joint R&R using a Vice....
replace with Spicer U-joints w/o grease fittings..do all 4 if u have time.........and drive shaft if you are really ambitious....depending on mileage of course...
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette...nts/index.html
Here is an excellent "how to" for U-joint R&R using a Vice....
replace with Spicer U-joints w/o grease fittings..do all 4 if u have time.........and drive shaft if you are really ambitious....depending on mileage of course...
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette...nts/index.html
Last edited by MikeC4; Jun 17, 2006 at 03:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Originally Posted by MikeC4
Do not hammer them out! You will invariably distort something, which is not cool
Here is an excellent "how to" for U-joint R&R using a Vice....
replace with Spicer U-joints w/o grease fittings..do all 4 if u have time.........
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette...nts/index.html
Here is an excellent "how to" for U-joint R&R using a Vice....
replace with Spicer U-joints w/o grease fittings..do all 4 if u have time.........
http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette...nts/index.html
So why are U-joints better without the grease fittings? Isn't it better to have the fittings so you can grease them up occasionally????
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Originally Posted by kopbet89c4
So why are U-joints better without the grease fittings? Isn't it better to have the fittings so you can grease them up occasionally????
All depends on whether that extra bit of strength is more important to you.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
As long as the seals stay good they shouldn't run outta lube. I really hate the fact that I have that nice how-to all done up and I used crappy u-joints that time! 
Cold Forged Spicers are all I use now. Those crappy brute force ones lasted about a month or so.
Cold Forged Spicers are all I use now. Those crappy brute force ones lasted about a month or so.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by kopbet89c4
Any recommendations on some high quality aftermarket replacement U-joints instead of using the stupid weak GM crap??? Would it be better to replace all the U-joints?
Roll pins? The half shafts don't have any roll pins. Are you referring to the needle bearings?
The non-greasable joints are stronger because they don't have the hole for the grease to travel through, drilled in the spider, weakening it.
RACE ON!!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by scorp508
As long as the seals stay good they shouldn't run outta lube. I really hate the fact that I have that nice how-to all done up and I used crappy u-joints that time! Cold Forged Spicers are all I use now. Those crappy brute force ones lasted about a month or so.
Cold Forged Spicers are all I use now. Those crappy brute force ones lasted about a month or so.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I put in the "crappy" Brute Force u joints when I swapped in my Dana 44...200 passes at the drag strip and 20K miles later all is well...maybe I'm just a lucky guy...lol
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
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From: Poop land
Took all 4 of them out just for some preventative maintenance. It sucks that my auto parts store has to special order the Spicer units. They will be here on Wed. WTF, it sucks to have my Vette out of commission for the next 4 days. I'm seriously in love with that thing all over again like I just got it. Then there goes the "eek eek eek eek eek" of the U-joint while driving. Driving my Vette is like taking drugs. I can't stop as I'm addicted to it. Pitiful to see the *** end on jack stands, until my new U-joints arrive. Maybe I'm just gonna crank it up and hear it idle for a few minutes so I don't miss out on her too much... :leaving
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I have the Brute Force ujoints, and they are fine for my use.
The ones on the driveshaft have been on for the last 4 years, no problems... the ones on the half shafts have been there for 2+ years... again, no problems.
I would get them again.
The ones on the driveshaft have been on for the last 4 years, no problems... the ones on the half shafts have been there for 2+ years... again, no problems.
I would get them again.