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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

U-Joint Replacement

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Tip

08-10-2004 10:20:38




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I am replacing the front u-joints on my 1987 F150 4WD. The cups are stuck hard. I have tried knocking them out, but have not been successful. HarborFreight sells a press - glorified C clamp with bushings - for about $40.

Do I: (a) get a bigger hammer, (b) get a c clamp or (c) pull out the credit card and get the tool?

Thanks,

TIP




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cannonball

08-12-2004 06:10:55




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
i think i remember some companies used plastic to hold unjoint cups in ..you had to put in vise with a little room and heat to get rid of plastic..does anyone remember this???.....have nice day may god bless



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Tip

08-11-2004 11:16:13




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 Great suggestions - Thanks to all - NT in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
NT



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dog

08-11-2004 09:54:23




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
hey cat im right behind ya. i do it like that time after time.make sure all the retainer is out first!



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TheRealRon

08-11-2004 04:33:48




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
Every auto parts store I know of will loan you the tool if you buy the u-joints from them.



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TimFL

08-10-2004 20:23:05




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
Probably a dozen or more different ways to do it. Only advise I have is whatever method you use do not allow the yoke to get bent. The slightest misalignment of the yoke will decrease the life of the new one. And be careful with heat, to much will greatly weaken the yoke. I like to use either a shop press or a vise. Especially for install. To hard to keep the needles in place while beating with a hammer.

My$.02

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Cat

08-10-2004 20:04:29




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
If the drive line is off the vehicle just open the jaws of a good vise wide enough to drop the cross pins on top of the jaws with the yoke loose between the jaws. Then hit the yoke that is between the jaws with a one or two pound hammer just back of the cap, usualy one or two times takes the top cap completely out. Then rotate 180 deg. and repeat. Then 90 deg. to do the other half.



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Bob

08-10-2004 18:20:35




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
Blow them out QUICKLY with a cutting torch, to avoid overheating the yokes. Works every time, and only takes a few seconds.

Lacking a cutting torch, warm them up several times with a propane torch, letting them cool to ambient in between. With this heating and cooling and some penetrating oil, they will come loose.



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john in la

08-10-2004 13:50:53




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
1) forget the hammer. you are going to bend the yoke part that holds the bearing cup.
2) use a c-clamp or a vise with 2; 1/2" or 3/4" drive sockets. 1 smaller than cup to push with and 1 larger than cup to push into.
3) get the proper tool. In my opinion it only works better than a vise or c-clamp because you can put a 1/2" impact on it to enable you to drive it harder. Easier than turning a handle while you try to line every thing up.

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wdTom

08-10-2004 18:17:02




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to john in la, 08-10-2004 13:50:53  
This is the method I use. For a tough one, after I have it all in the vise and some pressure on it I take a punch and hammer and strike the yoke in the direction that will drive it off the U joint cup. Maybe heat it a LITTLE. Has always worked for my Dodge U joints.



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Steve (Magnolia, TX)

08-10-2004 14:25:36




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to john in la, 08-10-2004 13:50:53  
John, you were reading my mind!!

As to buying the right tool... Chances are you'll need to change another U-Joint, one of these days.

It ain't like it's a "useless" purchase...

Steve



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MAC,IL

08-10-2004 13:13:02




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
Try a little pb blaster and peck the yokes with a small hammer. I have never used anything but a large vise. Unhandy but it works for me.



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Geo in SD

08-10-2004 10:51:09




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Tip, 08-10-2004 10:20:38  
If you have an air hammer, try it. I've changed a lot of u-joints with just an air hammer. The impact and vibration will walk those cups right out of their sockets. It will put the new ones in, too.



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Pitch

08-10-2004 17:18:56




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Geo in SD, 08-10-2004 10:51:09  
I may just be talking out my butt here.That being said I just did the joints on my Chevy half ton and was told that GM joints have a slight bevel on them and they must be pushed from the inside out. I went in that direction and it was the easiest job ever. Possibly OEM Ford is the same?



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Chester

08-11-2004 18:21:08




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 Re: U-Joint Replacement in reply to Pitch, 08-10-2004 17:18:56  
A vice has always worked for me, with the driveshaft out. Weld a pipe and rod section to short angles that will stay put on the vise jaws. Size the pipe to just accept the u-joint cup's dia. and the rod to easily fit into the yoke's hole. These tools will allow your vise to push out the caps without damage to the yoke. Make up a "third hand stand" also..... a length of 2" pipe with a length of 1 1/2" pipe, sliding fit (into the 2") with a short length of channel welded "U" side up to the smaller pipe. Weld a nut on the side of the 2" section and install a crank handle on a bolt to fit that nut. Weld or otherwise fit a brake drum/disc to the lower end of that 2" pipe. Now you have an independant stand that is height adjustable to your vise and good for supporting other items when no-one else is around.

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