Archived DriveShaft Universall Joint!

[Wally19]

HELP!



I broke my rear universal joint in my drive shaft, and have the new one in hand, but i cannot get the old one out of the drive shaft. Is there a trick or something I am missing.



Please help!



Jason

 

[Dieselnerd]

The trick is they are pressed in and take a large press to get out. For smaller ones other than on the Dodge you can sometimes do it in a bench vise. The easiest solution is to take it to a driveshaft shop and let them remove the old one and press in the new. They don't charge much and it's done right. This is what I do whenever I need to change a U joint.

 

[bighammer]

I assume you have the little clips off. A hammer and an old socket (with liquid wrench) will get them moving. (losened up) Then you can use a vise to press them out.

 

[GSchlegel]

I tried changing mine at 190,000 miles. Soaked them everyday for a week with liquid Wrench - wouldn't budge. Finially took the truck to a truck driveline shop, just like Dieselnerd suggests.



Gene

 

[redramnc]

I would suggest getting the drive shaft balance checked, especially if it banged around any. It may also have twisted the shaft some depending on exactly how it failed. Drive shaft walls are not that thick and you can twist one up if the shock load is great enough. A good driveline shop can fix it better than new and the cost is surprisingly small compared to alot of other things that can and do break.



A ball joint press is a good tool for getting U-joints out. I have an OTC screw-type tool for GM upper control arm bushings that works slicker than goose poop on u-joints. Just make sure you support the ear on the shaft because they will break off or bend badly.

 

[Extreme1]

A vice is a pretty strong press and combined with the right sized sockets should do the job.



But, like redramnc suggested, you might want to have it checked. Be sure they are competent, I had dealings with one that was not. DO NOT TAKE IT TO BLUE TRUCK EQUIPMENT IN GREEN BAY!



So, how slick is goose poop on a u-joint?

 

[Wally19]

I fixed It

I got it fixed with a vise and a couple sockets. I had a buddy come over that knew what he was doing, so all was well.



The U joint didnt break completly, it just lost all the needle bearings under one cap, and I got a bad vibration. It happened on my way home from work, and got it fixed that night. The drive shaft didnt hit the ground, itt just was vibrating for 20 miles or so. Should I take it out and still have it checked?

TIA



Jason

 

[johnrv4]

You should be OK

You should be Ok Jason, I wouldn't worry about it if it just lost the needles. . See you in Iowa?