U Joint Replacement Questions?

[YourBuddy'sTruck]

Hey Everyone.

I've a '70 C20 with a 350 and a 350TH Auto tranny.
The rear end is a 14 Bolt, and I'm not sure if it's original or not.
That leads to my question about he U Joints.

First, would they be some form of Conversion U Joint?
What is the likeliness that I'll be able to change them in 2-4 hours time?
Is it easier/faster to pull the whole shaft and do it on a bench?
Any advance advice would be greatly appreciated!

I haven't changed U Joints since I was 16yrs old and it's been a bumpy 26 years since then. I recall it being easy, but worry about getting it done in time to head to work?
Here's a pic of what I have. And the one with the clip is "clunking" and on its way out.

[bigmac73]

unless you have a press or a big vise and a second pair of hands. I would remove the shaft and take it to a drive shaft shop and have them replaced , it is up to you, and i would start soaking everything with PB blaster as we speak

[Daman]

pull out the drive shaft, yank the clips, get a small socket and a large socket and press it out with your vise if you don't have a press.

Don't hammer anything.

Should be an hour job maximum

[YourBuddy'sTruck]

I actually have been shooting it with PB since I noticed the "clunk" earlier in the day.
That sound actually spurred my memory and after pulling rear axles and doing brake work, I got home and rolled it and watch the furthest back U move with alot of play.
There's my clunk.
I did manage to pull it out...the back half of the shaft only.
And I did manage to get the old one out...and the needles fell right out of one half as the bearing has been going for quite some time.
I measured and both sides of my U joint are the same size, so there's my answer.
Should be pretty easy to find and put back in before work.

Oh..and I do have a small arbor press and it was juuuuust big enough. ; )
Thanks for the tips.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by YourBuddy'sTruck

.....First, would they be some form of Conversion U Joint? What is the likeliness that I'll be able to change them in 2-4 hours time? Is it easier/faster to pull the whole shaft and do it on a bench?
.......

Every time someone tells me they're doing their u-joints I think about a story a friend tells of he and his brother spending about 2-3 hrs. trying to hammer one of the joints out of his truck. They used penetrating oil and then heat, it was 100 degrees outside and they finally gave up took it to a shop. For $15 the shop did it in 10 minutes.

So if it's old and some hammering with a socket or you don't have a press, I think I'd take it in to a shop.

[68gmsee]

Ha ha. Wife said supper was ready before I pushed submit so didn't see your last post. Glad you got it out.

It's still something others should be aware of. If they don't have the press and it just won't come out, a shop saves a lot of frustration.

[YourBuddy'sTruck]

Truth! Not a single shop here is skilled or that inexpensive?
I'm my own mechanic out of default/need?

I have not done this job in 20+ years, but it came back to me pretty darn quick!
I even done this in a driveway without pulling the shaft. It was a Mopar somethingorother?
Neighbor was a drag racer and I helped...aka held stuff up?
I'll post back how it went.
That's the trouble with most post here....they fix it, yet never detail the conclusion.
I read...read..read...research...read...? yet no answer?
Then I have to start a new thread?
Anyway....looks like I can do!

[68gmsee]

Yeah, I guess in my area they've probably gone up like everything else. The $15 charge to press out the old joint was about 10 yrs ago.

We still have some old time shops with older guys that can do just about anything but like you, if I can, I'll do it myself. Can't afford to take everything in and most of the time I can do a better job. And,, if I'm not familiar with the procedure I look at the book or search the net. Hence the last sentence in my signature.

[YourBuddy'sTruck]

Ha! Didn't see that until you pointed it out.
Where I live, there are more lawn services for hire than anywhere else in the world.
Tourist town full of bars and resturants.
Couple good shops, but outrageous rates.
It's nothing to see Ferrari & Lambrogini, etc on the weekends.
Cool actually! I alway wave at the Maseratti service guy as he drives by.
It's the crappiest old box truck you ever seen too?!?
One of these days, I hope to flag him down and tag along with him to look under those hoods!

[YourBuddy'sTruck]

NAPA had the U Joint. All wrapped up and plenty of time before heading off to work.
Amazing how easily they go back in with everything all cleaned up.
Cheers!

[Ironangel]

Glad you did it yourself. Quite easy actually once you get past the fear of the unknown...I always pull both shafts with the carrier bearing so I can inspect & grease all three joints and the carrier bearing. Good on ya!

[bigmac73]

The last time i did them with a hammer and a socket , i was out in the middle of a hay field and blew out my thumb,
Well some electrical tape and a oily rag and a marlborl after about 15 mins of cussing and dancing I got back to work, after that i just take them to the shop and have them taken out and put in