Universal Joint R&R
 

To read the original thread and discussion on this topic go here- LINK


UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (1 OF 6)

In my Project thread, I posted a blurb on the work I did on my driveshaft. A few people have asked me for more detail than I provided in that thread. In this thread, I explain my step-by-step approach for removing and installing a universal joint (UJ) in a yoke using common tools and a hydraulic press. I assume that the driveshaft has already been removed. The driveshaft will need to be securely supported but I do not discuss that here.

There are three basic parts to deal with when removing and installing a UJ.
1. Lock rings: retain the UJ assembly in the yoke.
2. Trunnion: The X-shaped piece that provides the main structure. The cylindrical machined surfaces of the trunnion act as in inner race for the needle bearings and the flat ends act as thrust bearing surfaces.
3. Bearings: Also called end caps or bearing caps. They are either pressed into a yoke and retained by lock rings or secured on a flange by U-bolts. They act as outer bearing races for the needle bearings and thrust bearing surfaces for the end faces of the trunnion.

In this narrative, opposite ends of an assembled UJ are pressed into a yoke and held in place by lock rings. To illustrate, I used a yoke assembly and UJ from a half shaft of a 60-something independent rear suspension Corvette that appeared not to have been touched since it left the factory.

First, clean off all the grease and dirt using whatever solvent or soap you prefer (the cleaner, the better).

Next, remove the lock rings. A pair of needle nose pliers works OK but they may be difficult to keep a good grip on the lock ring.
Attachment 872898


If there are any burrs or deformations on the perimeter of the yoke bore outside the bearings, now is a good time to remove them so they won’t interfere with the bearing as it is pressed out. An appropriate size grinding wheel installed on a Dremel tool works well.
Attachment 872899


I first try to press out the bearings with a large C-clamp and a socket. For my truck, a 6" C-clamp is a good size to use.
Attachment 872900


To determine the socket size to use you need to know what UJ you are dealing with. I have a C20 so I’m dealing with two sizes of UJ. The UJs at the transmission and carrier bearing are both Series 1310. The UJ at the differential is a larger Series 1350. The bearing OD of a Series 1310 is 1.062 inches so I use a 1 1/8" socket. The bearing OD of a Series 1350 is 1.188 inches so I use a 1 ¼" socket. In this narrative I am working with a Series 1350.
Attachment 872901


This site has some good basic UJ info.
http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/...D%20Guide.html

Re: Universal Joint R&R
 

UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (2 OF 6)

Snug up the clamp and socket on the UJ and slowly apply force to one bearing by pressing with the clamp screw.
Attachment 872902Attachment 872903


If you are lucky, the clamp/socket combo will work as long as the bearing/yoke contact surfaces are not too corroded (which usually isn’t the case) or the UJ is small. If the clamp begins to distort, this method won’t work. Back off and try the next step. Applying heat and a good penetrating fluid may help.

The next thing I try is a stout bench vise instead of a C-clamp, but that often isn’t enough, either. I’ve broken at least one vise doing this, so don’t force things. In the picture below, I’ve placed two thick washers against one bearing and then screwed down the vice in an attempt to break the bearings loose from their bores. It did not work.
Attachment 872904


If the bearings still haven’t budged, you can take the driveshaft to a shop and have them pressed out. I’ve done this a few times in the past. Better still, if you have your own press, do it yourself. A press is the best tool to use, especially for UJs that haven’t been touched for decades. I recently purchased a press of my own and after I used it a few times, I wondered why I hadn’t got one years ago. If you plan on doing most of the work on your truck yourself, a press is indispensable.

Place the UJ in the press with two thick washers on the upper bearing as you did in the vice and then press. They will break free at last !
Attachment 872905


Then, place a suitably sized socket against the upper bearing and the larger one below. The lower bearing should slide into the socket as it emerges. Press as far as the trunnion allows, but once again, don’t force anything.
Attachment 872906

Re: Universal Joint R&R
 

UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (3 OF 6)

The UJ should look like this now.
Attachment 872907


Then, with a large pair of pliers, twist the exposed bearing and work it out of the bore. Air may be trapped inside the bearing, slightly resisting the extraction. Expect needle bearings to fall out.
Attachment 872908


Then, place the assembly in the press again, this time pressing against the trunnion. Press it as far as it will go.
Attachment 872909 Attachment 872910


Now you can remove the trunnion. Remove the remaining bearing with your pliers as before.
Attachment 872911

Re: Universal Joint R&R
 

UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (4 OF 6)

Now that it's apart, you should have something that looks like this.
Attachment 872912


Here is what the yoke bores looked like just after removal of the UJ. With all that crud jammed in there, you can see why the bearings didn’t break free with the clamp or vise, even with heat and penetrant.
Attachment 872913


Clean the interior surfaces of the yoke thoroughly. For the bore, I use Scothbrite pads or abrasive paper 220 grit or smoother. You don’t want to use anything that will severely score the bore. A wire brush attachment on a Dremel gets inside the lock ring annulus. Use what you have, just get it clean and don't abuse it.
Attachment 872914 Attachment 872915


Inspect the interior surfaces for damage and remove any burrs, scratches, deformations, or other impediments to insertion of the new bearings and lock rings. A Dremel tool with suitable grinding attachments works well. Files do, too. The bore should feel smooth to the touch. Do the same for the lock ring annulus and test with a new lock ring. Everything should be clean and smooth but don’t go crazy and remove a lot of material. You'll end up with loose, ill-fitting bearings. Now you should have something that looks like this.
Attachment 872916

Re: Universal Joint R&R
 

UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (5 OF 6)

Carefully remove one bearing from your new UJ and partially press it into the yoke. You can use the clamp/socket combo now since everything is clean and smooth. Be careful not to displace or lose needle bearings. Pay attention to the alignment of the bearing in the bore, you don’t want to force in a cocked bearing. You should be able to feel the alignment by the position of the clamp and the insertion resistance of the bearing. I didn’t have a new UJ available for this demonstration, so I cleaned up the old one and used it for the reinstall pics.
Attachment 872917


Carefully insert the new trunnion into the bearing. It is very easy to displace needle bearings while doing this. Spongy resistance may be felt due to trapped air.
Attachment 872918


Press the bearing and trunnion so that the bearing cap is slightly past the lock ring annulus. Install a new lock ring.
Attachment 872919 Attachment 872920


The lock ring should look like this when fully engaged in the annulus.
Attachment 872921

Re: Universal Joint R&R
 

UNIVERSAL JOINT R&R (6 OF 6)

Press against the exposed trunnion face until the bearing is flush with the lock ring you just installed. Make sure the clamp face is super clean so you don’t introduce debris. Don’t force it. If the lock ring tangs are no longer flat against the bearing, you’ve gone to far.
Attachment 872922Attachment 872923


Press the second bearing in so that it is just shy of the end of the trunnion. Then guide the trunnion into the bearing. The trunnion should not fall out of the opposite bearing. This step is tricky for the novice and requires a bit of "feel". Needle bearings are easily displaced. If it isn’t going well, walk away and do something else for a while.
Attachment 872924


Carefully press in the bearing so the lock ring will engage, but no farther. Install the lock ring.

Check to see that the assembly rotates freely by rocking the UJ back and forth. You should not feel any binding. If the bearings are pressed in too tightly, they can bind against the ends of the trunnions and feel stiff. It is possible that under load, the bearings will self-adjust in their bores, but I prefer to know that they were rotating freely before I reinstall the drive shaft.

That’s it. The procedure is fairly simple. I seldom do this work, so I usually make a lot of mistakes and end up removing and installing the UJ a few times until everything looks and feels right. If you keep everything immaculately clean and haven’t forced anything, removing and installing a few times shouldn’t cause any problems.

The key is to think about what you are doing, go slowly, and don’t lose patience. It looks like a simple job, but there are numerous pitfalls along the way. I hope this helps other once-in-a-while UJ installers like me.

Please feel free to critique my procedure. Anything that helps the next guy is fine with me.