U-Joint replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
U-Joint replacement
I printed out a fabulous half-shaft U-Joint replacement thread here. Almost makes it look easy.
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how difficult it is to replace the drive shaft U-Joints? I can have the U-Joints replaced at a local shop ($15 for each U-Joint, $15 for each removal/install, $40 to balance each shaft) or I could buy a set of greaseable "heavy duty" U-Joints off eBay for $95, remove/install myself and have the shafts balanced for $200. In either case, I'd have to remove the shafts and carry them in for the rest of the service.
Alternatively, if anyone wants to help/teach me and a buddy how to do it, send me a pm. I'm willing to pay to learn!
Thanks
I'm wondering if anyone can tell me how difficult it is to replace the drive shaft U-Joints? I can have the U-Joints replaced at a local shop ($15 for each U-Joint, $15 for each removal/install, $40 to balance each shaft) or I could buy a set of greaseable "heavy duty" U-Joints off eBay for $95, remove/install myself and have the shafts balanced for $200. In either case, I'd have to remove the shafts and carry them in for the rest of the service.
Alternatively, if anyone wants to help/teach me and a buddy how to do it, send me a pm. I'm willing to pay to learn!
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
davemack, iam doing the u-joint install tomorrow but not me, my mechanic, actually i called a driveline company to balance and install u-joints, 10 to install each u-joint and 75 to balance each half shaft. so the total would be 190+tax, other than my mechanic labor.
But here's an truly excellent info how to install u-joints by Scorp. Thanks scorp for taking ur time and put it on ur website.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
But to be honest i dont think we need to balance half shaft. Others pl chime in : to balance half shaft or not.?
But here's an truly excellent info how to install u-joints by Scorp. Thanks scorp for taking ur time and put it on ur website.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
But to be honest i dont think we need to balance half shaft. Others pl chime in : to balance half shaft or not.?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
I getting ready to do mine this weekend also and saw the write up scorp did "THANKS SCORP!!!!!
.
FYI***I guess Spicer doesnt make U-Joints for our aluminum axles anymore (Part#5-800X)and you dont want to use (part#5-799X) those are for steal drive shaft
so reading in another thread I found out that NEAPCO" THANKS TO SERVERE-1" is the way to go and they make a great product " even better than Spicer people claim.
PS...... why do you have to Balance axle shaft I dont see a need for it where they are already balance and if you mark everything the way it came out you shouldnt have any issues IMO.
Repzard
.FYI***I guess Spicer doesnt make U-Joints for our aluminum axles anymore (Part#5-800X)and you dont want to use (part#5-799X) those are for steal drive shaft
so reading in another thread I found out that NEAPCO" THANKS TO SERVERE-1" is the way to go and they make a great product " even better than Spicer people claim.Okay guys, don't hate me....
I had these in my car before I blew the rear and have decided to install them again...
I was told these are what the monster truck guys are running.
http://www.neapco.com/pdf/nov2005_Br...Alumiguard.pdf
Here is the cross reference chart
http://www.neapco.com/pdf/Performanc...ed-9901155.pdf
The very best part is they were $15.00 dollars apiece...
I had these in my car before I blew the rear and have decided to install them again...
I was told these are what the monster truck guys are running.
http://www.neapco.com/pdf/nov2005_Br...Alumiguard.pdf
Here is the cross reference chart
http://www.neapco.com/pdf/Performanc...ed-9901155.pdf
The very best part is they were $15.00 dollars apiece...
Repzard
Last edited by Repzard; May 24, 2007 at 09:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
I think they cant rust quicker and not last as long and you could have problems getting them out the next time you need to replace them.
The ones for the Aluminum Axles have a special coating on caps to prevent rusting.
Im no expert at this but this is what I heard can happen.
Ps...I get a chance I will post a picture so you can see the coating on caps you cant mistake it , its a greyish color and clips are also coated.
Repzard
Last edited by Repzard; May 24, 2007 at 09:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Its already balanced from factory, 75 for each to balance seems like wasting time and money, let my mechanic install u joints he has special press machine it will be a snap, and i just forget balancing part.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Just mark the orientation of each shaft to the yoke and you'll be fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Underground, NC
Unless you had vibration problems before that were related to a verifiable out of balance shaft condition and not just due to shot U-joints, balancing a shaft simply because you're replacing the joints is a total waste of time and money.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
Should be shorter than that. I didn't have a vice so I had to take the halfshaft and the new u-joints to a shop to press them in, so I did mine over 2 days off and on. First side should take maybe 1.5 hours, second side maybe an hour. So probably under 3 hours. Good luck, I had fun doing it. But I like **** like that.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
FWIW - my d36 DS and H/S's were all balanced (probably at the factory), the d44 shafts I obtained(all from the same vette) were not balanced ever.
The d44 DS wasn't true either it had runout greater than .005
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
This is not entirely true, if your looking for reliable performance and safety - you do things like this.
FWIW - my d36 DS and H/S's were all balanced (probably at the factory), the d44 shafts I obtained(all from the same vette) were not balanced ever.
The d44 DS wasn't true either it had runout greater than .005
FWIW - my d36 DS and H/S's were all balanced (probably at the factory), the d44 shafts I obtained(all from the same vette) were not balanced ever.
The d44 DS wasn't true either it had runout greater than .005
with other poster NotoriousC4 if you didnt have issues before and you mark everything you shouldnt have to get them rebalanced IMO.All you doing is changing U-Joints its not like your replacing the axles itself.
Last edited by Repzard; May 24, 2007 at 11:18 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
Well I guess it up to you if you want to have them balance but I have to with other poster NotoriousC4 if you didnt have issues before and you mark everything you shouldnt have to get them rebalanced IMO.
All you doing ids changing U-Joints its not like your replacing the axles itself.
with other poster NotoriousC4 if you didnt have issues before and you mark everything you shouldnt have to get them rebalanced IMO.All you doing ids changing U-Joints its not like your replacing the axles itself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
I have changed ujoints out on five different c4's over the years. I have never balanced a shaft, and also never experience any vibrations from it. All 15 shafts that i've changed had been balanced prior. I could visually see the weights welded to ends of shafts. I use a large c-clamp, and multiple sockets to press the ujoints out. No problems here. Hardest part for me when changing them out is removing the exhaust. If it has been on there for a while, removing the mufflers is difficult. I now unbolt the rear y-pipe an remove everything together. It is much easier. Good luck with project!