Help removing stubborn half shaft
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Help removing stubborn half shaft
Time to replace ujoints - cannot seem to get the half shaft removed. Straps are off, but it won't budge. Even pulled the knuckle away slightly but still no luck. First time trying to remove this from the car (it's a 95). Am I missing something ? Do you have to pry it out somehow ? I've seen other posts where people say it's easy but I'm not having any luck. Suggestions appreciated...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Well the shaft is out finally, was stuck very badly. Now the joints will not come out of the shaft - tried using a vice and pushing through with a small socket on one end into a larger one on the other end but the first one I tried wouldn't budge. any secrets to getting these out ? I knew this stuff would be stubborn after 16 years...thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Well the shaft is out finally, was stuck very badly. Now the joints will not come out of the shaft - tried using a vice and pushing through with a small socket on one end into a larger one on the other end but the first one I tried wouldn't budge. any secrets to getting these out ? I knew this stuff would be stubborn after 16 years...thanks.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 7
From: MichAgain
Well the shaft is out finally, was stuck very badly. Now the joints will not come out of the shaft - tried using a vice and pushing through with a small socket on one end into a larger one on the other end but the first one I tried wouldn't budge. any secrets to getting these out ? I knew this stuff would be stubborn after 16 years...thanks.
If you don't have a press take it to a machine shop and they can do it pretty cheap.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
You're not going to get enough force from a vise unless you have a monster. Ball joint press, hydraulic press, maybe a judicious amount of heat. They're probably going to let go with a bang when it happens so don't jump too high lol
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Yeah clips are out, the vise felt like it was about to self-destruct so that's no longer an option. They just don't want to move. Maybe more PB Blaster and a tap or two, but it looks like a press is in order now.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,269
Likes: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
I used a loaner ball joint/u-joint press - and they did let go with a lot of force & a bang!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 3
From: colchester CT
advance auto will loan you their ball joint press if you put down a refundable deposit. it's really quick and easy with the press and then you can press in the new ones with it too.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You have probably already saturated with PB blaster or equivalent. You should be able to just heat up the yoke and tap the ujoint cap out. You may want to heat up both ends and tap on one then the other. Good Luck 
