half shaft/u joint problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
half shaft/u joint problem
i think that the ends of my half shafts got bend inward a little while i was pressing out the old u joints. As i was turning in the press it would make very loud popping noises sometimes. now when i went to put the u joints in they will not fit. any ideas how to re-widen the half shafts so i can get the u joints in?
thanks so much!
thanks so much!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
The popping is normal. It's just the end caps coming out of the shaft.
It'll take a pretty healthy press to bend those ears. Have you taken any measurements to see for sure if you bent them? It's always tight getting the new ones back in. Make sure the bores are clean. Sometimes the u joint will put a burr in the bore when pressing the old ones out.
It'll take a pretty healthy press to bend those ears. Have you taken any measurements to see for sure if you bent them? It's always tight getting the new ones back in. Make sure the bores are clean. Sometimes the u joint will put a burr in the bore when pressing the old ones out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Popping is normal on the way out.
Even if the 1/2 shaft is not bent those things go in @ very tight angles and they can hang on the seals and the retaining clip's channel lip. Take your time.
Even if the 1/2 shaft is not bent those things go in @ very tight angles and they can hang on the seals and the retaining clip's channel lip. Take your time.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
thanks guys. im gonna make measurements and take some more time on them. im gonna replace them if theyre bent. kinda makes me nervous trying to modify aluminum. i wouldnt want them to fail from fatigue or stress. ill let you all know what i find!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
I was working on mine last night.
I did 1 half shaft so far - I'm using a bench vise and socket method.
One thing I struggled with was after pressing the joint out so I could remove 1 end cap it was really tough to get the joint out from the yoke - it just barely didnt clear - I had to give it a couple taps with a hammer and I know that can't be the right way!
Installing is pretty tough too, I have a pretty big vise and I was REALLY cranking on it to press them. I've done a good bit of googling and most people without access to a press seem to do it this way.
After removal I did clean the bores with a very fine wire wheel on a dremel and I was sure that there were no burrs. I sprayed with wd40 to provide some lube during install.
Any tips at all out there to ease this process?
I did 1 half shaft so far - I'm using a bench vise and socket method.
One thing I struggled with was after pressing the joint out so I could remove 1 end cap it was really tough to get the joint out from the yoke - it just barely didnt clear - I had to give it a couple taps with a hammer and I know that can't be the right way!
Installing is pretty tough too, I have a pretty big vise and I was REALLY cranking on it to press them. I've done a good bit of googling and most people without access to a press seem to do it this way.
After removal I did clean the bores with a very fine wire wheel on a dremel and I was sure that there were no burrs. I sprayed with wd40 to provide some lube during install.
Any tips at all out there to ease this process?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
I was working on mine last night.
I did 1 half shaft so far - I'm using a bench vise and socket method.
One thing I struggled with was after pressing the joint out so I could remove 1 end cap it was really tough to get the joint out from the yoke - it just barely didnt clear - I had to give it a couple taps with a hammer and I know that can't be the right way!
Installing is pretty tough too, I have a pretty big vise and I was REALLY cranking on it to press them. I've done a good bit of googling and most people without access to a press seem to do it this way.
After removal I did clean the bores with a very fine wire wheel on a dremel and I was sure that there were no burrs. I sprayed with wd40 to provide some lube during install.
Any tips at all out there to ease this process?
I did 1 half shaft so far - I'm using a bench vise and socket method.
One thing I struggled with was after pressing the joint out so I could remove 1 end cap it was really tough to get the joint out from the yoke - it just barely didnt clear - I had to give it a couple taps with a hammer and I know that can't be the right way!
Installing is pretty tough too, I have a pretty big vise and I was REALLY cranking on it to press them. I've done a good bit of googling and most people without access to a press seem to do it this way.
After removal I did clean the bores with a very fine wire wheel on a dremel and I was sure that there were no burrs. I sprayed with wd40 to provide some lube during install.
Any tips at all out there to ease this process?
There is press lube that may work better than WD40 but probably any film of light weight grease wouldn't hurt. Doesn't take a lot of it.
They're tight on purpose, just keep on pressing!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
Thanks! That worked. The halfshafts are all set, new u joints installed.... the drive shaft and slip yoke are disassembled but Summit sent me the wrong u joints for it.
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
If you're in a hurry NAPA probably has those for the drive shaft. I'm partial to Spicer but the DS doesn't take the beating the half shafts do.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
I do plan on going to NAPA. I had already checked out the website and it looks like I can get LT warranty Precision U joints for $23 each. I just don't want to wait for Summit. My D44 will be back from DTS early next week and I want this car back together. Every time the sun is shining I see Vettes on the road and it kills me to see mine in pieces all over my garage.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 55
I would bet yours are ok, since the ends are cast (I think) they will all measure different anyway. I know when mine came out there was incredible popping on the first one, after that I heated the yoke just a little and the other 3 came out easy then. I was still worried about that one that popped so much but 2 yr later no problems. good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
The best way to avoid damage is the Cut the Old U-Joint in 1/2 with a Torch at the Start. Then all Your pressing out is the Caps one at a time. Then its easy to support the Flange for each Cap so nothing can get bent.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
go to advance auto and they let you borrow a ujoint press. You have to put a deposit on your credit card which they refund when you return the tool. It is simple to press the u-joint out and back in with this tool. Much quicker and easier than the bench vise
