U-Joints & Drive Line Diagnostics: EVERYTHING "U" Ever Wanted to Know About Them...

[mrrsm]

This Seven Part Video Series from the Weber State University Department of Automotive Technology covers Everything you EVER wanted to know about Universal Joints and On The Vehicle - Hands On Drive-Line Vibration Problem Diagnostics, Measurements and Repairs… But were Afraid to Ask.

"Hell... It's just a "U" Joint Swap... Who needs Directions to Install them? What can possibly Go Wrong...?"

You'll be Surprised... As THESE Videos will reveal a Great Deal.

The series includes a comparison of Eight OEM vs. After-Market Companies including ACDelco, Moog and Autozone Duralast, etc... all involved with manufacturing these "U"nique, Highly Stressed Drive-Line Mechanical Components:

Part 1

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyAJdInryj8&list=PL5zHWEeKMRpqNlfEbul_HQnFHSOwP7VjQ&index=6

Part 7:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10BhHuwnQ7I

 

[TollKeeper]

I do need to replace the U-Joints on the Voy. Like 90% of the truck, they are still OEM at 194k miles.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

It takes the length of the first video to swap a u-joint, but some do like to have a bunch of random info.

For anyone that has not done one on our platform, you do need a torch to melt out the factory one. Not a big deal.

 

[Mooseman]

Good info as I'm getting ready to replace them on my TB. However, I can't find the adapter for GM, at least not on Amazon. I might just bring it to a driveline shop but then my experiences with shops have not been good lately. I have done a lots of u-joints and may just chance it doing it myself.

Those videos are loooooooong. I had to speed them up to 2x. Only watched ep. 2, 4 and 5. Most of it probably can't be useful to DIYers since most don't have dial indicators.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

What adapter?

 

[Mooseman]

The J9522-3 Spent-Moore. Instead of pushing on the cups, you push on the joint's trunion. I'm always afraid of distorting the yokes by pushing on the cups since they're sometimes in there real tight and rusty. I have done that once a long time ago and had to replace the drive shaft.

 

[BrianF]

It's been a few years but did them on mine. Lots of heat, lots and just used a large bench mounted vice. Wasn't bad but still not very fun.

 

[mrrsm]

Even with having a "Clean" Bench and a Few Bench Vises on hand for this work... Trying to wrangle with Drive Shafts and perform R&R s of "U" Joints can be like trying to pick up a Hysterical 2 Year Old in the Supermarket having a Full-On Crying Temper Tantrum.

Before having to struggle with using a Bench Vise, “C” Clamps or even a Hammer and some “sized” Impact Sockets to drive the “U” Joint Cups out on multiple Drive Shafts … for $77.40 + FREE S&H over on eBay… THIS tool (or one similar to it, if the size of this one is either too large or too small) looks like it would Make Life EZR and be a better option than the Pricey" Spent-Moore" versions:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338077216&icep_item=372843294231

 

[Mooseman]

Saw that tool on Amazon and watched a video on its use however it has the same problem as using the C-clamp type tool where it could distort the yoke if a bearing cup is seized and may be even worse since it uses the yoke's structure as the C. And I think it's pretty spendy for what it is.