C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

[Mike Cobine]

After fighting the u-joints for a couple of days, I found a way to find what was wrong and fix it.

Three joints went in with no problem. The fourth went in the halfshaft with no problem but wouldn't work in the flange.

I took it out and reinstalled about 5 times but each time it was so tight, it would barely turn and when it did turn, it was notchy. Even removing the clips and loosening the caps did not let it turn freely.

The flange was bolted to the spindle flange during installation so the flange wouldn't bend, but I suspected it had been bent before.

Finally, I took a Craftsman 7/8 deepwell 1/2 drive socket and slid in one end and through to the other. I discovered that the holes were cocked so that they were at least an 1/8 inch off. But what I didn't expect was that they were not bent inward, like you expect, but outward and to the side.

After pulling, bending, pressing, and hammering, the holes finally lined up and the joint went in.

But without using the socket to see where the holes lined up, I'd still be out there trying to get that one in.

The 7/8 worked well because it was very snug. It had to be tapped in and out. As such, it showed burrs in the edges that I didn't see and was tight enough to indicate how far off center was on the other end.

Your socket size may vary.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Good tip Mike....interesting there was actually lateral twist as well as in/out bending. Now you can go to Sears and get a new socket for free if it is all buggered up on the chrome Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Good tip Mike....interesting there was actually lateral twist as well as in/out bending. Now you can go to Sears and get a new socket for free if it is all buggered up on the chrome Craig

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

I was very surprised to see the lateral twist. This flange is fairly heavy in that area and even the in/out bending required more than the older flanges (which bent like spaghetti). I'm not sure if it is an original '79 or a service replacement as it was in the car not connected to the halfshaft when I got it, although very greasy from use.

I thought I might have a hassle with returning the socket, as it was a very snug fit. I got it in a bind and it wouldn't come back out. So I used the 1/2" drive extension as a punch, but the outer diameter of the female end was about .001 larger than the opening. So it didn't go in the socket when I started to tap the socket out, but quickly buried the extension inside the socket in a press fit that I couldn't remove.

Now that would have been embarrassing to take to Sears. "Uh, there seems to be a problem with this socket."

Of course, they still owe me. I bought a 3/8 socket set years ago while on the road, took it to the apartment to change the plugs, and the ratchet stripped on the first plug. I took it back, and the brand new 18 year old employee wouldn't replace it, only offered a rebuild kit.

On a ratchet that was less than 4 hours old.

This car would have made for a good video - How NOT to Work on Your Corvette.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

I was very surprised to see the lateral twist. This flange is fairly heavy in that area and even the in/out bending required more than the older flanges (which bent like spaghetti). I'm not sure if it is an original '79 or a service replacement as it was in the car not connected to the halfshaft when I got it, although very greasy from use.

I thought I might have a hassle with returning the socket, as it was a very snug fit. I got it in a bind and it wouldn't come back out. So I used the 1/2" drive extension as a punch, but the outer diameter of the female end was about .001 larger than the opening. So it didn't go in the socket when I started to tap the socket out, but quickly buried the extension inside the socket in a press fit that I couldn't remove.

Now that would have been embarrassing to take to Sears. "Uh, there seems to be a problem with this socket."

Of course, they still owe me. I bought a 3/8 socket set years ago while on the road, took it to the apartment to change the plugs, and the ratchet stripped on the first plug. I took it back, and the brand new 18 year old employee wouldn't replace it, only offered a rebuild kit.

On a ratchet that was less than 4 hours old.

This car would have made for a good video - How NOT to Work on Your Corvette.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

They will take anything back....I have gone in with bent screwdrivers from improper use as prying tools, or pounding on the handle like a chisel, you name it. They usually just laugh and cheerfully exchange it. Of course, I normally done treat my tools this way, but once it a while you run into that special case where you purposefully sacrifice something to get a task done, then decide if you want to "fess up" and look like a fool and return it... Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

They will take anything back....I have gone in with bent screwdrivers from improper use as prying tools, or pounding on the handle like a chisel, you name it. They usually just laugh and cheerfully exchange it. Of course, I normally done treat my tools this way, but once it a while you run into that special case where you purposefully sacrifice something to get a task done, then decide if you want to "fess up" and look like a fool and return it... Craig

[Chuck S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

I once took back a bad tire pressure gauge...it said "Craftsman" right there on the pocket clip. The old buzzard in charge wouldn't replace it. Oh well, it was only a couple of bucks...he's probably fertilizing grass now, or someone's changing his diapers.

It depends on the individual clerk, and the store policy. I took back a set of sale-boxed needlenosed pliers with one jaw fractured clean through at the pivot...the gal grabbed a brand new set of heavy duty needlenosed pliers and handed them to me with a smile.

Good tip, Mike. My half shaft U-joints are just like you described...the second snap ring can't be installed on more than one of them (no, didn't use the plate, before this board). Maybe this will inspire me to re-examine the problem.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

I once took back a bad tire pressure gauge...it said "Craftsman" right there on the pocket clip. The old buzzard in charge wouldn't replace it. Oh well, it was only a couple of bucks...he's probably fertilizing grass now, or someone's changing his diapers.

It depends on the individual clerk, and the store policy. I took back a set of sale-boxed needlenosed pliers with one jaw fractured clean through at the pivot...the gal grabbed a brand new set of heavy duty needlenosed pliers and handed them to me with a smile.

Good tip, Mike. My half shaft U-joints are just like you described...the second snap ring can't be installed on more than one of them (no, didn't use the plate, before this board). Maybe this will inspire me to re-examine the problem.

[John H.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Here's my 2 cents worth regarding SEARS.
If I have more than ONE type of something to choose from, I spend forever
trying out each type of product. Some time ago I was in Sears trying to buy
a small push lawnmower. They had several to choose from; you know what happened..... I was up and down the aisle with each one like it was the
Indy 500 timetrails. My wife across the store in the appliance section
taking this all in.
Finally after quite some time she hollared out to me...
"John, you just purchased the one you are now pushing", she had told the
cashier to ring it up while I was taking another one for a demo.
Aren't wives smart sometimes? It seems like she is right more times than not.
Big John

[John H.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Here's my 2 cents worth regarding SEARS.
If I have more than ONE type of something to choose from, I spend forever
trying out each type of product. Some time ago I was in Sears trying to buy
a small push lawnmower. They had several to choose from; you know what happened..... I was up and down the aisle with each one like it was the
Indy 500 timetrails. My wife across the store in the appliance section
taking this all in.
Finally after quite some time she hollared out to me...
"John, you just purchased the one you are now pushing", she had told the
cashier to ring it up while I was taking another one for a demo.
Aren't wives smart sometimes? It seems like she is right more times than not.
Big John

[John H.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Here's my 2 cents worth regarding SEARS.
If I have more than ONE type of something to choose from, I spend forever
trying out each type of product. Some time ago I was in Sears trying to buy
a small push lawnmower. They had several to choose from; you know what happened..... I was up and down the aisle with each one like it was the
Indy 500 timetrails. My wife across the store in the appliance section
taking this all in.
Finally after quite some time she hollared out to me...
"John, you just purchased the one you are now pushing", she had told the
cashier to ring it up while I was taking another one for a demo.
Aren't wives smart sometimes? It seems like she is right more times than not.
Big John...

[John H.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Here's my 2 cents worth regarding SEARS.
If I have more than ONE type of something to choose from, I spend forever
trying out each type of product. Some time ago I was in Sears trying to buy
a small push lawnmower. They had several to choose from; you know what happened..... I was up and down the aisle with each one like it was the
Indy 500 timetrails. My wife across the store in the appliance section
taking this all in.
Finally after quite some time she hollared out to me...
"John, you just purchased the one you are now pushing", she had told the
cashier to ring it up while I was taking another one for a demo.
Aren't wives smart sometimes? It seems like she is right more times than not.
Big John...

[Chuck S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Yeah, right, John...I'm going to let my wife pick my tools for me?!...I don't think so. ("No, honey...Not that expensive 20 piece Craftsman screwdriver set on sale...I think you should get these with the flourescent color-coded handles...You can tell the size without even looking, and they're pretty."

My wife has a drawer in the kitchen with several "wimmen's tools" for when she feels she has to hammer on something. She selected some of them at the local Target...primarily low quality imported tools, with some in various states of repair ("Wow, what happened to THAT?". Were these yer daddy's pliers, or did you steal these from a historical dig? Looks like he used them for catfish skinning!)

Yer just like me, John...hen-pecked and too old to change.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C2 / C3 Halfshaft U-Joint Install

Yeah, right, John...I'm going to let my wife pick my tools for me?!...I don't think so. ("No, honey...Not that expensive 20 piece Craftsman screwdriver set on sale...I think you should get these with the flourescent color-coded handles...You can tell the size without even looking, and they're pretty."

My wife has a drawer in the kitchen with several "wimmen's tools" for when she feels she has to hammer on something. She selected some of them at the local Target...primarily low quality imported tools, with some in various states of repair ("Wow, what happened to THAT?". Were these yer daddy's pliers, or did you steal these from a historical dig? Looks like he used them for catfish skinning!)

Yer just like me, John...hen-pecked and too old to change.