u joint troubles

[WickedOnE530]

my rear driveshaft is giving me problems. i was trying to replace my u joints when i noticed that i couldnt get them out because they are so old that they are rusted in there pretty well. i tryed placing my driveshaft on 2 blocks and hitting the ear but that didnt work. i also wanted to try using some wd-40 to soak it, my bro also told me about some kind of torch like stuff but it is gas i dont know what its called, but if anyone has any better ways of doing it im all ears. thanks

 

[Letterman]

Get a bigger hammer, hike your skirt up, put your purse down, and hit that thing!

:gee:

Find the right size socket to help push the cap, also helps to have another person hold it so if you miss and hit a finger . . .

All jokes aside keep soking it, WD40 and PB Blast really do work, and the more you soke it . . .

 

[HTeK]

What Letterman said - hit it harder.

This may have been what you were explaining, but the easiest way I have found is to use a vice to support the u-joint trunnions (or the ears of a slip yoke depending on the end) and smack the hell out of the base of the ear on the driveshaft - basically hit it right above where the ears are welded to the tube. Works every time - I much prefer this method over hitting a the cap with socket. As long as you have good aim, you can really wail on the thing without doing any damage.

good luck.

-jm

 

[Boatwrench]

The easiest way is to take it to a machine shop.

Be careful smacking to hard on those ears, they can get distorted and you'll have problems for a while. The folks in that photo are trained professionals and do this task several times a year.

 

[redneckboarder]

i used a press for my axle u joints and 2 tons of pressure later BANG!! just be careful cuz i bent an ear in the process

 

[Bryan C.]

My own personal opinion is that a shop press should never be used on any u-joints. Like I said, that is my own opinion based on my own experience. I have changed out a lot of front axle joints and drive shaft joints using a hammer, a vise, and some misc sockets. I would not suggest hitting the ears of the shaft, if they really are stuck then bad things will happen. Just go easy, and if you can't get it out don't feel bad taking to someone who knows what they are doing. An hour of labor at a shop is much cheaper than a whole new driveshaft.

 

[Harlee&Tahoe]

my bro also told me about some kind of torch like stuff but it is gas i dont know what its called, but if anyone has any better ways of doing it im all ears.

What I told him about gas was MAPP(methylacetylene propadiene, hotter than propane) gas for a little quick heat for the strap bolt which has a stripped head also PB Blaster and vise grips. MAPP not for yoke ears, metal tempering will occur and make ear brittle and possibly break.

I also adivsed him to place trunnions or yoke ears on two blocks and to hit(HARD) the base(the thickest portion but not the D/S) of the yoke ear (not the ear itself) to force u-joint up so top cap can be removed rotate and repeat.
Also let him know of socket trick.
Ricky, please buy a 2# BFH so you don't have to use wrenches as hammers (wrenches don't weigh enough, and you may need them later)

 

[WickedOnE530]

haha.. i might need the wrenches? i have a hammer a ball peane but it might work? i tryed using all kinds od objects to pound it out.. like a big ass stone... some bricks. wrenches. 2x4, i think i even tryed my combat boots. its rusted in there pretty well... i bought some pb blaster and new u joint straps all i need is time to work on it. i really need to get it out because when i bent that strap with the fucked up bolt and it damaged the integrity of the strap so i dont drive much anymore..... but yea ill try the socket trick and see if that works...