Hi all,

I have removed the driveshaft from the rear axle ( orginal 7.25). That was easy. How do I remove the U-Joint from the driveshaft now? I have sprayed it down with parts cleaner, and it does not appear to have any C-clips on the inside of the cups for the U-Joint, although there are grooves. I have a large pipe nipple on one side, and the biggest C-Clamp I own pushing it from the other. No movement.

So, what am I doing wrong? Are there C-Clips that I cannot see on this beast? More force? What gives?

Thanks,

Greg

Look more closely for the C-clips if they aren't there the caps will slide out pretty easily with a C-clamp.

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Hi all,

Okay, i cleaned it more thoroughly, and found the c-clips. The C-Clamp still cannot budge this thing. What next? Heat? Better C-Clamp? vise?

Thanks,

Greg

Hi all,

Okay, I thought I would bring out the heavy artillery. I used my grandfather's bench vise, ( I had inhereted it this spring), and use the pipe nipple with that to squeeze the U-joint. Nope, I broke the bench vise.

I might try to post pictures tomorrow. Right now, I feel like crawling under a rock, and hiding.

I really could use any advise that anybody has. I am shipping out to a country that begins with the letter "I" later this week, and I would like to get this done before I leave.


Thanks,

Greg

I used a hammer and socket. I had a helper hold the shaft for me over the vice, so the jaws of the vice were just wider then the cup, and then used the socket/hammer to tap the cup facing up.

Unless you forgot a clip or the cups are frozen in place, you should have your joints swapped within a couple of minutes using this method.

You broke bench vise?!?!? I have always had success using a 9 inch c-clamp and one socket (from a ratchet wrench set) smaller than the diameter of the u-joint and one socket larger than the diameter of the u-joint. Press the joint into the larger socket and it should slide out. Of course, it takes some effort, and I have bent the threaded screw-shaft on my c-clamp, but it works for me. Try taking it to your local machine shop if all else fails.

I 2nd'' hammer- socket style, make sure the clips are removed & hammer away, should come right out.

Are you sure the C clips are removed? I have had better luck with a hammer and socket insted of a vise. From experience, I cracked a U-joint cap using a vise and there was no needle laid over in the cap. Just keep in mind not to lose your cool while performing this exercise. If you bend the ear, it will cost you about $20 for another drive shaft and about $100 to get it shortened and balance if necessary. My last experience was not pleasant.

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70 Valiant Super Six

If the hammer method doesn't work and you don't want to take it to someone, it just may be less headache to make two cuts with a cutting wheel and grinder or hacksaw and pull the center of the joint out, should make tapping the cups out easier.

if you cannot get those c-clips out, try using two flatheads, find the opening if the C, and put yout blade on each edge, use one to hold, and one to pound out. I had the same prob, that was the only solution

I figured it out before I left home for Baghdad. I used Pierre's idea, and cut the universal joint below the cap on both sides, and popped each cap out with a C-Clamp. This way I only had to press one out at a time, not two.

Thank you, Rotozip with 90 degree cutting wheel. Best money I have spent on a tool, short of a cordless drill.

Greg