U-Joint Replacement Questions

[thompsdw]

While I have never worked on u-joints, I am very mechanically capable and plan to service them on my alpha drive. I do have a few dumb questions. The cross obviously spins on some sort of a bearing that I assume is inside of a sleeve. Most of the u-joint parts I see don't have bearings listed with them?<br /><br />How are these darn things designed? I am trying to get prepped before I pull my drive for the first time. Assuming that they have some sort of a bearing, then do you change the bearing and the cross????<br /><br />Any references to a guide with pictures would be really helpful to get me started ...

 

[Puffdragon]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

You might wanna include what type of drive you have.

 

[Bondo]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

Before you even Think about it, Go to the top of this page,+ Click on Manuals......................

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

Make a note or take pictures before you begin so you end up with all the grease fittings in the right direction when you get done.<br /><br />You can use a hammer and sockets as punches and cups to pound the others out into. Do it with a hammer or use a big vise as a press. <br /><br />Or use a special clamplike tool mounted in a vise.<br /><br />At any rate here are a few pages of general ujoint replacement jobs on vehicles.<br /><br />Probably the biggest problem is when the little needles become unsettled. <br /><br /> http://128.83.80.200/taco/joint.html <br /><br /> http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/axle/ujoint/ <br /><br /> http://www.bc4x4.com/pr/2000/tigertool/tigertool.cfm <br /><br />

 

[rodbolt]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

hello. <br /> I just use a hammer. use a thin punch to drive off the circlipretainers. on the alpha drives you will have 2 options. 1 is dissaemble and romove the entire shat and yoke assy from the upper drive or 2 take a die grinder and carefully enlarge two of the projections on the spanner nut that holds the assy in place. there is not quite enough room to get the cap to clear them without adding a small amount of clearence.<br /> once you have the required clearence and are sure the retainers are out. remove the caps from the drive unit yoke by tapping on the center socket cross and drive the cap out though the previously created opening. spin the shaft 180 degrees in the normal rotation direction and repeat. now the center socket and drive shaft splined yoke will be in your hands .<br /> good luck I can do it this way and whale on the flat rate time allowed .<br /> keep us posted and have fun I just did a set today. along with a shaft coupler and a shift cable,gimbal bearing and drive bellows. caught up on all the customers neglected maintence at once.

 

[Beer Float]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

Hey txboatboy yeah the u-joint replacement is a very easy job. However some things included in this job can be a pain. but make sure if you change the u-joints to check for water getting in the u-joint bellows and check that gimbil berring to make sure it is smooth if you have to change the gimbal berring you need a slide hammer " you will probably need a 2 jaw slide hammer I had to slam mine pretty hard to get it out it probably heated up due to bad berring. make sure you check for any little crack in the bellow you will probably want to remove the bellow to see I couldnt see the crack in mine until it was removed. the biggest pain I am running in to is that I replaced the bellow and I am having a heck of a time getting that u-joint cardon through the bellow to reinstall the out drive, overall the job is pretty simple but may be some things that are a pain along the way and I would also recommend a manual first and look through it before you start the job. Good Luck

 

[thompsdw]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

How many tools do I really need to do this job? For example, do I need the bellows expander to change the bellows? Do the automotive tools work on boat u-joints?<br /><br />What else?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: U-Joint Replacement Questions

Hello<br /> well to change the bellows on a alpha drive to replace the exhaust bellows on the gimal housing without the expander is fun. I did it once, bought the tool after that .<br /> all I ever do is notch the spanner nut towers for the ujoint cap to clear. then remove the ujoint keeper clips then just me and a hammer. its not difficult at all and they are not as tight as most automoive ujoints. and they new joints from merc dont have grease fittings. that is a whole different post good luck and keeep us posted