I felt this wasn't really drivetrain tech, and a lil' above Newb, so I'll try it here :weedman: I got hold of a used Warn hub conversion kit. The front and rear section of the drive shaft are spliced together at the carrier bearing so yes, you can remove just the rear section. Squeeze the middle or S-shaped part of the clips inward, then pull out all four clips by hand. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Slide it as far as possible to one side and push the new cap as far into the yoke as you can. The axles have Warn outers, 297 joints, and stock inners. Remove the axle or drive shaft so you can get to the U joint (seems we might need to cover that in another article). The worst driveshaft experience I've had is doing double-cardan joints on a 76 Caddy. Slide under the car and insert the transmission end of the driveshaft into the tailshaft of the transmission until it bottoms out. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Do not try to save one that's rusty. In order to save weight, the driveshaft is fairly light-gauge metal and can dent easily, and a dent in the driveshaft can cause it to be out of balance. Press the bearing cups out of the yoke. We sprayed some WD40 onto the U-joint caps. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The clips can sometimes get a little stuck so that stuff can help. Replacing universal joints refers to changing the couplings at either end of the drive shaft, which are an integral component of the suspension system of a vehicle. It need new u joint in middle of shaft. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 75,025 times. All 3R series replacement u-joints will have a groove in each bearing cap and come with 4 "C" clips that must be installed to center the u-joint correctly. This occurs when the joints are lubricated regularly. General FSJ Tech Use a wrench or a socket and ratchet to remove the nuts and bolts securing the yoke. While the driveshaft is dismounted, examine the yoke seal for wear. You may need to "tap" it into place to release this binding. With the driveshaft out, lay it on a work bench or any convenient and comfortable work surface. Over time, especially with improper maintenance, U-joints can fail and require replacement. Source | Mike Aguilar Place a bearing cup under one of these openings and tap the yoke to seat the cup. Next, select another cup that is larger than the cups on the U-joint but not larger than the opening on the yoke. Use our directory to find a qualified technician near you. Have you tried driving the u-joint cup farther in the yoke, away from the clip? The rear yoke is secured to the differential yoke with either two nuts and bolts or four bolts, depending on year, make, and model of your vehicle. Take a stiff-bristle wire brush and brush it aggressively against the rust crusted on the stuck bold (and corresponding nut). Could only be better with pics.". See image above. Back under the vehicle, slide the transmission yoke into the tailshaft until it bottoms out. To remove the snap rings, squeeze the ends together with pliers or a special removal tool. To remove the driveshaft, the car has to be in the air, either level or with the rear higher than the front to keep fluid from leaking out of the transmission. Note that it is VERY EASY for the bearing caps to slide off of the u-joint, hit the floor, and scatter the enclosed needle bearings ALL over the place. Last Updated: July 18, 2020 This can be easily done with a small propane torch. Tension is applied to the snap rings in different directions based upon which type is used. Then you can take a hammer and tap on the ears until the caps are flush with the ears. Don Southlake, Texas The Trunk Belongs in … Wow, how do I get this rusted u-joint out? Once you've removed your driveshaft from the vehicle, you'll need to remove the snap ring clips that hold the u-joint's cross piece to the yoke. Step 4. Flip over the shaft and repeat to remove the opposite cap. The 5 gentle neck stretches you NEED to reduce pain. 05: Remove the u-joint cup retaining clips. Once the snap rings were removed, we rested the trunion arms of the U-joint on top of bench vice jaws. Replacing a U-joint with No Special Tools, How to Replace a Rack and Pinion Steering Assembly, How to Replace Leaf Spring Shackles and Bushings, How to Service and Replace Tapered Wheel Bearings, Socket and ratchet (Usually 7/16- or 1/2-inch), 5/8-inch heavy-duty socket or metal billet, Powerbuilt Balljoint/U-joint tool (for alternate method). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Replace it. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This process isn't complicated, so anyone with garage access and a moderate amount of automotive experience can accomplish this repair task on their own. Remove the C-clips/snap rings securing the caps in the yoke. Release the tension on the C-clip/snap ring by smacking the yoke with a hammer. Can the 2 rear joints be changed without having to remove or disturb the carrier bearing on a 92 f-150 extended cab truck? Tape keeps that from happening. I am able to seperate the stock inners from the ujoints, PITA as always but they come off. Remove the fitting and discard it. If you've got an out-of-balance driveshaft, you're going to have a whole new source of vibration and a new set of problems to address. Rarely do they lose value. Worst it still have damn c clip hold shaft to diff. Source | Mike Aguilar. Rust should be removed from the root of the thread all the way to the end so the nut doesn't gall and seize as it turns. … This will be very helpful during reassembly. Step 4: Select the Proper Tool. % of people told us that this article helped them. Rotate the driveshaft/yoke 180 degrees and repeat on the opposite side. I pulled the bearing caps off of the two free ends and set them off to the side. Keeping the cross perpendicular to the yoke can make this process a little easier. Find the correct size press cup to fit the driveshaft yoke and place the cup over the end of the threaded rod. Removing rusty c-clips from u-joint, need help! Step 5. Re: Removing U Joints with no clips. The more cost-effective measure is to replace the ball joints by removing the rivets that secure them to the control arms. I decided to get rid of the 297's and stock inners, replacing them with 760's and Warn inners. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Follow these steps for how to replace universal joints. If on the rare chance the shaft and tube assembly may be so badly rusted that the shaft cannot be turned, or it may be turned with some force but cannot be withdrawn from the felt bushings, then you end up removing the clamp under the dash to remove the entire steering column assembly from the car. Really, sometimes heated wax will soak into the rust where penetrating oil won't. wikiHow's. Flip the tool around and repeat to remove the other cap and U-joint "cross." Flip axle over and pop the other cap out. Step 3: Remove as Much Rust as Possible. If neighborhood rules prohibit making loud noises, you will need to skip to the next section on using the balljoint/U-joint tool from Advance. Smacking the yoke of the driveshaft firmly with a hammer will ease the installation of stubborn retainer rings. Lift the rear of the shaft into place and install the straps/bolt the flanges together, making sure to line up the marks you made during removal. Dry U-joints will have rust inside, not grease. Pop the clips out. Slide to the differential side and raise the tail of the driveshaft into position. Remove all four of the U-joint retainer clips from the U-joint, using a pair of needle-nose pliers. "Simple step by step. Step 2 - Remove The Snap Ring Clips From The Old U-Joint's Bearing Caps. Almost all of them were rusted in place. Try spraying the clip area with Liquid Wrench or similar. To get the last 2 caps out, you can lay the ujoint across the vice jaws (lay the ends with the caps already removed on top of the jaws). (been there, done that, probably will again!) I have the clips out but cant get the u-joint to come loose. By using our site, you agree to our. So.. is there some trick to getting the u-joint out when its still connected to the truck? Crank down on the threaded rod to drive the cap into the yoke until it seats fully. Lower the car to the ground, start it up, and listen for any clunking in the driveshaft/U-joints. 2) due to #1 I am now trying to replace them without taking the shaft off. A vise is used to remove the u-joint by pressing the bearing cups out. Otherwise you end up disconnecting the u-joint as in the prior paragraph to withdraw the main shaft. 03: Remove the u-joint straps and bolts and remove the driveshaft. These are usually either 7/16- or 1/2-inch. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Continue tightening the threaded rod to push one cap out of the yoke. Many people consider this unnecessary but change their minds the first time a cap falls off during installation and the needle bearings go all over the shop floor. There are two accepted ways to replace U-joints: with a hammer and with a specialized tool. They should come out easily. Remove the tape or rubber band and set the U-joint cups into the pinion yoke on the differential. A stuck Moen cartridge is a sure sign that the clip is still securing the cartridge to the cartridge body. Plus is I ever became jobless (God-forbid), being able to fix things comes in handy. Remove the internal/external C-clips or press out the injected ring of polymer holding the U joints in place. Clanging noises while traveling at high speeds is symptomatic of worn out universal joints, but removing and inspecting them is the only way to fully diagnose the problem. Once the cup is seated and straight in the yoke, hammer the yoke home and install the C-clip or snap ring. It makes this a cakewalk. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. The idea is to have one side of our bolt expand from the heat and break the rust. Check the installed U-joint for binding. Remove and flip the tool and repeat on the other side until both caps are properly seated and you can install the C-clips/snap rings to lock them in place. NOTE: your are not clamping the axle, just resting it on the ears of the stub shaft. Place the tool against the yoke and hand tighten the threaded rod. Set the tool up to push that cap in with the end of the threaded rod against the cap. Then lay the axle in a vise as shown. If the lower bolt head is not intact, the grease fitting must be removed with a grease fitting removal tool, as outlined in step 3. Then hammer in the position shown. Remove the C-clips/snap rings securing the caps in the yoke. When using sockets to enable the removal of the bearing caps, be sure that they are small enough to move freely through the yoke. Two clips per u-joint, the other two legs of the u-joint are held to the other side by straps or u-bolts. Can I replace the rear universal joint without dropping the whole drive shaft? Once removed, the driveshaft can be removed by pushing it forward and then down and pulling it rearward. Install the C-clips/snap rings to lock these cups into place. Depending upon the type of cartridge you have, you may have one or two retainer clips to remove … Secure two opposing cups to the new U-joint with a rubber band or tape and remove the two other cups carefully and slide the polished ends of the U-joint into the yoke openings. Remove the snap rings on both ends (some have a C clip on the inside – push them off with a screw driver). Install the U-joint clamps to secure the U-joint to the pinion yoke and tighten the nuts and bolts. Detach the bolts or mounting clips that secure the driveshaft to the vehicle’s transmission. Why not use a corbide burr or stone in a Dremal tool and grind them into,so you can brake them. Holding the U-joint/yoke assembly by the U-joint cups, sharply strike the yoke. My ball joint press also does double duty as a u-joint press. Well it nightmare. Make sure the joint pivots easily. Remove the U-joint cross from the shaft when both caps are out and set the shaft aside. Prevent the jostling of the needle bearings by securing the bearing caps with tape. You may need to use the press to remove tension on one clip and then flip it around to remove the other clip. Remove the U-joint cap straps with your hands, pull the U-joint and driveshaft from the yoke, and pull the driveshaft away from the transfer case. Be careful, this method WILL ruin the heat treatment on stronger bolts. Be sure to place a drain pan beneath the transfer case to catch any oil. Then we used a small screwdriver and the pliers to finagle them out. U-joints are a cross-shaped part that connect your vehicle's driveshaft to the transmission and differential and allow for the vehicle's suspension to move up and down without breaking the driveshaft. An alternative to draining the transmission fluid is to hoist up both ends of the vehicle. Shaft Shivers. No, you should drop the whole drive shaft so you don't damage it by bending or twisting. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Replace-Universal-Joints-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-Universal-Joints-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Replace-Universal-Joints-Step-1.jpg\/aid1457388-v4-728px-Replace-Universal-Joints-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"