travelinman31
Full Access Member
The front u joint (closest to transmission) is going bad. Can it be replaced without removing the whole driveshaft. Anyone have good instructions on changing this?
U Joint How to?
- Thread starter travelinman31
- Start date
icanfixall
Official GMM hand model
Nope. You need to remove the complete shaft. Then working on a bench hopefully with the correct tools to press out the cups and install the new joint. Be sure to mark the shaft as it comes apart. They are "clocked" to the shaft. If the front one is bad I'm betting the middle and the back ones are near gone too. Might want to have a shop do all that replacement work. They can balance the shaft too. I grease mine plenty but when I "feel" them I have a well known shop local to me replace all of them. Its very cheap insurance the way I see it.
Black dawg
Registered User
If you have changed alot of ujoints, then no, you dont have to remove the shaft, but if your not really good at it, better remove it.
I'd take that deal all day long and twice on Sunday unless they are grossly marking them up. I have a press and I still hate doing universal joints.
YES it can be done, if you have quality tools n skill to do it. If your asking if it can be done, its likely you do not have the correct tools to do so.
Perhaps removing it is best in this situation. If you do and it's a 2 piece rear do NOT separate the two parts to make it easier. Just keep the two shafts together so they cannot be unphased.
A vice and sockets or Hammer and sockets makes it simple if you have those.
Best gitter done!
Perhaps removing it is best in this situation. If you do and it's a 2 piece rear do NOT separate the two parts to make it easier. Just keep the two shafts together so they cannot be unphased.
A vice and sockets or Hammer and sockets makes it simple if you have those.
Best gitter done!
93blklightning
Full Access Member
I'm not saying this is the way you should do it, unless you are fairly skilled, but I've done this for years.
Remove the universal that is to be replaced from the yoke, leaving it in the driveline.
Using an oxy/acetylene torch, cut both sides off the universal still in the driveline.
After these cuts, the caps fall out with gentle tapping from hammer and socket.
Clean the holes, and reinstall the new universal.
I prefer using a torch due to some universals especially the factory ones, being difficult to remove sometimes, it decreases the chances of boogering up the ears on the driveline due to miss hits, and as your careful not to heat the ears or driveline, there's no other issues
Remove the universal that is to be replaced from the yoke, leaving it in the driveline.
Using an oxy/acetylene torch, cut both sides off the universal still in the driveline.
After these cuts, the caps fall out with gentle tapping from hammer and socket.
Clean the holes, and reinstall the new universal.
I prefer using a torch due to some universals especially the factory ones, being difficult to remove sometimes, it decreases the chances of boogering up the ears on the driveline due to miss hits, and as your careful not to heat the ears or driveline, there's no other issues
^^^^^^ AKA ^^^^^^ Also known as Torch Surgery....gotta be damn good with one
gandalf
Senior Member
Does this driveline place have a name,is it a chain, or is it a one-off place? I'd like to find a deal like that here.
I've used a ball joint press several times with great success.
It's just a local place. I've never heard of a chain driveline place myself.
93blklightning
Full Access Member
fordf350man
Full Access Member
Do NOT use a hammer and a socket. It works but you destroy the tool and can possibly damage the drive shaft or your hand or both. Be safe and smart. I have this kit http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-7897-Service-Tool/dp/B00061SGZO It is cheap and does ball joints and U-joints. I have changed the U-joints in about 10 minutes on my truck using this tool. Makes it incredibly easy. No vice, I take the drive shaft off and set in in the bed and swap them out right there. And with that kit you get the advantage of having a ball joint press also.
Bashby
Full Access Member
Be careful with a ball joint press. I have seen a couple driveshafts get the ears bent with a ball joint press.
