How Tp Repair A U Joint

Your rear-cycle drive vehicle uses a rotating driveshaft to transfer torque (rotational force) from the transmission to the rear axle. Since the driveshaft must also be able to move upwards and down as the vehicle travels over bumps in the road, a universal joint at each end is fitted to provide that flexibility.

Driveshafts rotate up to three times faster than the wheels much of time and every bit a upshot u-joints can eventually wear out. Typical symptoms of u-joints that need replacing include a clunking audio when shifting gears from reverse to drive, vibration at highway speeds, and a clicking racket when moving slowly in contrary.

This article volition comprehend the basic process used to inspect and replace a universal joint.

Part 1 of 5: Inspecting the u-joint

U-joints should be inspected whenever the vehicle is up on a lift to receive service such equally during an oil modify. Nearly u-joints are permanently greased and not able to be lubricated, although a few still have grease fittings. These are more than likely to be establish on older cars and trucks.

Step i: Grab ahold of the driveshaft and attempt to move it. There must exist no move, since any move indicates worn u-joints that must be replaced.

Footstep ii: Inspect the driveshaft. Expect closely for dents, impact harm, or anything stuck to it that could cause vibration from being out-of-balance.

Function 2 of 5: Removing the driveshaft

Materials Needed

• Drain pan
• Floor jack and jack stands
• Marker
• Mechanic'due south gloves
• Ratchets and sockets
• Safety glasses
• Screwdrivers
• Shop rags

• Wrench ready

• Tip: Snap-ring pliers can likewise be helpful on some applications. It depends on the u-joints used in your vehicle. The job tin still be achieved if they are not bachelor. Some vehicles use 12-point fasteners to attach the driveshaft and will crave a 12-signal socket or wrench.

Stride i: Jack up the vehicle. To remove the driveshaft, the rear of your vehicle will need to be jacked upwards with a floorjack and set deeply on to jackstands.

• Warning: Never work nether a vehicle beingness held up only by a jack. E'er use jack stands.

Step two: Mark the driveshaft. Use a felt tipped marker or whiteout to mark the driveshaft where it mates to the differential flange.

This will ensure that you can re-install it in its original position.

Step 3: Remove fasteners. In that location are usually 4 nuts or bolts at the rear where the driveshaft attaches to the differential.

Take these off next.

Step 4: Remove driveshaft. After removing these fasteners the driveshaft tin can be pushed frontwards, brought down then pulled out of the manual.

• Note: Be prepared with a pan and some rags for some manual oil to drip out.

Part three of five: Out-of-motorcar inspection

Step i: Check u-joints. With the driveshaft out, attempt to move each joint fully in each direction.

They must movement smoothly without binding in all directions. The bearing caps are a pressed-fit in the yoke and should not motility. Any roughness, binding, or habiliment felt during this cheque indicates replacement is needed since u-joints are not repairable.

Part iv of five: U-joint replacement

Materials Needed

• Extensions
• Hammer
• Pliers
• Ratchets and sockets
• Screwdrivers
• Shop rags
• U-joints
• Vise
• Wrench set

Step 1: Remove the old u-articulation. Retainers or snap-rings are used to secure the bearing cups and these must be removed next.

It requires more than force or rut existence applied. All the same, when you install the new replacement u-joints they will come with snap rings. Three mutual methods are used to remove the pressed-in, u-joint begetting cups from the driveshaft.

One method requires a u-joint removal tool which is rather expensive unless yous volition be using information technology repeatedly every bit a professional technician.

Another method requires using a big hammer and hitting things hard. While that can be fun, you can besides damage your driveshaft with a misplaced hammer swing.

The method using a vise is the 1 we will comprehend here. A vise is used to remove the u-joint by pressing the bearing cups out. A small-scale socket is positioned over one bearing cap (utilize a socket just slightly smaller than the bore of the bearing cap) and a larger socket is placed over the opposite bearing cap to receive the cap as information technology is pressed out of the yoke by tightening the vise.

Some needle bearings may autumn out as the caps come off, but don't worry about them since you will have new ones with your new u-joints.

• Note: Snap-band pliers will make this stride easier but it can also be achieved with a screwdriver, pliers, and a pocket-sized hammer.

• Note: If your driveshaft uses injected plastic to retain the bearing cups instead of snap rings, you lot may want to accept one of YourMechanic'south technicians supplant this for you.

Footstep 2: Install the new u-joint. Compare the new u-articulation to the sometime i to ensure that its exactly the aforementioned size.

If grease fittings are used on the new u-joint, position it where the fitting will exist accessible with a grease gun. Make clean the driveshaft yoke thoroughly and inspect it for burrs or any other damage. Remove caps from new u-articulation and put it in the yoke.

Use the vise and sockets to printing the new caps into identify in the yoke.

• Notation: Take care that the needle bearings don't fall out

Step iii: Install the snap-rings. Check for free movement and install the snap-rings.

If the new u-joint feels tight, a few taps with a hammer will usually costless information technology up.

• Alarm: Information technology's ok to hit the caps and the yoke, merely do not hit the driveshaft tube itself.
  

Part v of 5: Re-installing the driveshaft

Material Needed

• Shop rags

Pace ane: Wipe the ends of the driveshaft clean. Make certain the driveshaft is make clean past wiping it with a rag.

Step 2: Reinstall it into manual. Lift rear of driveshaft into position and align marks made during removal.

Install the hardware and tighten deeply.

Pace 3: Check the transmission fluid. After the vehicle is dorsum down on level basis, remember to check the transmission fluid if any was lost with the driveshaft removed.

Performing a repair on your vehicle can be satisfying work, especially when information technology's a chore where you lot can actually feel and hear the difference. Although rust, high mileage, and poorly maintained vehicles sometimes add to the claiming, replacing u-joints is certainly within reach when armed with a bit of knowledge and patience. If you tin apply some help with your transmission fluid, be sure to have 1 of YourMechanic'south technicians come to your home or place of business.

The statements expressed to a higher place are merely for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Source: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-worn-out-u-joint-by-dave-crowley

Posted by: parkerflized1970.blogspot.com

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