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Drive-shaft U-joint Install

H

hivewax

Member
while i was taking out the drive-shaft, one u-joint cap came off and all the little pins inside fell out. i'm guessing this is not fixable... so, did any of you change out the u-joints by yourself and what tools did you use? last time, i tried and failed, then took it to a machine shop.
 
I've seen people put the pins back in and be ok. I wouldn't. I'd just buy new u-joints. All you need is a wrench.
 
"hivewax" said:
while i was taking out the drive-shaft, one u-joint cap came off and all the little pins inside fell out. i'm guessing this is not fixable... so, did any of you change out the u-joints by yourself and what tools did you use? last time, i tried and failed, then took it to a machine shop.
Click to expand...

I tried to put the pins back in once using grease to hold them in place...I failed miserably. I have a press that I use for that stuff, had to do all the U joints in the F250, paid for the press right there.
 
The pins are really easy to replace. The main thing is being sure you have them all and one is not hiding under the work bench. I have replaced them a few times. They should not have come out if the joint was greased......
 
If you don't want to fool with pressing the joint out of the shaft you can always pick up a new joint and just rob the caps off if it.

Make sure the race on the old joint is not all knurled up though.

Not the recommended fix by any means but It will get you back on the road until you want to tackle the whole job.
 
How would a wrench work? Sounds looney!!

Where locally can I get a press? Harbor Freight or Northern Tools??
 
I just use a vice and a couple sockets to press them out and in. One socket for the cup to slide into and one that will fit to press the cup out.
 
"AzPete" said:
I just use a vice and a couple sockets to press them out and in. One socket for the cup to slide into and one that will fit to press the cup out.
Click to expand...

Done it that way too. You can get them at both places you mentioned.
 
"AzPete" said:
I just use a vice and a couple sockets to press them out and in. One socket for the cup to slide into and one that will fit to press the cup out.
Click to expand...
Ditto.
 
i'll have replace the u-joint. the yoke is 1330 and the caps are too large. got this info from Cobra Auto:

A. U-Joint Kit, 1310 to 1330 Conversion, all caps 1-1/16", 1 spread 3-5/8" & 1 spread 3-1/4".
B. U-Joint Kit, 1310 series, 3-1/4" spread X 1-1/16" cap. Spicer SDO solid racing type. This is the size of the 1310 U-joints
C. U-Joint Kit, 1330 series, 3-5/8" spread X 1-1/16" cap. Spicer SDO solid racing type. This is the size of the 1330 U-joints
D. U-Joint Kit, 1350 series, 3-5/8" spread X 1-3/16" cap. Spicer SDO solid racing type. This is the size of the 1350 U-joints

1. i was using Precision u-joint w/grease fittings. are solid race type u-joints better for the street?
2. does that mean the 8" rear had a 1350 series yoke?
 
I'm not sure what you have going on.....

Which series u-joint is pictured?

Are you saying that the "yoke"..... the pinion yoke is a 1330?

If the pinion yoke pictured is a 1330.... and you're sure of this...... then the u-joint pictured looks to me like a 1350 series u-joint. That's why it's too big.

U-joints

1310 = light duty, small size, typically found on 8" rearends
1330 = medium duty, medium size, typically found on 9" Trac-Lok equipped cars
1350 = heavy duty, large size, typically found on 3/4 ton and up large sized trucks, etc.


The easiest way to slove your dilemma is to obtain the measurements for the cup sizes that you'll need and then head down to your local auto parts store. They'll usually have in stock the size you need.
 
Dave, thanks. What about soild type versus greasible u-joints? Soild type is stronger, but is it durable for the daily driver car.
 
well, i had a 1310 to 1350 conversion on the drive-shaft. i went to NAPA to find a 1310 (1" cap) to 1330 (1-1/16" cap, 3-5/8" width) conversion with inner clips. they only had one with outer rings. then, i called Cobra Auto... they said i would have to modify the drive-shaft end and put a 1330 series end.

what's your input? how much $$ to modify the drive-shaft?
 
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