u-joint replacement

[upchuck]

there's got to be a better way to pop joints loose. I did the sockets and vise trick and my d30 joint wouldn't "pop" loose without EXTREME force on the handle and then help with a hammer. I can't see doing this in the field with or without the HF tool, at least not in a reasonable time. I had so much force on the hub ears that I put an angle to them, preventing both clips from going back in(out came the grinder)

[go1lum]

How long have your Ujoints been in use? I have no problem replacing mine with a light brass hammer and a couple pieces of wood.

[howell_jeep]

Originally Posted by upchuck

there's got to be a better way to pop joints loose. I did the sockets and vise trick and my d30 joint wouldn't "pop" loose without EXTREME force on the handle and then help with a hammer. I can't see doing this in the field with or without the HF tool, at least not in a reasonable time. I had so much force on the hub ears that I put an angle to them, preventing both clips from going back in(out came the grinder)

If they've been there a while, heat it up with a torch and they'll slide out.

[whiterhino]

Make sure your c-clips are out. Hold the axle in one hand & take a BFH in the other. Hit the yoke HARD on the main beefy part of the axle. Half a dozen good wacks & it'll be on it's way out. (opposite & equal reaction)

[upchuck]

This is the second one put in(pass side) and had just as much grief 1st time, but then I was forgetting the clips that time. Thought they'd pop easier this go around duh.

[sandfox4]

i put them in with a vice and socket, take them out with a bfh and vice, cant really explain it, sorry

[orangepile]

Go to Auto Zone and get there ball joint loan a tool. Works better on u-joints than it does on ball joints.

[scramblerman72]

why over think it.. Jim is on the right page for a trail fix. but if ya have a vice just close it down to the shaft and place the ears of the joint on the vice so the shaft can be hit down , when you hit the Beefy part of the shaft as Jim said the Joint body drive the cap out of the shaft, flip it over and repeat ... then to drive them in I just put the body in the shaft and lift it up so the body sticks through the shaft and place the cap on it and tap down with a hammer flip it over and do the same for the other side then use a socket to counter sink the cap farther...then after clips are installed it is important to releive pressure on the caps by using the same step to remove them on the vice and give them one tap each and free up the joint so it moves free and easy

[skife]

the vise is a pretty quick way to do it, my uncle was teaching me how to do them and it took all of 5 minutes to do my axle joints.