Disassembling the universal joint??

[Flying Torquewrench]

I thought it would be a good idea to put some new grease into my rear driveshaft universal joint.

Unfortunately the moment the grease gun touched the grease nipple the nipple broke off. So now I am either going to have to change the whole universal joint or change the grease nipple. Obviously the latter one is the cheaper option but after 96000 miles it might not be a bad idea to change the universal joint.

But anyway before I get that far I first need to get the bloody thing apart. I have removed the snap rings but that is were it stops. The book says tap on the flange and the bearing caps should fall out but not on my car.

Does anybody have any advice on the easiest way to remove some stubborn bearing caps?? Thanks

 

[rayf3262]

A large vice and some suitably sized sockets will get it moving.

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

Thanks for that! :thumb2

Just found a website that advocates the same but only by using a C-clamp. Will give it a try and report back tomorrow.

 

[rustic]

Thanks for that! :thumb2

Just found a website that advocates the same but only by using a C-clamp. Will give it a try and report back tomorrow.

I have pressed out so many bearings using various sockets and "G " clamps, also a length of all thread with washers and nuts helps as well on others.

If you are using a "G" clamp, if you are putting a lot of force on it, place a towel or cloth over the assembly, some cheap clamps can shatter and send bits everywhere.

I used a "G" clamp once on a flywheel on an outboard motor, I kept increasing the force, then I placed a towel over it and lightly tapped the flywheel with a mallet......

There was one hell of a crack, and the flywheel had seperated and the "G" clamp was still ok.

I have a gear puller now, much simpler and easier to set up.
My 3 leg puller couldn't manage the diameter of the flywheel.

 

[Flying Torquewrench]

The universal joint has been taken apart and a new grease nipple has been fitted.

First attempt was with a G-clamp and this failed miserably. The bearing caps were to tight in the joint.

Second attempt was using a vice. Used a fairly big vice but still unable to get any movement. Not enough leverage with the normal handle so extended the handle with a bit of scaffold pipe the result, a bent handle.

Given up after two attempts and took it to a local garage. He managed to push the bearing caps out by using a 10 ton hydraulic press. In the end he removed all bearing caps, drilled out the remainder of the old grease nipple, installed new grease nipple and put it all back together for £10. :augie

Driveshaft now installed on the car.

Thanks for all your input.

FT

 

[Dynamics]

In the end he removed all bearing caps, drilled out the remainder of the old grease nipple, installed new grease nipple and put it all back together for £10. :augie

Blimey, you need to look after him.