Universal Joints

[Yerfdog79]

I was wondering, I got new u-joints for my 2000 Limited. Ordered the same ones for shaft to transfer case and shaft to rear, as I thought I saw online. Got the one in at the transfer case, no problem. The one at the rear however gave me a fit. The joint installed on the drive shaft ok but wouldn't install ont the other half. I can get one clip in but the other clip slot is covered. I even clamped down on the joint and still nothing. Could I have read it wrong and need a different one for the rear? Thanks in advance.

 

[Turdle]

If the clip will "almost fit" one of 2 things could be wrong

One of the bearing pins may have slipped under the cross end while the cap was off, or, the yoke needs to be spread a bit.It can deform while pressing the old one out.
Sometimes all it takes is a wack with a big hammer to spread it back out.

 

[Yerfdog79]

Oh my god, thank you. I was wondering if I screwed the yoke up a little bit. I will try that in the morning. Thanks

 

[yavapaires]

Oh my god, thank you. I was wondering if I screwed the yoke up a little bit. I will try that in the morning. Thanks

You better pull the cap and look for a needle bearing that may have slipped out of the cap and gotten lodged between the cross and bottom of the cap. Either side will do this.
I could explain how I know, but you can use your imagination. I did u-joints just last week.

 

[drbenz]

Yup and if you want me to I will tell you what happens to the needle bearing when one gets sideways and you wack on it trying to make it go together.

 

[Yerfdog79]

Needle bearings are ok. That was the first thing my buddy had me check. I forgot to mention the i took the u-joint from the tranfer case end and move it to the rear end and have the same issue with the rear yoke.

 

[yavapaires]

Sounds like the yoke is the problem then. I have NEVER tweaked the yoke, they are pretty damn strong. How big a hammer did you use? I have not seen this before myself in my 65 years. I have even used a 20 ton hydraulic jack to remove u-joints from big trucks without hurting the yoke or the driveline. If you have access to some calipers, do some comparative measuring to be sure the yoke and the u-joint are the correct size.

 

[Yerfdog79]

I tweaked the yoke somehow. I used the ball joint tool to press them out as i saw in a thread. I used the same clamp to spread it out, and to my surprise, it worked. U-joints successfully installed.

 

[yavapaires]

Glad you got it fixed. I just used a 6" c-clamp and a nut to press mine in after the fiasco with dropping a needle.

 

[Yerfdog79]

Funny you should say that. when i did the last joint, the one at the front dif, a bearing fell on me. thought i had the exact same problem as on the rear except the broken bearing came out the grease hole so i knew what i had done.