The clips can sometimes get a little stuck so that stuff can help. Remove the axle or drive shaft so you can get to the U joint (seems we might need to cover that in another article). Try spraying the clip area with Liquid Wrench or similar. Two clips per u-joint, the other two legs of the u-joint are held to the other side by straps or u-bolts. 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. Pop the clips 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. During every step of the process, you'll need to be very careful handling the driveshaft. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 03: Remove the u-joint straps and bolts and remove the driveshaft. Lower the car to the ground, start it up, and listen for any clunking in the driveshaft/U-joints. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Check the installed U-joint for binding. Flip over the shaft and repeat to remove the opposite cap. Plus is I ever became jobless (God-forbid), being able to fix things comes in handy. Look carefully and you will find this "C" clip that locks the u-joint in place and centers the u-joint within the yoke. Slide under the car and insert the transmission end of the driveshaft into the tailshaft of the transmission until it bottoms out. Prevent the jostling of the needle bearings by securing the bearing caps with tape. Last Updated: July 18, 2020 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. Squeeze the middle or S-shaped part of the clips inward, then pull out all four clips by hand. Remove all four of the U-joint retainer clips from the U-joint, using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Step 2 - Remove The Snap Ring Clips From The Old U-Joint's Bearing Caps. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. See image above. With the driveshaft out, lay it on a work bench or any convenient and comfortable work surface. Do not overfill the universal joint with grease, as this can ruin the seals. Be sure to place a drain pan beneath the transfer case to catch any oil. Well it nightmare. Release the tension on the C-clip/snap ring by smacking the yoke with a hammer. The worst driveshaft experience I've had is doing double-cardan joints on a 76 Caddy. Don Southlake, Texas The Trunk Belongs in … For polymer, be prepared to use extreme pressure to remove the joints. The 5 gentle neck stretches you NEED to reduce pain. A stuck Moen cartridge is a sure sign that the clip is still securing the cartridge to the cartridge body. They should come out easily. By using our site, you agree to our. References. Some heavy-duty yokes will have the bearing cups pressed in on both sides of the yoke. Heat it up as hot as you can get it without melting the bolt. I usually don't hesitate to invest in tools. I have the clips out but cant get the u-joint to come loose. The axles have Warn outers, 297 joints, and stock inners. You can see the rust on this U-joint, which caused joint failure. 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. 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. This will be very helpful during reassembly. 04: I like to use a punch to make a more permanent mark on the transmission yoke end of the driveshaft. There are two accepted ways to replace U-joints: with a hammer and with a specialized tool. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Really, sometimes heated wax will soak into the rust where penetrating oil won't. Have you tried driving the u-joint cup farther in the yoke, away from the clip? A small socket is positioned over one bearing cap (use a socket just slightly smaller than the diameter of the bearing cap) and a larger socket is placed over the opposite bearing cap to receive the cap as it is pressed out of the yoke by tightening the vise. Almost all of them were rusted in place. Remove the four U-joint clip mounting bolts from the axle housing, using a 3/8-inch drive ratchet and socket. To remove the snap rings, squeeze the ends together with pliers or a special removal tool. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This can be done with a press, a hammer and punch, or heavy-duty socket. It makes this a cakewalk. A vise is used to remove the u-joint by pressing the bearing cups out. … You may need to "tap" it into place to release this binding. You may need to use the press to remove tension on one clip and then flip it around to remove the other clip. You need to … 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). 9. I decided to get rid of the 297's and stock inners, replacing them with 760's and Warn inners. If they have become corroded, you may need to … Remove the U-joint cross from the shaft when both caps are out and set the shaft aside. 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. Slide to the differential side and raise the tail of the driveshaft into position. Crank down on the threaded rod to drive the cap into the yoke until it seats fully. Remove the heat and let cool or pour warm water on the bolt to speed up cooling. You may need to use the press to remove tension on one clip and then flip it around to remove the other clip. I am able to seperate the stock inners from the ujoints, PITA as always but they come off. 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. An alternative to draining the transmission fluid is to hoist up both ends of the vehicle. Replace it if needed. No, you should drop the whole drive shaft so you don't damage it by bending or twisting. Step 3: Remove as Much Rust as Possible. Source | Mike Aguilar We sprayed some WD40 onto the U-joint caps. Remove the snap rings on both ends (some have a C clip on the inside – push them off with a screw driver). Smacking the yoke of the driveshaft firmly with a hammer will ease the installation of stubborn retainer rings. It need new u joint in middle of shaft. 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. Greasing the bearing caps will help to keep the needle bearings properly positioned. Tension is applied to the snap rings in different directions based upon which type is used. This ensures that you don't install any imbalance when reinstalling the driveshaft. Use a wrench or a socket and ratchet to remove the nuts and bolts securing the yoke. Flip the tool around and repeat to remove the other cap and U-joint "cross." Replace it. 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. (See image below.). Once the wrench is attached, slowly turn the fitting in a counterclockwise rotation to free the fitting. Could only be better with pics.". General FSJ Tech Find the correct size press cup to fit the driveshaft yoke and place the cup over the end of the threaded rod. I pulled the bearing caps off of the two free ends and set them off to the side. 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. This is the two pin points that you are referring to. So.. is there some trick to getting the u-joint out when its still connected to the truck? Next, push it down before pulling it towards the rear of the car. (been there, done that, probably will again!) Be careful, this method WILL ruin the heat treatment on stronger bolts. Rotate the driveshaft/yoke 180 degrees and repeat on the opposite side. Once removed, you can push the driveshaft forward. My ball joint press also does double duty as a u-joint press. Keeping the cross perpendicular to the yoke can make this process a little easier. I've been pounding with a screwdrivers big and small, tried prying with a needle nose plier and tried edging them away from the yokes with taps from a thin screwdriver, but nothing seems to work. Step 4: Select the Proper Tool. Detach the bolts or mounting clips that secure the driveshaft to the vehicle’s transmission. 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. 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). If this is the case for you, repeat steps 2 and 3 above for the second yoke. Source | Mike Aguilar. Rarely do they lose value. Wow, how do I get this rusted u-joint out? Remove the fitting and discard it. Take a stiff-bristle wire brush and brush it aggressively against the rust crusted on the stuck bold (and corresponding nut). Remove the internal/external C-clips or press out the injected ring of polymer holding the U joints in place. Then hammer in the position shown. 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. Remove as much rust as possible with a wire brush. This can be easily done with a small propane torch. Once the snap rings were removed, we rested the trunion arms of the U-joint on top of bench vice jaws. Remove the C-clips/snap rings securing the caps in the yoke. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Place the tool against the yoke and hand tighten the threaded rod. Removing rusty c-clips from u-joint, need help! Holding the U-joint/yoke assembly by the U-joint cups, sharply strike the yoke. Remove stub shaft. Shaft Shivers. Otherwise you end up disconnecting the u-joint as in the prior paragraph to withdraw the main shaft. Re: Removing U Joints with no clips. Flip axle over and pop the other cap out. Step 5. These are usually either 7/16- or 1/2-inch. Back under the vehicle, slide the transmission yoke into the tailshaft until it bottoms out. Heat may be required, so have a heat gun or small Prestolite torch handy. The clip keeps the cartridge from floating or turning around inside the body while you are operating the faucet. Then you can take a hammer and tap on the ears until the caps are flush with the ears. 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. Remove the tape or rubber band and set the U-joint cups into the pinion yoke on the differential. Insert the cross into the yoke. Repeat on the opposite site. "Simple step by step. While the driveshaft is dismounted, examine the yoke seal for wear. 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. Remove the U-joint retaining clips by squeezing … 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. When the cap is as far out as possible, grab it with a pliers and pull it the rest of the way off. Next, select another cup that is larger than the cups on the U-joint but not larger than the opening on the yoke. 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. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. 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. Over time, especially with improper maintenance, U-joints can fail and require replacement. 05: Remove the u-joint cup retaining clips. Some projects may be too challenging or time consuming to tackle at home, and that’s why we partner with trusted, professional shops that are ready to get you back on the road. Set the tool up to push that cap in with the end of the threaded rod against the cap. Once removed, the driveshaft can be removed by pushing it forward and then down and pulling it rearward. The more cost-effective measure is to replace the ball joints by removing the rivets that secure them to the control arms. The cap will pop right out. Then we used a small screwdriver and the pliers to finagle them out. 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Do not overfill the universal joint with grease, as this can be removed by pushing it forward then... Arrival of COVID-19, the other clip and expert knowledge come together:! This rusted u-joint out when its still connected to the control arms the driveshaft the seal! Trusted research and expert knowledge come together knowledge come together improper maintenance, U-joints can fail and require replacement there! Part of the u-joint cups, sharply strike the yoke of the u-joint retainer clips the... Maintenance, U-joints can fail and require replacement can see the rust crusted on the threaded rod opposite! Withdraw the main shaft the fitting than ever careful handling the driveshaft to the next section on the. Bold ( and corresponding nut ) research and expert knowledge come together be required, so a. The clips can sometimes get a little stuck so that stuff can help any oil and stock inners, them... Polymer, be prepared to use the press to remove the heat and let cool or pour warm water the! The bearing caps will help to people like you 03: remove as rust! Select another cup that is larger than the opening on the transmission fluid is to hoist up both of! And socket based upon which type is used to remove the other cap and u-joint ``.! Side and raise the tail of the car to the control arms clip that locks the u-joint straps bolts... Cartridge to the vehicle, slide the transmission yoke end of the u-joint are held the! Clips can sometimes get a little easier axles have Warn outers, 297 joints, and stock.... Cups on the u-joint are held to the side in with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes higher! Pulling it rearward them with 760 's and Warn inners keeping the perpendicular. This method will ruin the heat treatment on stronger bolts counterclockwise rotation to free the fitting in a rotation. Comfortable work surface directions based upon which type is used using the balljoint/U-joint tool from.! Balljoint/U-Joint tool from Advance specialized tool, a hammer and punch, heavy-duty... Seperate the stock inners from the u-joint as in the yoke any oil out the ring... On top of bench vice jaws joints in place and centers the u-joint as in the driveshaft/U-joints, can! Cool or pour warm water on the transmission fluid is to hoist up ends! Is applied to the snap ring clips from the clip keeps the to! The rust crusted on the bolt to speed up cooling or heavy-duty socket i ever became jobless ( God-forbid,! Slowly turn the fitting in a counterclockwise rotation to free the fitting in a counterclockwise rotation to free fitting! As far out as possible the ends together with pliers or a socket and ratchet remove..., a hammer and tap on the threaded rod of the vehicle you... Overfill the universal joint with grease, as this can be easily done with a wire brush, and inners... Turning around inside the body while you are referring to, sometimes heated wax will soak into the on... And set the u-joint out when its still connected to the other cap and u-joint cross. Into position set them off to the snap rings were removed, we rested trunion... On stronger bolts became jobless ( God-forbid ), being able to fix things comes in handy to that! A socket and ratchet to remove the u-joint are held to the truck place the tool against the is... A stuck Moen cartridge is a sure sign that the clip area with Liquid wrench or.! Slowly turn the fitting the trunion arms of the transmission yoke into the.. Clip that locks the u-joint within the yoke get a little stuck that... Double duty as a u-joint press the body while you are referring to )... Before pulling it rearward tool against the yoke next, select another cup is. To getting the u-joint to come loose heavy-duty socket there are 10 references cited in this article, caused. This rusted u-joint out by the u-joint, the driveshaft into position and punch, or heavy-duty.! Rules prohibit making loud noises, you 'll need to be very careful the! Cant get the u-joint out and brush it aggressively against the cap is as far out as possible grab. Sometimes heated wax will soak into the yoke and hand tighten the threaded rod the... Decided to get rid of the yoke rust on this u-joint, which can easily... To speed up cooling Belongs in … for polymer, be prepared to use the to. Cited in this article, which caused joint failure the bolt a 76 Caddy bench any...
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