Changing U-joints [Archive] - Military Jeepers

HillBillE

03-07-2011, 22:08

Changing a U-joint, whether on an axle shaft or a drive shaft, is something we all will end up doing eventually.

You don't always have access to a press, or even the proper tools, when you most need them, like out on the trail.

What most of do have on the trail, are some basic hand tools, and a hammer.

I bought my hammer with changing U-joints in mind, the tapered end is perfect for it.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/IMG_20110307_130057.jpg

Here, I'm using a vice (and yes, I do carry one in my Jeep. It mounts into the reciever) But you don't need a vice. A good solid flat spot works, like a corner of a bumper.

Place the 'ear' or 'ears' of the cross against the vice or solid spot, and with the 'wedge' part of the hammer, hit the opposing ear just below the U-joint cap. (make sure all clips are removed before this)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/IMG_20110307_125822.jpg

With one or two hits, the cap will be driven out:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/IMG_20110307_125745.jpg

Removing the other side is the same process, but a bit easier, as you only have one side of the axle shaft or driveshaft to hold up:

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/IMG_20110307_125947.jpg

Take care not to get any needle bearings crossed up inside the cap when installing the new U-joint.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/IMG_20110307_131101.jpg

You can use the round side of the hammer to tap the caps into place. This shouldn't take a lot of force.

HB

tmoore03

03-07-2011, 22:18

Thanks for posting this! I am actually (well having my friend Q do it) changing my U-joints on Wednesday. I will have to show this to him. :)

HillBillE

03-07-2011, 22:23

I find it a lot easier to do it this way, compared to trying to drive the caps out using a socket and a hammer, or sockets and a vice.

tmoore03

03-07-2011, 22:59

I find it a lot easier to do it this way, compared to trying to drive the caps out using a socket and a hammer, or sockets and a vice.

I have never done this before so it will be learning for me

d-rail

03-08-2011, 00:16

hobbyshopass

03-08-2011, 01:55

Using the method listed which is a hammer and vice/flat surface is the best way I have found. As Chris can atest to, if you use a press or even a ball joint press or sockets and hammer you can actually close the ears together. I have changed so many U-Joints and have even bent the ears in. There will always be that one u-joint that does not want to come out so we hit it harder. We changed Chris's front shaft u-joint by using the press and bent the ears in. We were not able to fix it either, Chris got lucky and found a used shaft for pretty cheap. Once the ear is bent it is almost imposable to fix especially on the trail. Using the vice the way shown there should not be any worry about bending the ears.

Just my experience and .02

HillBillE

03-11-2011, 21:37

hey "hillbillie"
i cary one of these with me on the trail...
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-ball-joint-u-joint-c-frame-press-service-kit-38335.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_569.jpg
works great and you can change a u-joint in less than five minutes.

actually the only part of the kit you need is the "c" clamp part, and a 7/8 wrench.

I just bought one of those! Used it to do the ball joints on the XJ (Note: there is an actual 4WD ball joint kit, it works much better on 4WD rigs! :p)

I did it both ways, to see which was faster. The hammer won! Plus, I already carry the hammer, and my rig is heavy enough!!

I agree with Hobbyshop, using a press, especially a bigger hydraulic one, can bend or break the ears of the shaft.

I actually cracked one while using my 12T hydraulic press on a stubborn U-joint. Using a hammer sends vibrations through the metal, that help loosen things up. (much like whacking a knuckle to make the TRE drop out)

There's many ways to skin the cat, just figured I'd share mine! :beer:

Cole

09-01-2011, 21:13

That's a good thread. rocking.