How in the world do you get the U-joints out? I have an aluminum shaft and I don't have that U-shaped tool the book says to use. What can I do?

 

if they're the original u joint gm puts a liguid plastic in and lets it harden for a retainer. you should be a ble to see a little tab of it sticking out a hole in the side of the hole the bearing cap goes through. heat it up with a torch and the plastic stuff will squirt out. after it's all done squirting out it'll be a lot easier to get out.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

I don't think the aluminum shafts had the plastic filler, since the alum shaft had Spicer U joints. I guess you have the problem with pusing the U joint to one side and still the yoke cap not coming off due to interference with the shaft. Keep working the U joint back and forth and atempt to grab the cap with some pliers. Hope this is your problem???

 

Sort of, I got the snap rings off the end caps. I can't get the caps off though! How is it done? I've tried prying, cutting the washer a bit and still no result. What else can I do?

 

Big socket, little socket and a vise = U-joint press
Smack shaft ear lightly while under pressure if nessacary

If above doesn't work warm u-joint end to expand aluminum and try again

Reinstall new ones with light coating of anti-sieze to avoid same problem in the future

[This message has been edited by 87RS402 (edited January 17, 2001).]