Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

[Joel T.]

Hi;

I'm trying to rebuild the half shafts from my 1978... Got them all apart and cleaned them up with no problem. I did not even attempt to remove the old universal joints from the flanges.. picked up two new flanges instead.

I'm trying to get the universal joints installed. I have a press so we are OK there. I can set the universal in the flange and try to press the two ends together.. It will go for a bit and then start to bend the flange in the center.. There must be some trick to this or better still to installing universal joints into half shafts all together..

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Joel

[Larry M.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

Hi;

I'm trying to rebuild the half shafts from my 1978... Got them all apart and cleaned them up with no problem. I did not even attempt to remove the old universal joints from the flanges.. picked up two new flanges instead.

I'm trying to get the universal joints installed. I have a press so we are OK there. I can set the universal in the flange and try to press the two ends together.. It will go for a bit and then start to bend the flange in the center.. There must be some trick to this or better still to installing universal joints into half shafts all together..

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Joel

Joel:

Here is what I use...it is very heavy duty and can be used in a press or a vise. http://www.volvette.com/tools/TL30A.html

They also have a cheaper model, that should work as well. Some folks make their own from steel plate, or use a (old) trailing arm mating flange for additional support/reinforcement. A few just take everything down to a truck/driveline shop to avoid these problems.

Make sure the U-joint needle bearings are well greased (I generally add new u-joint grease) and put a little antiseize or white grease in the flange joint bores to lube everything up good during assembly. Generally a large vise can be used for REASSEMBLY......with the press being available if needed.

Larry

[Joel T.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

Joel:

Here is what I use...it is very heavy duty and can be used in a press or a vise. http://www.volvette.com/tools/TL30A.html

They also have a cheaper model, that should work as well. Some folks make their own from steel plate, or use a (old) trailing arm mating flange for additional support/reinforcement. A few just take everything down to a truck/driveline shop to avoid these problems.

Make sure the U-joint needle bearings are well greased (I generally add new u-joint grease) and put a little antiseize or white grease in the flange joint bores to lube everything up good during assembly. Generally a large vise can be used for REASSEMBLY......with the press being available if needed.

Larry

Larry,

Thank you! I had no idea that these existed... Looks like I will be picking one up today! Maybe I can salvage the old flanges as well.

I appreciate the information.

Joel

[Wayne W.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

Just use the yokes that you have there already. Take one off the axle.

[Joel T.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

Just use the yokes that you have there already. Take one off the axle.

Wayne, do you mean just bolt them together back to back?

[Wayne W.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

----yep----

[Gary R.]

Re: Installing Universal Joints in Half Shaft Flanges

I do a fair amount of u-joints. I burn out everyone with an oxy/ace torch. I made up a plate like shown out of 3/4 steel, faced it so the flange sits flat, then after I clean and paint the shafts I'll clean the bore just slightly, not enough to remove anything more then the access paint and dirt. The caps should be snug in the yoke but not enough to require heavy pressure, I just lightly mist the caps with WD40 and tap them in flush to the yokes, flip them and do the other side, then seat them with the press to install the clips.

A lot has to do with the new joints you are using and if anyone ever worked on them before. I only use Spicer solids, I am more concerned about strength then original appearance with u-joints and feel the solid spicers are the best on the market today. If the joints were replaced in the past look for dings and dents in them under the yokes on the tubes, if a cap ever came out then you see gouging inside the yokes.

Here is a link to one of my old threads on u-joints maybe it will help you. Shows the plate I made along with the new joints and even the old USA ones that broke. Good luck, take your time and you should do fine.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76752