replacing U-joints

[Grumpy]

while this is mostly is admitedly aimed at corvettes its far simpler for the live axle cars like novas camaros chevelles etc,but you can still get good info here


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33497

you might want to pick up one of these for your garage, the first time I replaced the U-joints in my vette the local machine shop was going to charge me $20 just to remove and replace EACH u-joint PLUS the cost of the U-joints if I REMOVED delivered and replaced the HALF shafts and DRIVE SHAFT, thats 6 u-joints x $20 or $120, the damn PRESS costs very close too the same amount and FROM THEN ON I could replace them myself , have a press in the garage and not spend any more money, to me thats a TOTAL NO BRAINER
once the drive shafts clean , re-assembled, and de-greased and dry,
a light coat of rust resistant paint, on the drive shaft,
rather than installing it bare metal, is a great Idea.
its also a good idea to use tape to paint three straight parallel lines,
the length of the drive shaft at 120 degrees spacing,
this allows you to instantly see if the engine torque,
and impact loads are twisting the drive shaft over time.

well, before it becomes an obvious issue

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=38335

heres helpfu info

http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette/im ... index.html

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005/december/u-joint/u-joint.asp

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005/november/arms/arms.asp

http://www.micro-controls.com/article-ujoints.html

http://www.micro-controls.com/cartools-ujoint.html

http://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/html/faq.html

http://personal.tmlp.com/scorp/vette/images/ujoints/index.html
first Ill point out that the U-joints made in china are JUNK, so get the AMERICAN MADE u-joints WITHOUT the grease nipples as that design is stronger
next , many machine shops charge $15-20 to remove and instal EACH u-joint with a press, thats 4 u-joints on the half shafts and two on the drive shaft (TOTAL 6) so it can EASILLY run you $90-120 in just labor IF YOU PULL THE SHAFTS and REINSTALL THEM (99% of the LABOR) and have a shop remove/reinstall the u-joints themselfs, thats INSANE if you are doing it on a regular basis, when you can buy a decent press for about the same cost as a single series of replacements

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=33497

this is a differant year but most of the info applies

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005...nt/u-joint.asp

http://www.micro-controls.com/article-ujoints.html

http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=X935


basically youll need a shop manual or similar instructions like the HAYNES manual,

you jack up the rear, place the frame on sturdy jack stands, remove the tires and youll need a long 1/4" extension with a universal and a 10mm socket to reach the straps retaining the u-joints on the inner ends and a shorter extention and box end wrench for the outer ends and the use of the floor jack to reduce the pressure on the rear suspension as you work on each side

BTW once you get familiar with the process you can replace ALL six u-joints in UNDER 4 hours, only need to do the 1/2 shafts, great youll complete that in under 2 hours with practice (WITHOUT AIR TOOLS) (under an hour WITH THEM)

http://www.spicerparts.com/measuring.asp

http://home.flash.net/~ivc1/cobra/irsvibes.html

http://www.dlssac.com/measureyokes.php

http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/tech_driveangles.htm

http://www.mavcc.com/PDFFiles/DriveTrainsSP02.pdf

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks ... -101.shtml

http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/index.html

http://www.actionmachineinc.com/driveshaftfaq.aspx

http://www.4x4now.com/gt0899.htm


tools

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=34214

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... ion=Search