front axle u joints

[rusty but trusty]

I have a 87 gmc v1500 and i go to votech and I'm doing balljoints and the front u joints are not too bad yet but i have the new ones and would like to change them but my teachers is telling me that the chances of getting old ones out without breaking axle shafts is very slim. does anyone have a idea that will get them out without breaking shafts. also they are the original u joints    and i don't reely have the money to buy new shafts

[Sartobuilt]

That would be silly to not replace them while you have it apart. you have to pull the shaft to remove the knockle to do the And you have the new ones already.  Never had a problem, or herd of, the shaft breaking while trying to change them.

[Engineer]

? ? ?

If you break an axle replacing the u-joint you did something VERY wrong.

Replace the ujoint now, there is no reason not to.

[thirsty]

my teachers is telling me that the chances of getting old ones out without breaking axle shafts is very slim.

Your teacher is wrong. Changing a universal joint is mechanics 101. They are made to change.

[rusty but trusty]

Your teacher is wrong. Changing a universal joint is mechanics 101.  They are made to change
Thirsty i agree with you it went fine

[pholliday1]

I am assuming your using u joints that are greasable? if so.... make sure when you press in the new joints that the zerk fitting is indexed so that when the axle is put back in the truck that you have easy access to the grease fitting. If you point the zerk fitting the wrong way it just makes greasing access that much harder.. just some insight from past mistakes..