Oizarod115 Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 so, i decided to finally attempt a u-joint change myself (bro and i usually pay to have them changed after we've pulled the shafts out... we rented an autozone balljoint press (basically a HUGE steel c-clamp with an open end for the caps to go through) and go to work... we had no (that is to say a little bit of a PITA but it worked) troubles getting the u-jionts OUT of the shaft... but when it came time ot install them we got one side all the way in, and went to do the other shaft, and as i torqued down the press to get the last fraction of a millimeter i needed to install the c-clip... BLAM! :headpop: it made the same noise the old ones made when they came loose! loosened the press and (keep in mind 3 of 4 c-clips were installed at this time) THE END OF THE CAP BLEW OFF... like a can of pillsbury biscuits... the BRAND new u-joint cap blew right off... has anyone seen/heard of this happening? we even took the joint out and replaced the cap with one of the old spicer ones and pressed that one in and the SAME thing happened. did we do something improperly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldtooth Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 don't know, i usually just use a few sockets and a hammer to get ujoints out. use the socket the same size as the bearing cap and one big enough for the cap to go into. push one side out, pull off with pliers and take out ujoint. nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 are all the needle bearings still in place inside the cap? If even one of them slips out of position even a hair it'll bind the cap and prevent it from pressing in the whole way. You might try unscrewing the zerk fitting if there's too much grease in the joint...you might be compressing the grease back into the crosses as you press the cap in (just a guess there) Little tip, once you get them installed. If the joint feels stiff in any way, take a small hammer and tap all around the yokes while you move the joint thru all angles of motion. You'll feel it loosen up as you do it, as the vibration you cause unloads the stress on all the needle bearings in the caps. I've done them with the socket/hammer and with the clamp/presses, but I prefer to use a bench vise and a couple of sockets...it's easier to get everything lined up. Good luck! Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGMASS Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 take a small hammer and tap all around the yokes while you move the joint thru all angles of motion. Indeed. But I always use a 32oz ball pien and give er a good whack on the yolk between the shaft and cap. Like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Dude, I wish VERY MUCH you and I where closer. I feel responsable for this. i'm sure you tried it after talking to me about doing mine... I agree with the others, Its most probable that one or more "bearings slid down onder the cap causing your problem.... I had EXACT same thing happen on a trail, using the press to assemble a broken U-joint. Its almost like its TOO strong... Any how, here are a couple more pointers... I'll try to be as descriptive as I can. Once you get the old joint out. Clean the bores and inspect for "dings" from the old joints removal. Remove any burrs CAREFULLY with a file, being very carefule NOT to remove anymore metal than necessary to remove burr. Repeat for other side of joint. Then grease bores. Remove caps, add only enough grease to hold the "bearings" along the sides of the cap. Insert trunion into the LONG side axleshaft. Using a vice. (OR your press HELD in a vice.) Slide trunion to one side and carefully press on that cap. Now caerfilly slid trunion to otherside, but NOT completely out of the cap you just pressed on. Press on opposite side cap. Now to get the clips on you will need those sockets and a BFH. Do one side at a time and only push cap in far enough to get clip in. If you press in too far it will be even harder to do opposite side as now you are moving BOTH sides. Now repeat with stub shaft. I like to do stub last because its lighter and easier to handle and NOT LOOSE the "bearings". If at any timne you even think you may have lost a bearing. Remove that cap and check. Like others have told you. When your done, strike the sides of the joint with a rubber or dead blow hammer to "set" them. I prefer a dead blow to any steel hammer for this. You will know its good when they are no longer "stiff". Like I said, I really wish I could just come over and do this for you so you can see it done. I have two more sets of axles to do, I'll try to get some good pics and do a write up for all to see. Good luck, CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share Posted January 25, 2007 thats the thing... these were origional 17 yr old spicer joints... they were NOT comin out with the hammer (not a 32oz ballpeen either... I'm talkin mini-hand-sledge) and a 32mm socket for the one side with a 15 for the u-jiont side... no budge. borrowed the press it made removal a breeze... (after we figured the darn thing out... not the easiest tool to use in the kitchen with no vises... yeah, rain sucks) thats what my brother said though CW... the press seemed to be TOO strong. however when we pulled the blown cap off the first time, all bearings were still in the right places. so idk if maybe the joint was made bad? i have no idea, and we did do the tapping the ears to loosen it, my bro already knew that only thing i can think of we didnt do is inspect the ears, or file them.. we have another stub shaft i was going to try it with. these are non-grease zerk u-joints. but we did use a little redsticky grease, not to much though. and i have another question... when yall get the one cap off what do you usually do to get the other cap in the same shaft off? do you tap it out the opposite direction? or do you try to pull it out the side? (does that make sense?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I have another question... when y'all get the one cap off what do you usually do to get the other cap in the same shaft off? Do you tap it out the opposite direction, or do you try to pull it out the side? (Does that make sense?) Yes, Just turn it around and press ot out the opposite direction. You don't have to worry about hurting the trunion as its a old/bad one. You would not want to strike, press on NEW one as you could deform it and have problems with the joint later on. CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share Posted January 25, 2007 I have another question... when y'all get the one cap off what do you usually do to get the other cap in the same shaft off? Do you tap it out the opposite direction, or do you try to pull it out the side? (Does that make sense?) Yes, Just turn it around and press ot out the opposite direction. You don't have to worry about hurting the trunion as its a old/bad one. You would not want to strike, press on NEW one as you could deform it and have problems with the joint later on. CW so you're saying not to hit the new joint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWLONGSHOT Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Just the trunion.. If the caps are on it and your hitting it squarely, like when seating it in the axle. Have a ball, swing away. I am saying, just don't strike the bearing surfaces of a new trunion with out the caps on to protect the bearing surfaces. CW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I had a bit of trouble with the front UJ on my driveshaft before..it was almost like the ears were "sprung" a tiny bit, and when I put one side cap in, the joint was ever-so-slightly not centered in the yoke, and the other cap wouldn't press on the whole way. I ended up partially installing both caps in the ears, with the joint inbetween loosely, then pressing both caps in simultaneously (where the bench vise comes in real handy here) while guiding the ends into the needle bearings. It took about 4 tries until I got everything lined up just so. Keep at it, you'll get it! Jeff (oh, and to top it off, I put the rear joint in backwards..with the zerk facing the wrong way :oops: I have to grease it with a needle fitting now (I'm too lazy to take it apart and turn it around LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share Posted January 25, 2007 ok, yeah... we never hit the actual trunion, only the caps. guess the only thing i CAN do is try it again... gonna have to fill up the axle though cause ive been pooping gearoil out the passenger tube for a week now haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiscus Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 ok, yeah... we never hit the actual trunion, only the caps. guess the only thing i CAN do is try it again... gonna have to fill up the axle though cause ive been pooping gearoil out the passenger tube for a week now haha. You haven't been driving it w/o the stub shaft in have you? Just stuff an old rag in the hole and you shouldn't lose any gear oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 ok, yeah... we never hit the actual trunion, only the caps. guess the only thing i CAN do is try it again... gonna have to fill up the axle though cause ive been pooping gearoil out the passenger tube for a week now haha. You haven't been driving it w/o the stub shaft in have you? Just stuff an old rag in the hole and you shouldn't lose any gear oil. hahaha, no there'd be a much worse post in this thread called... I LOST MY UNIT BEARING ON THE HIGHWAY HELP HELP PLEAASE haha, that would be bad. I'm not so much worried about it being on my jeep or the ground as i am that either way its not in the diff or the disco. anymore :cry: oh well, shouldnt be another 4 days before i fix the joint then ill re-oil it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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