axle shaft service

[gimpyrobb]

I took my front axle housing apart to clean it up and replace everything. The driver's side axle has a gritty sound when you move the Ujoint. Do these come apart like normal Ujoints? I took off the C clip retainer and found a socket that fit well. Tapped it with a hammer and it didn't want to budge. Am I missing something or do I just need a bigger hammer? I really want to clean it out and put new grease in there. Should I drill and tap it for a grease zerk?

 

[Stretch44875]

They came apart like regular u-joints for me. The u-joints were not cross-drilled, I guess you could drill the caps for zerks, not sure of the clearance in the knuckle.

 

[gimpyrobb]

The clearance is there, just not sure it wouldn't weaken the joint.

 

[ctmustang]

hey gimpy
it sounds like the u-joint is dried out. replace it now while you're there.

 

[gimpyrobb]

So I am pounding the pi$$ out of this Ujoint to try and remove it from the axle. I figured putting heat to it will screw up the hardening. I have used a C clamp with a big socket on one side and one the same diameter as the cap on the other side. Tried pounding it with a hammer. No movement(well maybe 1/8th). What am I missing? I don't want to destroy it since it only needs taken apart and cleaned(I think).

 

[73m819]

if it is dried out and you are getting a gritty sound, there is a very good chance that the u joint is history. the sound is from the grit that is made as the neddle bearings eat themself

 

[gimpyrobb]

Well, thats 2 votes for a bad Ujoint. Anyone know what size/model/number these are?

 

[docfarmall]

its bad gimp and its a extra large like me

 

[docfarmall]

its like a burgerking double wopper

 

[gringeltaube]

......... Do these come apart like normal Ujoints?..........

Yes, only.... bigger U-joints take a bigger hammer. Get a helper with another one holding alternatively against one eye, than against the other one.... or have him holding the shaft supporting the eye with the square horn of an anvil.... or or.....

Should I drill and tap it for a grease zerk?

Not so easy to tap, parts normally are heat treated! And I don't think it's necessary at all.

G.

 

[gimpyrobb]

You think heating the hoop would be a bad thing? I have been using a bigger hammer, like an 8 pounder.

 

[m16ty]

I replaced my pass. side u-joint a while back. I think I used my press but I don't remember it giving me any trouble. I got a replacement from offroadfabworks before he flew the coupe. It was a Rockwell joint and $42 I think. The new joint had a grease fitting in the cross but it would be a big job to ever grease it again.

If you need me to I can try and dig up the old invoice and see if it has a p/n on it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

If you know whaere it is, that would be nice. I am searching on google right now.

 

[m16ty]

Found the invoice but no p/n listed.

May check with some of the rockcrawler sites if you don't have any luck with surplus. Thanks to the rockcrawler guys the axles on our trucks have more aftermarket parts made for them than anything else on the truck.

I know I tried at the time to find a joint locally but came up with nothing. You can find one close but it seems to be an odd size.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Found it:

FRONT AXLE SHAFT U JOINT PART NUMBERS
Rockwell 750N
Precision U joint 898
GMB 230-0075
Size is 5 1/16" across X 1 5/8" caps

 

[m16ty]

You think heating the hoop would be a bad thing? I have been using a bigger hammer, like an 8 pounder.

Seems like the more I think about it I took a torch and cut the cross out and then removed the caps. I know I've done this before with other joints with no ill effects.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Well, I took it to my buddy's shop tonight and put it in the hydraulic press. Note to self, get or build a hydraulic press! Knocked it apart in 2 mins. I have cleaned the crap out of the caps(no blue metal means they were not roasted) everything looked good, and went together great. I used some ultra mega crimson grease, they should be good for a while.