U-joint replacement!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 12
U-joint replacement!
This weekend I am going to take the car to the track but I figure before I go I better replace those old u-joints with some new spicers.
This will be my first time changing them on a c4 corvette. Do you guys have any tips? Whats the easiest way to remove the half shafts? How long does it usually take to do all of them?
thanks in advance!
This will be my first time changing them on a c4 corvette. Do you guys have any tips? Whats the easiest way to remove the half shafts? How long does it usually take to do all of them?
thanks in advance!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
U-Joints
In addition to here, there's another thread that's pretty good at: http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...d.php?t=144562
I did mine a few months back and worked pretty good. I also made a tool for the hydraulic press and it worked out well.
I did mine a few months back and worked pretty good. I also made a tool for the hydraulic press and it worked out well.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
I've never done "joints only" so my help may not be good help...
but here goes...
I d/c the hub from the rods/struts, pull wheels and get under a VERY stable car on stands with floor jack as back-up.
Remove strap bolts, then simply use feet to push OUTWARD on hub (reinstall a wheel if needed) and the half shaft drops in your lap. Couldn't be any simpler if I tried.
This is where I detail and polish all the alum under the ***-end, and then reassemble.
All in all, not more than 3 or 4 hrs to do all 4 AND have a bright shiny rear suspension.
but here goes...
I d/c the hub from the rods/struts, pull wheels and get under a VERY stable car on stands with floor jack as back-up.
Remove strap bolts, then simply use feet to push OUTWARD on hub (reinstall a wheel if needed) and the half shaft drops in your lap. Couldn't be any simpler if I tried.
This is where I detail and polish all the alum under the ***-end, and then reassemble.
All in all, not more than 3 or 4 hrs to do all 4 AND have a bright shiny rear suspension.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
I jack the rear of the car romove the straps that hold the joints into place. Pry the inner one off the rear let it come down do the same with the outter replace in reverse order. Iv yet to have to remove anything not even the rear tires but removeing thems gives you more wiggle room
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Here's a link to Vader's web page...Go to "Technical info", then to "Scorps U-joint replacement tutorial".... I think this is the best tutorial on the web for replacing U-joints and is the one I used with great results....
...WW
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
...WWhttp://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
Last edited by WW7; Sep 3, 2014 at 07:41 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
I jack the rear of the car romove the straps that hold the joints into place. Pry the inner one off the rear let it come down do the same with the outter replace in reverse order. Iv yet to have to remove anything not even the rear tires but removeing thems gives you more wiggle room
Still think the hub retaining bolts could have been done a lil better....
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
U-Joints
Here's a link to Vader's web page...Go to "Technical info", then to "Scorps U-joint replacement tutorial".... I think this is the best tutorial on the web for replacing U-joints and is the one I used with great results.......WW
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
...WWhttp://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
Here's the tool I made to press u-joints:
I was a little worried about pressing on both sides of the halfshafts at the same time and this worked out great. Even easy to use outside the press with a piece of steel to use like a tamper if the caps are pressed in a little too far.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
I agree with hcbph on the non alignment end of the 'bone. No need to realign. Its a bit of a PITA to get it back in place but better in my opinion. I dropped the spring as well and those two point gave enough slack to pop the half shaft out. It doesnt take much room to get it to drop.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Misc
I agree with hcbph on the non alignment end of the 'bone. No need to realign. Its a bit of a PITA to get it back in place but better in my opinion. I dropped the spring as well and those two point gave enough slack to pop the half shaft out. It doesnt take much room to get it to drop.
Once the shaft is loose, pull the spindle nut and pull it all the way out. easy to do both u-joints and also easy to check and (if needed) replace the teflon washer at the same time. If you have hubs to do, all 3 of the torx bolts are easier to get to also.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Yup, be careful you aren't pinching and tearing your bushing when you reinstall the dogbone to the hub. I put a jack under the dogbone and push it up into the hub. You can use a long 1/4" ratchet extension through the bolt hole and pry to line it up to get the bolt through.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I just removed the half shafts by only disconnecting the leaf spring and tie rod end. I used 1/4" drive breaking bar to get comfortably at the outer u-joint strap bolts. The outer u-joint was missing all of the needle bearings in one cap which was cracked. Now I know where the noise came from.
Oh, getting the half shaft out and back in takes time and patience, but it's doable. I didn't want to undo the nut that requires 175lb-ft to re install. Anybody have trouble getting the snap rings into the grooves on the half shafts? Took me several tries.
Oh, getting the half shaft out and back in takes time and patience, but it's doable. I didn't want to undo the nut that requires 175lb-ft to re install. Anybody have trouble getting the snap rings into the grooves on the half shafts? Took me several tries.
Last edited by Strick; Oct 23, 2014 at 07:19 PM.