sholzee
Active Member
- Joined
- September 14, 1999
- Messages
- 86
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Buffalo N.Y.
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 92 EB 4dr 4x4
Just finished replacing all the universals on the front axles. Sounds easy but they were Universal joints with 9 years of Northeast rust on them. You could not see them seam between the cap and yoke, and barely make out the c clip on the cap, if it were there, kinda rust. I have 20 years experience working on vehicles and the only shops they see are for inspections,Tires, and Exhaust systems.
The ujoint clamp would not press the joint out of the stub axle on the pass side, and it was soaked with penetrating oil for 3 days prior. So out with the torch to heat up the yoke some to expand it so I can press the cap out. All of a sudden POW!! no more cap, the shaft was horizontal, I did not here it hit anything, and never did find it. There must have been some air that expanded, or the cap was rusted just right that the expanding gases did not blow out through the rubber grease seal. I am glad I was on the side only half way under the truck and not in the line of fire. I will make sure always to leave on the retaining clip if I need to heat a yoke again.
Many thanks to Goober for the bearing nut lock pin, my wife is enjoying her truck again. Next project radius arm bushings, after all the front axle stuff I think I will leave the bracket in place and remove the front spring and do it that way. What bushings should I get and from where.
The ujoint clamp would not press the joint out of the stub axle on the pass side, and it was soaked with penetrating oil for 3 days prior. So out with the torch to heat up the yoke some to expand it so I can press the cap out. All of a sudden POW!! no more cap, the shaft was horizontal, I did not here it hit anything, and never did find it. There must have been some air that expanded, or the cap was rusted just right that the expanding gases did not blow out through the rubber grease seal. I am glad I was on the side only half way under the truck and not in the line of fire. I will make sure always to leave on the retaining clip if I need to heat a yoke again.
Many thanks to Goober for the bearing nut lock pin, my wife is enjoying her truck again. Next project radius arm bushings, after all the front axle stuff I think I will leave the bracket in place and remove the front spring and do it that way. What bushings should I get and from where.
