Easy U Joint Removal: No Press Needed! | Quick U Joint Replacement

Easy U Joint Removal: No Press Needed! | Quick U Joint Replacement

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Removing the Old U Joints
3. Difficulties with Installing the New U Joints
4. Smearing Axle Grease to Prevent Needle Bearings from Falling Out
5. The Decision to Keep the Original U Joint
6. Comparison Between the Original U Joint and the Conversion U Joint
7. Converting to the Older Style Yoke
8. Saving Money and Time with the Conversion U Joint
9. Checking the Condition of the Carrier Bearing
10. Conclusion

Removing and Installing U Joints in a Drive Shaft

Introduction

When working on a project truck, it is often necessary to replace worn-out parts. In this case, the U joints in the drive shaft of a 1968 C10 truck needed to be replaced. This article will guide you through the process of removing the old U joints and installing new ones.

Removing the Old U Joints

To begin, it is essential to remove the old U joints from the drive shaft. One of the U joints had already been replaced, but the other might be original to the truck. The process involved utilizing a press, which proved to be cumbersome and uncomfortable. An easier and more comfortable method was discovered, which will be explained in the following steps.

1. Apply penetrating oil to the U joints to loosen them.
2. Use a supporting object, such as a jack, to hold the drive shaft in place while punching the U joint through the other side.
3. Secure an appropriate-sized socket on the U joint and use a sledgehammer to tap it until it comes out.

Difficulties with Installing the New U Joints

Installing the new U joints proved to be more challenging than expected due to the design and thin grease of the joints.

1. The needle bearings in the new U joints kept falling out during installation.
2. Tapping the U joints with a hammer caused the bearings to become dislodged and stuck in the caps.
3. The problem was resolved by using heavy-duty axle grease on the needle bearings to hold them in place while tapping the caps.

The Decision to Keep the Original U Joint

Although one of the new U joints was successfully installed, the decision was made to keep the other U joint, considering its overall condition and the ease of replacement in the future.

1. The existing U joint, potentially original to the truck, appeared worn but still moved freely without any hard spots.
2. The drive shaft configuration in the truck made it easier to replace this specific U joint if necessary in the future.
3. This decision would save both time and effort.

Comparison Between the Original U Joint and the Conversion U Joint

Due to the differences in size between the original U joint and the one required for the 99 Tahoe's 4L60E transmission, a conversion U joint was needed.

1. The U joint for the Tahoe's transmission was larger than the original one, requiring a conversion U joint to adapt to the older style yoke.
2. The conversion U joint allowed the use of a standard 4L60E yoke and newer GM U joint caps, ultimately connecting to the older style drive shaft.
3. This solution would save money compared to the alternatives of getting a new drive shaft or making modifications.

Converting to the Older Style Yoke

To complete the installation of the conversion U joint, it was necessary to switch to the older style yoke.

1. The drive shaft was no longer connected to a three-on-the-tree transmission, as it was replaced with a 57 Vortec engine and a modified 99 4L60E transmission.
2. The new conversion U joint allowed for compatibility between the newer yoke and the older drive shaft, eliminating the need for significant modifications.

Saving Money and Time with the Conversion U Joint

By opting for the conversion U joint, significant cost and time savings were achieved.

1. Creating a new drive shaft would have been more expensive and time-consuming.
2. The conversion U joint provided a cost-effective solution to adapt the existing drive shaft to the different transmission.

Checking the Condition of the Carrier Bearing

During the U joint replacement process, the condition of the carrier bearing was inspected.

1. Initially, the carrier bearing seemed to have excessive play, but it was later discovered that the rubber bushing was the cause of the movement.
2. The bearing itself was in good shape, without any play, and required only cleaning and regreasing.

Conclusion

Replacing the U joints in a drive shaft can be a challenging but necessary task when working on a project truck. By following the steps outlined in this article, it is possible to remove old U joints, install new ones, and make necessary adaptations for compatibility. With proper care and consideration, the process can be completed successfully, resulting in improved performance and reliability.