how to replace u joints on the front steering shafts

[85DANGERanger]

i noticed the snap rings are on the inside of the u joints. after removing the retaining clips, do you beat the cap inward or do they have to be beating from the inside out??

 

[85DANGERanger]

bump

 

[85DANGERanger]

i jus broke a vise in half and a 6'' c clamp trying to push the caps in. how the hell do you remove the u joints besides cutting them and even cutting them would be hard sinces theres not much room.

 

[NMB2]

the ones ive done are just like a u-joint on a d-shaft.... other than that my current shaft has a rag joint.

 

[AllanD]

Do you mean the joints on the steering intermediate shaft between the column and the box?

Do you have a source for a replacement joint?

The USUAL method is to toss the shaft in the trash as an assembly and replace the whole damned thing.

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[85DANGERanger]

what i mean by steering shaft is the front left axle. the "short" axle.

 

[NMB2]

shouldnt have snap rings on the outside, just c-clips on the inside, after those are pulled out, use a socket a a vice and push it.

 

[85DANGERanger]

and the caps should push far enough in to remove the u joint. i just dont see it happening? ive did u joints defore but these are kickin my ass. id be better of finding a way to cut them..

 

[AllanD]

what i mean by steering shaft is the front left axle. the "short" axle.

Then that would be the Driver's side axle shaft...
What the hell has steering got to do with it?

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[85DANGERanger]

i dont know, talk to autozone abou that, i went to get the new u joint and when i got home they looked too big and didnt use c clips. so i went back and told them, they got on there computer and the u joint that i need are listed under "steering shaft". the first ones they gave me were the front drive shaft u joints.

 

[Mosinman76254]

Sounds like Homer from my local A/Z... oh boy!

 

[85DANGERanger]

yeah, these big chain auto part store rely on there damn computers too much.. i went there a few day ago looking for a clutch line(goes from master cyl. to slave cyl.) they gave me a wierd look and started lookin through there computer. nothing came up so they emediately rule out that there was no such thing. i went to napa, they seemed puzzled but found one in there computer, then i just went to the stealership and i just had to tell the parts counter what i needed and what year. they had 4 of them in stock but at $87, i pasted and decided ill wait a week for the $53 napa one..