U-Joint issues!

[scully]

I'm having issues installing new u-joints on my front driveshaft! :mad: I can't compress them enough to get mounted into the flange. I've got a 4" vice and 6" C-clamp and have not had any success with them. Am I missing something?? Is there another way to compress the u-joint?
Its a 95 YJ and the new u-joints are Spicer 5-153X.

Thanks,

[DsrtJeeper]

I'm having issues installing new u-joints on my front driveshaft! :mad: I can't compress them enough to get mounted into the flange. I've got a 4" vice and 6" C-clamp and have not had any success with them. Am I missing something?? Is there another way to compress the u-joint?
Its a 95 YJ and the new u-joints are Spicer 5-153X.

Thanks,

Run over to "China Freight" and get their 3-in-1 tool for pressing ball joints and u-joints. Works like a charm. ;)

[twstdtj]

If all else fails you can come up to Snottsdale and use my press

[Renob]

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/ujoint2/ujoint-1.htm

[paparonbo]

Run over to "China Freight" and get their 3-in-1 tool for pressing ball joints and u-joints. Works like a charm. ;)
I just got done doing mine with the 3 in 1 yesterday. It didn't work like a charm, but it made it a LOT easier. I used the press attached to an electric impact wrench. Part way through I was looking for place to take it with a press.

[Gordon]

Are you sure you didn't drop any of the roller bearings down in the cup?
It will never compress then.
Sorry, don't mean to be pessimistic! It does happen.

[scully]

Thanks for the replies guys! Since the first joint wasn't going so well I tried the other side. That attempt went well. The caps and u-joint lined up nicely and everything slid into place like it should. So I tried the other side again and still no luck. The caps were just not compressing. So I took that side out and made another attempt with a new u-joint (props to 4 wheelers for their buy 2 get 1 free deal!) and it worked like a charm! There weren't any needle bearings loose in the caps so I'm not sure why it wasn't lining up and the caps looked like they were going in straight.

[xFallen]

I'm having issues installing new u-joints on my front driveshaft! :mad: I can't compress them enough to get mounted into the flange. I've got a 4" vice and 6" C-clamp and have not had any success with them. Am I missing something?? Is there another way to compress the u-joint?
Its a 95 YJ and the new u-joints are Spicer 5-153X.

Thanks,


Okay. I was wondering why everyone was talking about compressing u-joints on a DRIVESHAFT but I see you really meant axle.


Barry

[Antman]

Originally Posted by scully
I'm having issues installing new u-joints on my front driveshaft! I can't compress them enough to get mounted into the flange. I've got a 4" vice and 6" C-clamp and have not had any success with them. Am I missing something?? Is there another way to compress the u-joint?
Its a 95 YJ and the new u-joints are Spicer 5-153X.

Thanks,







Okay. I was wondering why everyone was talking about compressing u-joints on a DRIVESHAFT but I see you really meant axle.


Barry



OK, I am still confused?:confused: Was it an axle u joint or driveshaft u joint???

[paparonbo]

You were able to get the U-joints in with a C-clamp and a vice? I have never been able to do it that easily :confused: Maybe I'm doing something wrong?? How much force should it take?

[scully]

I was trying to get the u-joints into the front Driveshaft. I got a replacement front driveshaft from Jeepnut that needed new u-joints.

I didn't end needing to use the vice or c-clamp to install the u-joint. I took off one of the caps and placed it in the flange. I tapped the top of the flange with a rubber mallet until the cap was flush with the flange. I then placed the u-joint in that cap and lined up the other cap so I could tap that one in. Next I used a socket to tap the cap past the channel for the snap ring. I put the snap ring in and flipped over the shaft and tapped in the other cap until I could put that snap ring in. This worked on 2 out of 3 of the u-joints, but for some reason it didn't work on one of them.

[yellow bad boy]

were they full of grease providing a sorta hydraulic lock? ive run into that b4 and grease will not compress just like a fallen neddle bearing? clean the grease out install it and then grease it.

[xFallen]

I was trying to get the u-joints into the front Driveshaft. I got a replacement front driveshaft from Jeepnut that needed new u-joints.

I didn't end needing to use the vice or c-clamp to install the u-joint. I took off one of the caps and placed it in the flange. I tapped the top of the flange with a rubber mallet until the cap was flush with the flange. I then placed the u-joint in that cap and lined up the other cap so I could tap that one in. Next I used a socket to tap the cap past the channel for the snap ring. I put the snap ring in and flipped over the shaft and tapped in the other cap until I could put that snap ring in. This worked on 2 out of 3 of the u-joints, but for some reason it didn't work on one of them.

Already. It is a driveshaft. I guess nobody reads posts. :rolleyes: :D

The only time that has ever happened to me is if a cap had come off and in theprocessof replacing it a needle bearing lodged itself inthe end, or, it was very dirty (was at night replacing it blind). No need for presses or any force whatsoever. If you have to force it, stop because something is very wrong. Check and double check the caps to make sure no needle bearings got dislodged. It can happen all to easily. The cap should turn freely with no change in pressure or feel as you turn it.

Best of luck.


Barry

[paparonbo]

Already. It is a driveshaft. I guess nobody reads posts. :rolleyes: :D Barry
LOL, thats funny. I read that twice earlier and both times I could have sworn that it said axleshafts. Guess since I just did my axleshafts I assumed that the whole world was doing theirs on the same day :D