Mew U-jpont is stiff

Andy D · 07-10-2012, 05:53 AM

I installed a new Spicer 5-153X u-joint last night. After I put the locks in the joint is very stiff but flexes smoothly .So the needles are OK, but the caps are binding on the ends of the cross. As soon as I took the locks off, the, flex was much easier. Is the tightness normal? Or should I try again? TIA

**Mark_88** · 07-10-2012, 06:15 AM

My first attempt at installing a U-joint on my Ranger went pretty good...until the drive shaft fell out one night...

Only thing I forgot to do properly was clean the retainer ring slot before putting in the retainers...they didn't seat right and that allowed it to pop out eventually...I think stiff is OK as long as it moves...and is greased properly...

Andy D · 07-10-2012, 06:39 PM

Yah, Mark, I have done a few U-joints in my day, this was my first come backer. I basically pounded the snot out of it to get the original apart because it spit the bearings out' The locks came out in crumbs. It didn't like sitting under a tree for a year. Which is where it was when I bought it. So I paid about 12 $ for a Dura last U-joint from Auto Zone back in March. I blame myself for this incident, I tried to get the crud oud out of the grooves. When I took the remaining lock out of it, I used a small screwdriver And I got out a lot more rust. I bought 2 Spicer 5-153 X greaseble U-joints for 27 $ from Crown Automotive. The center bearing is gonna get replaced next. I wire wheeled the crud off the 15/16 nut Then I punched a set of reference marks on the yoke and the shaft before I broke the nut loose. My 1/2'' breaker bar worked great. Then I just tapped the bearing off with a claw hammer.

Brownie Mobile · 07-10-2012, 06:48 PM

Stiff is ok but i didnt put mine in stiff just tap on the u joints back and forth without the retaining rings in and eventually they will be butta. So just work them back and forth use a socket put it on one cap tap it till it goes all the way the other way then tap it from the other way and eventually it will loosen up.

**brinker88** · 07-10-2012, 07:13 PM

Hit the side of the yoke with your hammer. It loosens them up tremendously.

v-8power · 07-10-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinker88

Hit the side of the yoke with your hammer. It loosens them up tremendously.

This is the way to do it. I wouldn't hit the caps.

Andy D · 07-10-2012, 09:19 PM

Thanks for all the info. I was a carpenter for 15 yrs . A hammer is the first tool I reach for . I'll try tapping the yokes

07-10-2012, 05:53 AM	#1
Andy D Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Marshfield MA Year: 94 Make: Ranger Model: 4x4 Engine: 4.0 OHV Used For: mini pick up stuff Posts: 660 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	Mew U-jpont is stiff I installed a new Spicer 5-153X u-joint last night. After I put the locks in the joint is very stiff but flexes smoothly .So the needles are OK, but the caps are binding on the ends of the cross. As soon as I took the locks off, the, flex was much easier. Is the tightness normal? Or should I try again? TIA Last edited by Andy D; 07-10-2012 at 06:42 PM.
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07-10-2012, 06:15 AM	#2
Mark_88 Einstein I'm NOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Uxbridge, Ontario Year: 1988 Make: Ford Model: Multi-year Ranger Engine: 2.3 Carbureted Class: 2wd Used For: Space travel Posts: 13,431 Rep Power: 76 iTrader: (0)	My first attempt at installing a U-joint on my Ranger went pretty good...until the drive shaft fell out one night... Only thing I forgot to do properly was clean the retainer ring slot before putting in the retainers...they didn't seat right and that allowed it to pop out eventually...I think stiff is OK as long as it moves...and is greased properly... __________________ Rome and my Ranger were not built in a day...
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07-10-2012, 06:39 PM	#3
Andy D Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Marshfield MA Year: 94 Make: Ranger Model: 4x4 Engine: 4.0 OHV Used For: mini pick up stuff Posts: 660 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	Yah, Mark, I have done a few U-joints in my day, this was my first come backer. I basically pounded the snot out of it to get the original apart because it spit the bearings out' The locks came out in crumbs. It didn't like sitting under a tree for a year. Which is where it was when I bought it. So I paid about 12 $ for a Dura last U-joint from Auto Zone back in March. I blame myself for this incident, I tried to get the crud oud out of the grooves. When I took the remaining lock out of it, I used a small screwdriver And I got out a lot more rust. I bought 2 Spicer 5-153 X greaseble U-joints for 27 $ from Crown Automotive. The center bearing is gonna get replaced next. I wire wheeled the crud off the 15/16 nut Then I punched a set of reference marks on the yoke and the shaft before I broke the nut loose. My 1/2'' breaker bar worked great. Then I just tapped the bearing off with a claw hammer.
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07-10-2012, 07:13 PM	#5
brinker88 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Williamsport, Pa Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: Weekend Warrior Posts: 3,264 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (8)	Hit the side of the yoke with your hammer. It loosens them up tremendously. __________________ Obsession is a word justifying your insanity. We ARE the 4x4%. Build Thread
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07-10-2012, 09:19 PM	#7
Andy D Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Marshfield MA Year: 94 Make: Ranger Model: 4x4 Engine: 4.0 OHV Used For: mini pick up stuff Posts: 660 Rep Power: 6 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the info. I was a carpenter for 15 yrs . A hammer is the first tool I reach for . I'll try tapping the yokes
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