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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Farm boy on June 29, 2012, 01:13:29 pm
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I have a really dumb question. How do you take the u joints out of the t-case yoke/drive shaft? As you can tell from my other recent threads I am changing the trans/t-case on my 86 k10, but i need to disconnect the drive shaft but evidently I'm missing some info :-\
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Index the drive shaft to the rear end with chalk/paint. Unbolt the drive shaft from the rear end. Use a pry bar to pop that end out of the yoke. Be careful not to let the caps fall off. Tape the caps onto the universal to protect them if you are reusing that joint. Slide the front yoke out of the transfer case. Some transmission fluid might leak out of your transfer case so have a pan ready. If your universal joint is not factory then it will have c-clips on the inside of the yoke to hold the caps in. Remove those and pound the joint out forcing each cap to the outside. If your universal is factory still there will be a plastic injection in the yoke to hold the cap in instead of clips. Use a torch to heat the yoke up and that injection will come out like a turd. Wear safety glasses, I have had that plastic come shooting out on occasion. Then remove the universal joint. You will need a good vice, real hammer, punch, and a cold beer for afterwards.
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A ball joint press works way better than a hammer, and is less likly to damage the shaft.
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ok well i think i'll start on that tomorrow since it just got done raining. So what do you mean by "index the drive shaft to the rear end with chalk/paint"? Careful on your needed tools; i'm still a minor ;D hehe
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So what do you mean by "index the drive shaft to the rear end with chalk/paint"?
Mark the drive shaft so that you put it back in the same way to lessen the chance of vibration.
A ball joint press works way better than a hammer, and is less likly to damage the shaft.
True
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Ah ok that makes sense. I don't have a ball joint press so I guess I will make do with the hammer.