Ujoints

[Linda]

I think the ujoint by the diff is bad in my car. Any preference on brand or type, I saw some on the Parts interchange list.
Thanks
Linda

[Linda]

OReilley's has Precision 391. NAPA has a crossover from P391 for a GMB made in Japan unit. Both have zerks. $15 and 12.
So of the various tools to use, and those available to borrow from Autozone, what would work best?

Linda

[K1200 GT]

A u joint is a u joint but I like Napa stuff. Make sure that the "C" clip is inside or outside depending on what your car is using. The one that holds the u joint in place. If you have a vise and a socket bigger than the u joint cup you can change them at home. they do make a C clamp to change them with, but never used one. Just make sure the needle bearings dont fall down inside the cup while putting together. I pack them with more grease to prevent them from falling.


Rich

[Linda]

Hi Rich,
Thanks for responding. Since you didn't discourage me from trying this repair, i think I'll give it a try. I was told safety glasses are a good idea when removing the clips.

Linda

[dbrick]

I like the brands with the grease fitting on the end of the cap, easier to grease. If you feel you're applying excessive pressure with the C clamp to remove the old ones, tap with a hammer on the casting, it usually gets it to pop. Just be sure you get the little needle bearings arranged in place and stuck to the cap with grease so they don't shift as you re assemble. As you tighten the clamp to install the new joint, work the cross back and forth a little to keep it centered and not bind.
Blue Loctite on the bolts to the rear flange, and be sure to put either grease or gear oil on the front spline. any doubt about the rear transmission seal, change it now.

[Linda]

I found this earlier thread with videos. Explains the process nicely.
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... t=U+joints" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Linda

[K1200 GT]

Well Linda, I would never try to tell a woman not to work on there own car. I think it very sexy to see a woman under the hood of her car...... yes safety glass are a good thing. Some times its hard to find the end on the C clip. You will need a small screw driver or similar to "pick" up the end of the clip to get it started. I use a small hammer to tap the new ones back into place. They are square and need to be seated all they way down in their grove. Using a small punch or screw driver.

The new ones I remove the bearing caps, look inside to make sure the bearings have not fallen.They should be up right and no gaps or there is one missing. I put a little grease in the cups to make sure they stay put. I then take one of the cups and just get it started in the drive shaft. Put the yoke ( cross ) into the d/shaft. I push it into the cup that I got started...check the bearings are good and in place. Then start the other cup. I then center the cross in the two cup as im pushing them in, this helps to make sure the bearings stay in place. I have had these little bearings fall out of place and crush them inside the cap. So you have to start over. I ended up using one of the old bearing from the old cups. Do not use the air gun to put them back together, the vibration could cause the bearings to get out of place.
When your done the yoke maybe stiff to move back and forth but should not be rough or grinding.
Hope this helps some.
Rich

[Linda]

LOL, thanks Rich for the info.
I got a ujoint press tool on loan from Autozone. I'll post when I get to it

Linda

[Linda]

Well today I did the ujoints, with Peter's help, though I can't seem to get the C clips in one arm of the diff end ujoint. Tried compressing multiple times with the tool and smacking with a socket and still can't get enough of the C clip groove eXposed to work. The tranny end ujoint came out and went back together pretty easily.
I'll post a pic of the shredded ujoint that was in there. A chunk was missing and there were NO needle bearings. That was the vibration with acceleration. Peter has loaned me his spare driveline and it is so much better. Guess I'll have to take it to a machine shop to finish the job , as I can't see how to make it fit.
Check those ujoints!

Linda

[mraitch]

I was amazed at the condition of one of the branches of Linda's u-joint - as she said - one side was just trashed and on the other side the needles were worn flat.
Personally, I never would have thought to check them, but for $12 apiece . and hopefully not as much hassle as we went through yesterday, well worth replacing - especially since the ones Linda got have zerks.

[Gregs672000]

Thanks to all for posting. Will check mine out while the car is apart. I have one sitting in my tool box for, oh, 20 yrs I think?

[fj20spl311]

Linda,
If the amount you need to compress the u joint is about the size of a needle, one of them slipped out.

Take the joint apart and reassemble or replace.......it happens to all of us.

[K1200 GT]

I agree with jf20,
Linda, how did you even stay in the seat with all that vibration going on? Lucky you didnt waller out the transmission housing or mess up your "rear end".
I changed mine about 3 yrs ago cause I had a little clunk in reverse for about 2 ft. Took the drive shaft out and one of the U joint was hard to move using a hammer in a vise. Bearings were dry...but after 40 yrs.

Rich

[Linda]

Here's a couple pics, showing the damaged cap and ujoint arms affected.
Yes perhaps a needle slipped on the install. I'll have to get another and retry.
Rich, I was focused on tranny mount vibration and wasn't thinking ujoints. Now I know!
The pic shows 2 good caps also
Linda

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[Linda]

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I pressed out the ujoint cap that was giving me trouble and sure enough when I pulled the cap there were 2 needle bearings laying at the bottom so that's why it did not go on before. So I put a bigger glob of grease in there to hold them, correctly, and then pressed it back on easily. I used the same needle bearings as they seemed fine, and everything moves well. I'll have to see when it is on the car but not worried.
Thanks as always for the advice and help!
Once you get the hang of the tools and all it is not very hard to do. I thought that the videos were useful to see also.
If I can, you can

Linda