Jeff in VA
<---respect
- Location
- Richmond, VA
I had to swap in a new front driveshaft today, so here's some basic tech for anyone who’s never changed a U-joint. There’s a couple different ways of accomplishing it, and here’s one way…with a ball joint press kit (about $40). I bought it last year because I’m eventually going to change ball joints and axle end control arm bushings, but it works great for UJ’s too. I clamp it in a bench vise also.
Press kit:
start by removing the clips that hold the bearing caps in place, using a pair of needle-nose pliers:
after both clips are removed, mount the joint inside the press:
press the joint thru the yoke, almost the whole way across, to push the opposite side cap out so you can remove it
pull the bearing cap off, put the UJ back in the press in the other direction, and reverse the process to push the other cap out of the yoke
one it’s pressed the other direction, pull that cap off and remove the joint
to install the new UJ, make sure the zerk fitting is facing the direction of the shaft (if it is greasable). Remove the zerk now, so you can press the joint in fully. You’ll reinstall it later
remove two bearing caps from opposite sides of the new UJ, put one cap squarely in the yoke and slip the cross inside
press the bearing cap thru the yoke until it is pressed ¾ of the way through, and line up the cross
Press kit:
start by removing the clips that hold the bearing caps in place, using a pair of needle-nose pliers:
after both clips are removed, mount the joint inside the press:
press the joint thru the yoke, almost the whole way across, to push the opposite side cap out so you can remove it
pull the bearing cap off, put the UJ back in the press in the other direction, and reverse the process to push the other cap out of the yoke
one it’s pressed the other direction, pull that cap off and remove the joint
to install the new UJ, make sure the zerk fitting is facing the direction of the shaft (if it is greasable). Remove the zerk now, so you can press the joint in fully. You’ll reinstall it later
remove two bearing caps from opposite sides of the new UJ, put one cap squarely in the yoke and slip the cross inside
press the bearing cap thru the yoke until it is pressed ¾ of the way through, and line up the cross