Replacing a drive shaft U joint

Summary

This tutorial walks through the process of replacing a U-joint, focusing on techniques like heating, cleaning, and pressing the new joint. It explains how to safely remove old parts, clean the yoke and cups, and install a new U-joint using a vice. The video highlights the importance of careful handling to avoid damaging needle bearings and emphasizes the value of proper lubrication to ensure the longevity of the new joint. With step-by-step guidance, it provides useful tips for achieving a smooth, professional installation without the need for expensive tools.

Takeaways

• 😀 Heat the flanges to loosen the old U-joint cups for easy removal.
• 😀 Use a torch to heat the surface of the flanges, but avoid overheating to prevent damage.
• 😀 Make sure to carefully remove the old U-joint without damaging the surrounding parts.
• 😀 Clean the cups using a sandblaster to remove rust and debris before installing the new U-joint.
• 😀 Use a rat tail file to smooth out any imperfections in the cups to ensure a proper fit.
• 😀 The new U-joint comes with replaceable cups and retaining clips, which help secure the joint in place.
• 😀 When pressing the cups into place, use a vice and be gentle to avoid damaging the parts.
• 😀 Be careful to align the needle bearings properly before inserting the U-joint shaft.
• 😀 Install the retaining clips securely to prevent the needle bearings from falling out during use.
• 😀 Always clamp the yolk, not the drive shaft tube, in the vice to avoid crushing the tube.
• 😀 Grease the U-joint thoroughly using a grease gun to ensure it operates smoothly and is properly lubricated.

Q & A

Why is it important to heat the surfaces of the U-joint and its cups?

Heating the surfaces helps to expand the outside cup, making it easier to remove the old U-joint and replace it without damaging the parts.

What is the benefit of using a U-joint with a grease fitting?

A U-joint with a grease fitting ensures proper lubrication, which helps prevent rust and wear of the needle bearings over time, especially in vehicles exposed to water intrusion.

What happens if the U-joint needle bearings are not properly lubricated?

Lack of lubrication can cause rusting and wear of the needle bearings, which leads to slop in the joint, making it less functional and eventually requiring replacement.

What is the purpose of the soda blasting process in the script?

Soda blasting is used to clean the cups and other components by removing rust and debris, ensuring that the new U-joint parts fit properly.

What is the role of the retaining clip in the U-joint installation?

The retaining clip secures the U-joint cup in place, preventing it from moving or falling out after the installation and ensuring the joint functions properly.

Why is it important to avoid tapping the U-joint with a hammer during installation?

Tapping the U-joint with a hammer risks dislodging or damaging the needle bearings inside the cup, which could lead to the need for a full replacement of the U-joint.

What is the potential risk of clamping the vice incorrectly on the driveline tube?

Clamping on the driveline tube, which is hollow and not very strong, could distort it, causing issues like vibration when the driveline is reinstalled in the vehicle.

What does the speaker mean by 'finessing' the U-joint installation process?

Finessing refers to carefully aligning the needle bearings and ensuring the U-joint slides in correctly without damaging or misaligning any parts during installation.

How can you confirm that the U-joint is properly installed and has no play?

Once the U-joint is installed and the retaining clips are in place, you should check for any movement or slop in the joint. If it’s smooth and tight with no play, it's properly installed.

What is the final step after installing the U-joint?

The final step is to grease the U-joint with a grease gun, ensuring that the joint is properly lubricated and that grease oozes out of the pockets to confirm full lubrication.