u joint removal help

[SLangegger]

i need to replace the ujoints in the rear drive shaft. i got one of them out but had a real hard time doing so. does anyone have any suggestions or tricks on how to get these things out. i have one more to go and will wait for replys. i think i am a competent mechanic. are these things really that hard to change the first time??

 

[whamby]

The best way is with a press. I done my with a BFH (Big F-ing Hammer) and a piece of bar stock roughly the same size as the u-joint cap.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I normally run my driveshaft into a driveline shop and let them do it. Fast and they don't charge much more than the cost of parts since you removed the shaft for them. Front axle U joints are pretty easy (Once the hubs are out) but the rear driveshafts have always resisted my efforts to pound them out mostly because of the awkward length of the shaft. I don't have a press and seldom need one so I never bought one.